1
|
Wieteska Ł, Taylor AB, Punch E, Coleman JA, Conway IO, Lin YF, Byeon CH, Hinck CS, Krzysiak T, Ishima R, López-Casillas F, Cherepanov P, Bernard DJ, Hill CS, Hinck AP. Structures of TGF-β with betaglycan and the signaling receptors reveal the mechanism whereby betaglycan potentiates receptor complex assembly and signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.19.604101. [PMID: 39091787 PMCID: PMC11291015 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.19.604101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Betaglycan (BG) is a transmembrane co-receptor of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family of signaling ligands. It is essential for embryonic development and tissue homeostasis and fertility in adults. It functions by enabling binding of the three TGF-β isoforms to their signaling receptors and is additionally required for inhibin A (InhA) activity. Despite its requirement for the functions of TGF-βs and InhA in vivo, structural information explaining BG ligand selectivity and its mechanism of action is lacking. Here, we determine the structure of TGF-β bound both to BG and the signaling receptors, TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. We identify key regions responsible for ligand engagement, which has revealed novel binding interfaces that differ from those described for the closely related co-receptor of the TGF-β family, endoglin, thus demonstrating remarkable evolutionary adaptation to enable ligand selectivity. Finally, we provide a structural explanation for the hand-off mechanism underlying TGF-β signal potentiation.
Collapse
|
2
|
Ding Z, Jiang M, Qian J, Gu D, Bai H, Cai M, Yao D. Role of transforming growth factor-β in peripheral nerve regeneration. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:380-386. [PMID: 37488894 PMCID: PMC10503632 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.377588] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Injuries caused by trauma and neurodegenerative diseases can damage the peripheral nervous system and cause functional deficits. Unlike in the central nervous system, damaged axons in peripheral nerves can be induced to regenerate in response to intrinsic cues after reprogramming or in a growth-promoting microenvironment created by Schwann cells. However, axon regeneration and repair do not automatically result in the restoration of function, which is the ultimate therapeutic goal but also a major clinical challenge. Transforming growth factor (TGF) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates various biological processes including tissue repair, embryo development, and cell growth and differentiation. There is accumulating evidence that TGF-β family proteins participate in peripheral nerve repair through various factors and signaling pathways by regulating the growth and transformation of Schwann cells; recruiting specific immune cells; controlling the permeability of the blood-nerve barrier, thereby stimulating axon growth; and inhibiting remyelination of regenerated axons. TGF-β has been applied to the treatment of peripheral nerve injury in animal models. In this context, we review the functions of TGF-β in peripheral nerve regeneration and potential clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Maorong Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiaxi Qian
- School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Dandan Gu
- School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Huiyuan Bai
- School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Min Cai
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Dengbing Yao
- School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ruggiero-Ruff RE, Le BH, Villa PA, Lainez NM, Athul SW, Das P, Ellsworth BS, Coss D. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Identifies Pituitary Gland Changes in Diet-Induced Obesity in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqad196. [PMID: 38146776 PMCID: PMC10791142 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a chronic disease with increasing prevalence worldwide. Obesity leads to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as endocrine alterations, reproductive disorders, changes in basal metabolism, and stress hormone production, all of which are regulated by the pituitary. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of pituitary glands from male mice fed control and high-fat diet (HFD) to determine obesity-mediated changes in pituitary cell populations and gene expression. We determined that HFD exposure is associated with dramatic changes in somatotrope and lactotrope populations, by increasing the proportion of somatotropes and decreasing the proportion of lactotropes. Fractions of other hormone-producing cell populations remained unaffected. Gene expression changes demonstrated that in HFD, somatotropes became more metabolically active, with increased expression of genes associated with cellular respiration, and downregulation of genes and pathways associated with cholesterol biosynthesis. Despite a lack of changes in gonadotrope fraction, genes important in the regulation of gonadotropin hormone production were significantly downregulated. Corticotropes and thyrotropes were the least affected in HFD, while melanotropes exhibited reduced proportion. Lastly, we determined that changes in plasticity and gene expression were associated with changes in hormone levels. Serum prolactin was decreased corresponding to reduced lactotrope fraction, while lower luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in the serum corresponded to a decrease in transcription and translation. Taken together, our study highlights diet-mediated changes in pituitary gland populations and gene expression that play a role in altered hormone levels in obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Ruggiero-Ruff
- Division of Biomedical Sciences; School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Brandon H Le
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Pedro A Villa
- Division of Biomedical Sciences; School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Nancy M Lainez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences; School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Sandria W Athul
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Pratyusa Das
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Buffy S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Djurdjica Coss
- Division of Biomedical Sciences; School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Brûlé E, Zhou X, Wang Y, Buddle ERS, Ongaro L, Loka M, Boelen A, Bernard DJ. The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis is intact in male insulin receptor substrate 4 knockout mice. Eur Thyroid J 2024; 13:ETJ-23-0054. [PMID: 38271814 PMCID: PMC10895334 DOI: 10.1530/etj-23-0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Loss of function mutations in the insulin receptor substrate 4 (IRS4) gene cause a rare form of X-linked congenital central hypothyroidism in boys and men. Affected individuals show decreased thyroid-stimulation hormone (TSH) secretion. Members of the IRS family canonically act as scaffold proteins between tyrosine kinase receptors and downstream effectors. How loss of IRS4 affects TSH synthesis or secretion is unresolved. We therefore assessed IRS4's role in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis of Irs4 knockout mice. METHODS We generated two global Irs4 knockout mouse lines harboring either two or four base-pair deletions that result in frameshifts and loss of most of the IRS4 protein. RESULTS Under normal laboratory conditions, Irs4 knockout males did not exhibit impairments in pituitary expression of TSH subunit genes (Tshb or Cga) or in the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor. Additionally, their serum thyroid hormone, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), and hypothalamic Trh expression levels were normal. When Irs4 knockouts were rendered hypothyroid with a low-iodine diet supplemented with propylthiouracil (PTU) for 3 weeks, their serum TSH increased similarly to wild-type males. CONCLUSIONS Overall, Irs4 knockout mice do not exhibit central hypothyroidism or otherwise appear to phenocopy IRS4 deficient patients. Compensation by another IRS protein may explain euthyroidism in these animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Brûlé
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Evan R S Buddle
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mary Loka
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anita Boelen
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang L, Li H, Tang B, Zhao X, Wu Y, Jiang T, Yao Y, Li J, Yao Y, Wang L. Genomic signatures reveal selection in Chinese and European domesticated geese. Anim Genet 2023; 54:763-771. [PMID: 37726929 DOI: 10.1111/age.13351] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The Swan goose and Greylag goose are species of geese native to East Asia and Europe, respectively, and are widely believed to be the ancestors of Chinese and European domesticated geese. The Yili goose (YL) and European domestic geese originated from the Greylag goose, but the history of domestication is unclear. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the genome of the YL goose and the Hortobagy goose to combine with other previously sequenced goose populations for in-depth analysis. The population genetic variations in Stone geese, East Zhejiang White Geese, Taihu geese and Zi geese were also identified and compared. The results showed that admixture gene flow existed in the YL geese population, which was introgressed by Chinese geese, suggesting that gene flow events were frequent and widespread among domesticated geese. Further selected sweep analysis identified candidate genes and metabolic pathways that may be related to the differences in morphology. Several genes such as TGFBR3L, CMYA5, FOXD1, ARHGEF28 and SUCLG2 are associated with growth, reproduction and fertility traits. The results of this study will help to understand the genetic characteristics of domestic geese and the genes affecting important traits and provide a basis for the improved breed of domestic geese.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Haiying Li
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Bihui Tang
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yingping Wu
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Teng Jiang
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yingying Yao
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yang Yao
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Lin Wang
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Borgini M, Wieteska Ł, Hinck CS, Krzysiak T, Hinck AP, Wipf P. Synthesis of 13C-methyl-labeled amino acids and their incorporation into proteins in mammalian cells. Org Biomol Chem 2023; 21:9216-9229. [PMID: 37964666 PMCID: PMC10825848 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob01320k] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Isotopic labeling of methyl-substituted proteinogenic amino acids with 13C has transformed applications of solution-based NMR spectroscopy and allowed the study of much larger and more complex proteins than previously possible with 15N labeling. Procedures are well-established for producing methyl-labeled proteins expressed in bacteria, with efficient incorporation of 13C-methyl labeled metabolic precursors to enable the isotopic labeling of Ile, Val, and Leu methyl groups. Recently, similar methodology has been applied to enable 13C-methyl labeling of Ile, Val, and Leu in yeast, extending the approach to proteins that do not readily fold when produced in bacteria. Mammalian or insect cells are nonetheless preferable for production of many human proteins, yet 13C-methyl labeling using similar metabolic precursors is not feasible as these cells lack the requisite biosynthetic machinery. Herein, we report versatile and high-yielding synthetic routes to 13C methyl-labeled amino acids based on palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)-H functionalization. We demonstrate the efficient incorporation of two of the synthesized amino acids, 13C-γ2-Ile and 13C-γ1,γ2-Val, into human receptor extracellular domains with multiple disulfides using suspension-cultured HEK293 cells. Production costs are reasonable, even at moderate expression levels of 2-3 mg purified protein per liter of medium, and the method can be extended to label other methyl groups, such as 13C-δ1-Ile and 13C-δ1,δ2-Leu. In summary, we demonstrate the cost-effective production of methyl-labeled proteins in mammalian cells by incorporation of 13C methyl-labeled amino acids generated de novo by a versatile synthetic route.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Borgini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | - Łukasz Wieteska
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | - Cynthia S Hinck
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | - Troy Krzysiak
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | - Andrew P Hinck
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | - Peter Wipf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ramírez-Vidal L, Molina-Villa T, Mendoza V, Peralta-Álvarez CA, Poot-Hernández AC, Dotov D, López-Casillas F. Betaglycan promoter activity is differentially regulated during myogenesis in zebrafish embryo somites. Dev Dyn 2023; 252:1162-1179. [PMID: 37222488 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Betaglycan, also known as the TGFβ type III receptor (Tgfbr3), is a co-receptor that modulates TGFβ family signaling. Tgfbr3 is upregulated during C2C12 myoblast differentiation and expressed in mouse embryos myocytes. RESULTS To investigate tgfbr3 transcriptional regulation during zebrafish embryonic myogenesis, we cloned a 3.2 kb promoter fragment that drives reporter transcription during C2C12 myoblasts differentiation and in the Tg(tgfbr3:mCherry) transgenic zebrafish. We detect tgfbr3 protein and mCherry expression in the adaxial cells concomitantly with the onset of their radial migration to become slow-twitch muscle fibers in the Tg(tgfbr3:mCherry). Remarkably, this expression displays a measurable antero-posterior somitic gradient expression. CONCLUSIONS tgfbr3 is transcriptionally regulated during somitic muscle development in zebrafish with an antero-posterior gradient expression that preferentially marks the adaxial cells and their descendants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lizbeth Ramírez-Vidal
- Departmento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Tonatiuh Molina-Villa
- Departmento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Valentín Mendoza
- Departmento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Dobromir Dotov
- Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Fernando López-Casillas
- Departmento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hamang M, Yaden B, Dai G. Gastrointestinal pharmacology activins in liver health and disease. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 214:115668. [PMID: 37364623 PMCID: PMC11234865 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115668] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Activins are a subgroup of the TGFβ superfamily of growth and differentiation factors, dimeric in nature and consisting of two inhibin beta subunits linked via a disulfide bridge. Canonical activin signaling occurs through Smad2/3, with negative feedback initiated by Smad6/7 following signal transduction, which binds activin type I receptor preventing phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and activation of downstream signaling. In addition to Smad6/7, other inhibitors of activin signaling have been identified as well, including inhibins (dimers of an inhibin alpha and beta subunit), BAMBI, Cripto, follistatin, and follistatin-like 3 (fstl3). To date, activins A, B, AB, C, and E have been identified and isolated in mammals, with activin A and B having the most characterization of biological activity. Activin A has been implicated as a regulator of several important functions of liver biology, including hepatocyte proliferation and apoptosis, ECM production, and liver regeneration; the role of other subunits of activin in liver physiology are less understood. There is mounting data to suggest a link between dysregulation of activins contributing to various hepatic diseases such as inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and emerging studies demonstrating the protective and regenerative effects of inhibiting activins in mouse models of liver disease. Due to their importance in liver biology, activins demonstrate utility as a therapeutic target for the treatment of hepatic diseases such as cirrhosis, NASH, NAFLD, and HCC; further research regarding activins may provide diagnostic or therapeutic opportunity for those suffering from various liver diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hamang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Benjamin Yaden
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Guoli Dai
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Han X, Xia X, Chen W, Meng F, Cao X, Bu G, Gan T, Du X, Liang Q, Zeng X. Efficacy of Immunization against a Novel Synthetic 13-Amino Acid Betaglycan-Binding Peptide Sequence of Inhibin α Subunit on Promoting Fertility in Female Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24086914. [PMID: 37108077 PMCID: PMC10138769 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibins suppress the FSH production in pituitary gonadotrope cells by robustly antagonizing activin signaling by competitively binding to activin type II receptors (ACTR II). The binding of inhibin A to ACTR II requires the presence of its co-receptor, namely, betaglycan. In humans, the critical binding site for betaglycan to inhibin A was identified on the inhibin α subunit. Through conservation analysis, we found that a core 13-amino-acid peptide sequence <VRTTSDGGYSFKY> within the betaglycan-binding epitope on human inhibin α subunit is highly conserved across species. Based on the tandem sequence of such a conserved 13-amino-acid betaglycan-binding epitope (INHα13AA-T), we developed a novel inhibin vaccine and tested its efficacy in promoting female fertility using the female rat as a model. Compared with placebo-immunized controls, INHα13AA-T immunization induced a marked (p < 0.05) antibody generation, enhanced (p < 0.05) ovarian follicle development, and increased ovulation rate and litter sizes. Mechanistically, INHα13AA-T immunization promoted (p < 0.05) pituitary Fshb transcription and increased (p < 0.05) serum FSH and 17β-estradiol concentrations. In summary, active immunization against INHα13AA-T potently increased FSH levels, ovarian follicle development, ovulation rate and litter sizes, thus causing super-fertility in females. Therefore, immunization against INHα13AA is a promising alternative to the conventional approach of multiple ovulation and super-fertility in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingfa Han
- Isotope Research Lab, College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Xue Xia
- Isotope Research Lab, College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Weihao Chen
- Isotope Research Lab, College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Fengyan Meng
- Isotope Research Lab, College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Xiaohan Cao
- Isotope Research Lab, College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Guixian Bu
- Isotope Research Lab, College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Tian Gan
- Isotope Research Lab, College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Xiaogang Du
- Isotope Research Lab, College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Qiuxia Liang
- Isotope Research Lab, College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Xianyin Zeng
- Isotope Research Lab, College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kolnes AJ, Øystese KAB, Sjöstedt E, Olarescu NC, Heck A, Pahnke J, Dahlberg D, Berg-Johnsen J, Ringstad G, Casar-Borota O, Bollerslev J, Jørgensen AP. TGFBR3L is associated with gonadotropin production in non-functioning gonadotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumours. Pituitary 2023:10.1007/s11102-023-01310-x. [PMID: 36952069 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-023-01310-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Transforming growth factor-beta receptor 3-like (TGFBR3L) is a pituitary enriched membrane protein selectively detected in gonadotroph cells. TGFBR3L is named after transforming growth factor-beta receptor 3 (TGFBR3), an inhibin A co-receptor in mice, due to sequence identity to the C-terminal region. We aimed to characterize TGFBR3L detection in a well-characterized, prospectively collected cohort of non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (NF-PitNETs) and correlate it to clinical data. METHODS 144 patients operated for clinically NF-PitNETs were included. Clinical, radiological and biochemical data were recorded. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for FSHβ and LHβ was scored using the immunoreactive score (IRS), TGFBR3L and TGFBR3 were scored by the percentage of positive stained cells. RESULTS TGFBR3L staining was selectively present in 52% of gonadotroph tumours. TGFBR3L was associated to IRS of LHβ (median 2 [IQR 0-3] in TGFBR3L negative and median 6 [IQR 3-9] in TGFBR3L positive tumours, p < 0.001), but not to the IRS of FSHβ (p = 0.32). The presence of TGFBR3L was negatively associated with plasma gonadotropin concentrations in males (P-FSH median 5.5 IU/L [IQR 2.9-9.6] and median 3.0 [IQR 1.8-5.6] in TGFBR3L negative and positive tumours respectively, p = 0.008) and P-LH (median 2.8 IU/L [IQR 1.9-3.7] and median 1.8 [IQR 1.1-3.0] in TGFBR3L negative and positive tumours respectively, p = 0.03). TGFBR3 stained positive in 22% (n = 25) of gonadotroph tumours with no correlation to TGFBR3L. CONCLUSION TGFBR3L was selectively detected in half (52%) of gonadotroph NF-PitNETs. The association to LHβ staining and plasma gonadotropins suggests that TGFBR3L may be involved in hormone production in gonadotroph NF-PitNETs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anders Jensen Kolnes
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0372, Oslo, Norway
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin Astrid Berland Øystese
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0372, Oslo, Norway.
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Evelina Sjöstedt
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nicoleta Cristina Olarescu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0372, Oslo, Norway
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ansgar Heck
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0372, Oslo, Norway
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jens Pahnke
- Department of Pathology, Section of Neuropathology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Pahnke lab (Drug Discovery and Chemical Biology), Lübeck Institute of Dermatology, LIED, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia
| | - Daniel Dahlberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Berg-Johnsen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0372, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Geir Ringstad
- Department of Radiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olivera Casar-Borota
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jens Bollerslev
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0372, Oslo, Norway
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Palmstrøm Jørgensen
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Evans ET, Horst B, Arend RC, Mythreye K. Evolving roles of activins and inhibins in ovarian cancer pathophysiology. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C428-C437. [PMID: 36622068 PMCID: PMC9902228 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00178.2022] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Activins and inhibins are unique members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) family of growth factors, with the ability to exert autocrine, endocrine, and paracrine effects in a wide range of complex physiologic and pathologic processes. Although first isolated within the pituitary, emerging evidence suggests broader influence beyond reproductive development and function. Known roles of activin and inhibin in angiogenesis and immunity along with correlations between gene expression and cancer prognosis suggest potential roles in tumorigenesis. Here, we present a review of the current understanding of the biological role of activins and inhibins as it relates to ovarian cancers, summarizing the underlying signaling mechanisms and physiologic influence, followed by detailing their roles in cancer progression, diagnosis, and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T Evans
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ben Horst
- Department of Pathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Rebecca C Arend
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Karthikeyan Mythreye
- Department of Pathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kappes EC, Kattamuri C, Czepnik M, Yarawsky AE, Brûlé E, Wang Y, Ongaro L, Herr AB, Walton KL, Bernard DJ, Thompson TB. Follistatin Forms a Stable Complex With Inhibin A That Does Not Interfere With Activin A Antagonism. Endocrinology 2023; 164:7010688. [PMID: 36718082 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Inhibins are transforming growth factor-β family heterodimers that suppress follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion by antagonizing activin class ligands. Inhibins share a common β chain with activin ligands. Follistatin is another activin antagonist, known to bind the common β chain of both activins and inhibins. In this study, we characterized the antagonist-antagonist complex of inhibin A and follistatin to determine if their interaction impacted activin A antagonism. We isolated the inhibin A:follistatin 288 complex, showing that it forms in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio, different from previously reported homodimeric ligand:follistatin complexes, which bind in a 1:2 ratio. Small angle X-ray scattering coupled with modeling provided a low-resolution structure of inhibin A in complex with follistatin 288. Inhibin binds follistatin via the shared activin β chain, leaving the α chain free and flexible. The inhibin A:follistatin 288 complex was also shown to bind heparin with lower affinity than follistatin 288 alone or in complex with activin A. Characterizing the inhibin A:follistatin 288 complex in an activin-responsive luciferase assay and by surface plasmon resonance indicated that the inhibitor complex readily dissociated upon binding type II receptor activin receptor type IIb, allowing both antagonists to inhibit activin signaling. Additionally, injection of the complex in ovariectomized female mice did not alter inhibin A suppression of FSH. Taken together, this study shows that while follistatin binds to inhibin A with a substochiometric ratio relative to the activin homodimer, the complex can dissociate readily, allowing both proteins to effectively antagonize activin signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Kappes
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Chandramohan Kattamuri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Magdalena Czepnik
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Emilie Brûlé
- Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Andrew B Herr
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kelly L Walton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas B Thompson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Intronic Enhancer Is Essential for Nr5a1 Expression in the Pituitary Gonadotrope and for Postnatal Development of Male Reproductive Organs in a Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010192. [PMID: 36613635 PMCID: PMC9820228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1) is expressed in the pituitary gonadotrope and regulates their differentiation. Although several regulatory regions were implicated in Nr5a1 gene expression in the pituitary gland, none of these regions have been verified using mouse models. Furthermore, the molecular functions of NR5A1 in the pituitary gonadotrope have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we generated mice lacking the pituitary enhancer located in the 6th intron of the Nr5a1 gene. These mice showed pituitary gland-specific disappearance of NR5A1, confirming the functional importance of the enhancer. Enhancer-deleted male mice demonstrated no defects at fetal stages. Meanwhile, androgen production decreased markedly in adult, and postnatal development of reproductive organs, such as the seminal vesicle, prostate, and penis was severely impaired. We further performed transcriptomic analyses of the whole pituitary gland of the enhancer-deleted mice and controls, as well as gonadotropes isolated from Ad4BP-BAC-EGFP mice. These analyses identified several genes showing gonadotrope-specific, NR5A1-dependent expressions, such as Spp1, Tgfbr3l, Grem1, and Nr0b2. These factors are thought to function downstream of NR5A1 and play important roles in reproductive organ development through regulation of pituitary gonadotrope functions.
Collapse
|
14
|
Lin YF, Schang G, Buddle ERS, Schultz H, Willis TL, Ruf-Zamojski F, Zamojski M, Mendelev N, Boehm U, Sealfon SC, Andoniadou CL, Bernard DJ. Steroidogenic Factor 1 Regulates Transcription of the Inhibin B Coreceptor in Pituitary Gonadotrope Cells. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6661776. [PMID: 35957608 PMCID: PMC9761571 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The inhibins control reproduction by suppressing follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis in pituitary gonadotrope cells. The newly discovered inhibin B coreceptor, TGFBR3L, is selectively and highly expressed in gonadotropes in both mice and humans. Here, we describe our initial characterization of mechanisms controlling cell-specific Tgfbr3l/TGFBR3L transcription. We identified two steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1 or NR5A1) cis-elements in the proximal Tgfbr3l promoter in mice. SF-1 induction of murine Tgfbr3l promoter-reporter activity was inhibited by mutations in one or both sites in heterologous cells. In homologous cells, mutation of these cis-elements or depletion of endogenous SF-1 similarly decreased reporter activity. We observed nearly identical results when using a human TGFBR3L promoter-reporter. The Tgfbr3l gene was tightly compacted and Tgfbr3l mRNA expression was essentially absent in gonadotropes of SF-1 (Nr5a1) conditional knockout mice. During murine embryonic development, Tgfbr3l precedes Nr5a1 expression, though the two transcripts are fully colocalized by embryonic day 18.5 and thereafter. Collectively, these data indicate that SF-1 directly regulates Tgfbr3l/TGFBR3L transcription and is required for postnatal expression of the gene in gonadotropes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeu-Farn Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Evan R S Buddle
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Hailey Schultz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Thea L Willis
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Frederique Ruf-Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Michel Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Natalia Mendelev
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Stuart C Sealfon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Cynthia L Andoniadou
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Correspondence: Daniel J. Bernard, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Constantin S, Bjelobaba I, Stojilkovic SS. Pituitary gonadotroph-specific patterns of gene expression and hormone secretion. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2022; 66:102274. [PMID: 35994915 PMCID: PMC9509429 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary gonadotrophs play a key role in reproductive functions by secreting luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The LH secretory activity of gonadotroph is controlled by hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) via GnRH receptors and is accompanied by only minor effects on high basal Lhb gene expression. The secretory profiles of GnRH and LH are highly synchronized, with the latter reflecting a depletion of prestored LH in secretory vesicles by regulated exocytosis. In contrast, FSH is predominantly released by constitutive exocytosis, and secretory activity reflects the kinetics of Fshb gene expression controlled by GnRH, activin, and inhibin. Here is a review of recent data to improve the understanding of multiple patterns of gonadotroph gene expression and hormone secretion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Constantin
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ivana Bjelobaba
- Department for Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Stanko S Stojilkovic
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Body mass index, genetic susceptibility, and Alzheimer's disease: a longitudinal study based on 475,813 participants from the UK Biobank. J Transl Med 2022; 20:417. [PMID: 36085169 PMCID: PMC9463868 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03621-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between body mass index (BMI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains controversial. Genetic and environmental factors are now considered contributors to AD risk. However, little is known about the potential interaction between genetic risk and BMI on AD risk. OBJECTIVE To study the causal relationship between BMI and AD, and the potential interaction between AD genetic risk and BMI on AD risk. METHODS AND RESULTS Using the UK Biobank database, 475,813 participants were selected for an average follow-up time of more than 10 years. MAIN FINDINGS 1) there was a nonlinear relationship between BMI and AD risk in participants aged 60 years or older (p for non-linear < 0.001), but not in participants aged 37-59 years (p for non-linear = 0.717) using restricted cubic splines; 2) for participants aged 60 years and older, compared with the BMI (23-30 kg/m2) group, the BMI (< 23 kg/m2) group was associated with a higher AD risk (HR = 1.585; 95% CI 1.304-1.928, p < 0.001) and the BMI (> 30 kg/m2) group was associated with a lower AD risk (HR = 0.741; 95% CI 0.618-0.888, p < 0.01) analyzed using the Cox proportional risk model; 3) participants with a combination of high AD genetic risk score (AD-GRS) and BMI (< 23 kg/m2) were associated with the highest AD risk (HR = 3.034; 95% CI 2.057-4.477, p < 0.001). In addition, compared with the BMI (< 23 kg/m2), the higher BMI was associated with a lower risk of AD in participants with the same intermediate or high AD-GRS; 4) there was a reverse causality between BMI and AD when analyzed using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR). CONCLUSION There was a reverse causality between BMI and AD analyzed using MR. For participants aged 60 years and older, the higher BMI was associated with a lower risk of AD in participants with the same intermediate or high AD genetic risk. BMI (23-30 kg/m2) may be a potential intervention for AD.
Collapse
|
17
|
Walton KL, Goney MP, Peppas Z, Stringer JM, Winship A, Hutt K, Goodchild G, Maskey S, Chan KL, Brûlé E, Bernard DJ, Stocker WA, Harrison CA. Inhibin Inactivation in Female Mice Leads to Elevated FSH Levels, Ovarian Overstimulation, and Pregnancy Loss. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6543938. [PMID: 35255139 PMCID: PMC9272799 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Inhibins are members of the transforming growth factor-β family, composed of a common α-subunit disulfide-linked to 1 of 2 β-subunits (βA in inhibin A or βB in inhibin B). Gonadal-derived inhibin A and B act in an endocrine manner to suppress the synthesis of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by pituitary gonadotrope cells. Roles for inhibins beyond the pituitary, however, have proven difficult to delineate because deletion of the inhibin α-subunit gene (Inha) results in unconstrained expression of activin A and activin B (homodimers of inhibin β-subunits), which contribute to gonadal tumorigenesis and lethal cachectic wasting. Here, we generated mice with a single point mutation (Arg233Ala) in Inha that prevents proteolytic processing and the formation of bioactive inhibin. In vitro, this mutation blocked inhibin maturation and bioactivity, without perturbing activin production. Serum FSH levels were elevated 2- to 3-fold in InhaR233A/R233A mice due to the loss of negative feedback from inhibins, but no pathological increase in circulating activins was observed. While inactivation of inhibin A and B had no discernible effect on male reproduction, female InhaR233A/R233A mice had increased FSH-dependent follicle development and enhanced natural ovulation rates. Nevertheless, inhibin inactivation resulted in significant embryo-fetal resorptions and severe subfertility and was associated with disrupted maternal ovarian function. Intriguingly, heterozygous Inha+/R233A females had significantly enhanced fecundity, relative to wild-type littermates. These studies have revealed novel effects of inhibins in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and demonstrated that partial inactivation of inhibin A/B is an attractive approach for enhancing female fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Walton
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Correspondence: Kelly L Walton, PhD, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia 4072.
| | - Monica P Goney
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Zoe Peppas
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Jessica M Stringer
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Amy Winship
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Karla Hutt
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Georgia Goodchild
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Shreya Maskey
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Karen L Chan
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Emilie Brûlé
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - William A Stocker
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Craig A Harrison
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Correspondence: Craig A Harrison, PhD, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia 3168.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Houston BJ, O'Connor AE, Wang D, Goodchild G, Merriner DJ, Luan H, Conrad DF, Nagirnaja L, Aston KI, Kliesch S, Wyrwoll MJ, Friedrich C, Tüttelmann F, Harrison C, O'Bryan MK, Walton K. Human INHBB Gene Variant (c.1079T>C:p.Met360Thr) Alters Testis Germ Cell Content, but Does Not Impact Fertility in Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6504015. [PMID: 35022746 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Testicular-derived inhibin B (α/β B dimers) acts in an endocrine manner to suppress pituitary production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), by blocking the actions of activins (β A/B/β A/B dimers). Previously, we identified a homozygous genetic variant (c.1079T>C:p.Met360Thr) arising from uniparental disomy of chromosome 2 in the INHBB gene (β B-subunit of inhibin B and activin B) in a man suffering from infertility (azoospermia). In this study, we aimed to test the causality of the p.Met360Thr variant in INHBB and testis function. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate InhbbM364T/M364T mice, where mouse INHBB p.Met364 corresponds with human p.Met360. Surprisingly, we found that the testes of male InhbbM364T/M364T mutant mice were significantly larger compared with those of aged-matched wildtype littermates at 12 and 24 weeks of age. This was attributed to a significant increase in Sertoli cell and round spermatid number and, consequently, seminiferous tubule area in InhbbM364T/M364T males compared to wildtype males. Despite this testis phenotype, male InhbbM364T/M364T mutant mice retained normal fertility. Serum hormone analyses, however, indicated that the InhbbM364T variant resulted in reduced circulating levels of activin B but did not affect FSH production. We also examined the effect of this p.Met360Thr and an additional INHBB variant (c.314C>T: p.Thr105Met) found in another infertile man on inhibin B and activin B in vitro biosynthesis. We found that both INHBB variants resulted in a significant disruption to activin B in vitro biosynthesis. Together, this analysis supports that INHBB variants that limit activin B production have consequences for testis composition in males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Houston
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Degang Wang
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- The Affiliated Zhongshan Boai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China
| | - Georgia Goodchild
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Haitong Luan
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Don F Conrad
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative, GEMINI, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative, GEMINI, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kenneth I Aston
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative, GEMINI, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Surgery (Urology Division) University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Margot J Wyrwoll
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Craig Harrison
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Kelly Walton
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Azumah R, Liu M, Hummitzsch K, Bastian NA, Hartanti MD, Irving-Rodgers HF, Anderson RA, Rodgers RJ. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:1244-1254. [PMID: 35413103 PMCID: PMC9156849 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Could changes in transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signalling during foetal ovary development alter the expression of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) candidate genes leading to a predisposition to PCOS? SUMMARY ANSWER TGFβ signalling molecules are dynamically expressed during foetal ovary development and TGFβ1 inhibits expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and 7 (INSR, C8H9orf3, RAD50, ERBB3, NEIL2, IRF1 and ZBTB16) of the 25 PCOS candidate genes in foetal ovarian fibroblasts in vitro, whilst increasing expression of the AR cofactor TGFβ-induced transcript 1 (TGFB1I1 or Hic5). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The ovarian stroma arises from the mesonephros during foetal ovary development. Changes in the morphology of the ovarian stroma are cardinal features of PCOS. The ovary is more fibrous and has more tunica and cortical and subcortical stroma. It is not known why this is and when this arises. PCOS has a foetal origin and perhaps ovarian stroma development is altered during foetal life to determine the formation of a polycystic ovary later in life. PCOS also has a genetic origin with 19 loci containing 25 PCOS candidate genes. In many adult tissues, TGFβ is known to stimulate fibroblast replication and collagen deposition in stroma, though it has the opposite effect in the non-scaring foetal tissues. Our previous studies showed that TGFβ signalling molecules [TGFβs and their receptors, latent TGFβ binding proteins (LTBPs) and fibrillins, which are extracellular matrix proteins that bind LTBPs] are expressed in foetal ovaries. Also, we previously showed that TGFβ1 inhibited expression of AR and 3 PCOS candidate genes (INSR, C8H9orf3 and RAD50) and stimulated expression of TGFB1I1 in cultured foetal ovarian fibroblasts. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We used Bos taurus for this study as we can ethically collect foetal ovaries from across the full 9-month gestational period. Foetal ovaries (62–276 days, n = 19) from across gestation were collected from pregnant B. taurus cows for RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses. Foetal ovaries from B. taurus cows were collected (160–198 days, n = 6) for culture of ovarian fibroblasts. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS RNA-seq transcriptome profiling was performed on foetal ovaries and the data on genes involved in TGFβ signalling were extracted. Cells were dispersed from foetal ovaries and fibroblasts cultured and treated with TGFβ1. The effects of TGFβ regulation on the remaining eight PCOS candidate genes not previously studied (ERBB3, MAPRE1, FDFT1, NEIL2, ARL14EP, PLGRKT, IRF1 and ZBTB16) were examined. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Many TGFβ signalling molecules are expressed in the foetal ovary, and for most, their expression levels increased accross gestation (LTBP1/2/3/4, FBN1, TGFB2/3, TGFBR2/3 and TGFB1I1), while a few decreased (FBN3, TGFBR3L, TGFBI and TGFB1) and others remained relatively constant (TGFBRAP1, TGFBR1 and FBN2). TGFβ1 significantly decreased expression of PCOS candidate genes ERBB3, NEIL2, IRF1 and ZBTB16 in cultured foetal ovarian fibroblasts. LARGE SCALE DATA The FASTQ files, normalized data and experimental information have been deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) accessible by accession number GSE178450. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Regulation of PCOS candidate genes by TGFβ was carried out in vitro and further studies in vivo are required. This study was carried out in bovine where foetal ovaries from across all of the 9-month gestational period were available, unlike in the human where it is not ethically possible to obtain ovaries from the second half of gestation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS From our current and previous results we speculate that inhibition of TGFβ signalling in the foetal ovary is likely to (i) increase androgen sensitivity by enhancing expression of AR, (ii) increase stromal activity by stimulating expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1 and (iii) increase the expression of 7 of the 25 PCOS candidate genes. Thus inhibition of TGFβ signalling could be part of the aetiology of PCOS or at least the aetiology of polycystic ovaries. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Funding was received from Adelaide University China Fee Scholarship (M.L.), Australian Research Training Program (R.A.) and the Faculty of Health and Medical Science Divisional Scholarship (R.A.), Adelaide Graduate Research Scholarships (R.A. and N.A.B.), Australia Awards Scholarship (M.D.H.), Robinson Research Institute Career Development Fellowship (K.H.) and Building On Ideas Grant (K.H.), National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Centre for Research Excellence in the Evaluation, Management and Health Care Needs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (N.A.B., M.D.H. and R.J.R.; GTN1078444) and the Centre for Research Excellence on Women’s Health in Reproductive life (R.A., R.J.R. and K.H.; GTN1171592) and the UK Medical Research Council (R.A.A.; grant no. G1100357). The funders did not play any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. The authors of this manuscript have nothing to declare and no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katja Hummitzsch
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nicole A Bastian
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Monica D Hartanti
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Helen F Irving-Rodgers
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Raymond J Rodgers
- Correspondence address. Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Woodruff TK. Closing the loop on female fertility. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabn1373. [PMID: 34910506 PMCID: PMC11323799 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn1373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Discovery of a previously unidentified pituitary protein could provide innovative therapeutic options to regulate female fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa K Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|