1
|
Shimizu K, Negishi L, Kurumizaka H, Suzuki M. Diversification of von Willebrand Factor A and Chitin-Binding Domains in Pif/BMSPs Among Mollusks. J Mol Evol 2024; 92:415-431. [PMID: 38864871 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-024-10180-1] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Pif is a shell matrix protein (SMP) identified in the nacreous layer of Pinctada fucata (Pfu) comprised two proteins, Pif97 and Pif 80. Pif97 contains a von Willebrand factor A (VWA) and chitin-binding domains, whereas Pif80 can bind calcium carbonate crystals. The VWA domain is conserved in the SMPs of various mollusk species; however, their phylogenetic relationship remains obscure. Furthermore, although the VWA domain participates in protein-protein interactions, its role in shell formation has not been established. Accordingly, in the current study, we investigate the phylogenetic relationship between PfuPif and other VWA domain-containing proteins in major mollusk species. The shell-related proteins containing VWA domains formed a large clade (the Pif/BMSP family) and were classified into eight subfamilies with unique sequential features, expression patterns, and taxa diversity. Furthermore, a pull-down assay using recombinant proteins containing the VWA domain of PfuPif 97 revealed that the VWA domain interacts with five nacreous layer-related SMPs of P. fucata, including Pif 80 and nacrein. Collectively, these results suggest that the VWA domain is important in the formation of organic complexes and participates in shell mineralisation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Shimizu
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 2-15 Natsushima-Cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061, Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Lumi Negishi
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kurumizaka
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Michio Suzuki
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cao G, Yu L, Fang J, Shi R, Li H, Lu F, Shen X, Zhu X, Wang S, Kong N. ZP1-Y262C mutation causes abnormal zona pellucida formation and female infertility in humans. Front Genet 2024; 15:1407202. [PMID: 38966008 PMCID: PMC11222594 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1407202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Defective oocyte maturation is a common cause of female infertility. The loss of the zona pellucida (ZP) represents a specific condition of impaired oocyte maturation. The extracellular matrix known as the ZP envelops mammalian oocytes and preimplantation embryos, exerting significant influence on oogenesis, fertilization, and embryo implantation. However, the genetic factors leading to the loss of the ZP in oocytes are not well understood. This study focused on patients who underwent oocyte retrieval surgery after ovarian stimulation and were found to have abnormal oocyte maturation without the presence of the ZP. Ultrasonography was performed during the surgical procedure to evaluate follicle development. Peripheral blood samples from the patient were subjected to exome sequencing. Here, a novel, previously unreported heterozygous mutation in the ZP1 gene was identified. Within the ZP1 gene, we discovered a novel heterozygous mutation (ZP1 NM_207341.4:c.785A>G (p.Y262C)), specifically located in the trefoil domain. Bioinformatics comparisons further revealed conservation of the ZP1-Y262C mutation across different species. Model predictions of amino acid mutations on protein structure and cell immunofluorescence/western blot experiments collectively confirmed the detrimental effects of the ZP1-Y262C mutation on the function and expression of the ZP1 protein. The ZP1-Y262C mutation represents the novel mutation in the trefoil domain of the ZP1 protein, which is associated with defective oocyte maturation in humans. Our report enhances comprehension regarding the involvement of ZP-associated genes in female infertility and offers enriched understanding for the genetic diagnosis of this condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangyi Cao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lina Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junshun Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruixin Shi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Institute of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital for Life and Health, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huijun Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feifei Lu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyue Shen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Na Kong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang L, Ge R, Yang Y, Chen K, Li C. The zona pellucida protein piopio regulates the metamorphosis and reproduction in Tribolium castaneum. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 116:e22122. [PMID: 38783685 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The zona pellucida domain protein piopio (Pio) was only reported to mediate the adhesion of the apical epithelial surface and the overlying apical extracellular matrix in Drosophila melanogaster, but the developmental roles of Pio were poorly understood in insects. To address this issue, we comprehensively analyzed the function of Pio in Tribolium castaneum. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that pio exhibited one-to-one orthologous relationship among insects. T. castaneum pio had a 1236-bp ORF and contained eight exons. During development pio was abundantly expressed from larva to adult and lowly expressed at the late stage of embryo and adult, while it had more transcripts in the head, epidermis, and gut but fewer in the fat body of late-stage larvae. Knockdown of pio inhibited the pupation, eclosion, and reproduction of T. castaneum. The expression of vitellogenin 1 (Vg1), Vg2, and Vg receptor (VgR) largely decreased in pio-silenced female adults. Silencing pio increased the 20-hydroxyecdysone titer by upregulating phm and spo expression but decreased the juvenile hormone (JH) titer through downregulating JHAMT3 and promoting JHE, JHEH-r4, and JHDK transcription. These results suggested that Pio might regulate the metamorphosis and reproduction via modulating the ecdysone and JH metabolism in T. castaneum. This study found the novel roles of pio in insect metamorphosis and reproduction, and provided the new insights for analyzing other zona pellucida proteins functions in insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Runting Ge
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yanhua Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Keping Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Chengjun Li
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nishio S, Emori C, Wiseman B, Fahrenkamp D, Dioguardi E, Zamora-Caballero S, Bokhove M, Han L, Stsiapanava A, Algarra B, Lu Y, Kodani M, Bainbridge RE, Komondor KM, Carlson AE, Landreh M, de Sanctis D, Yasumasu S, Ikawa M, Jovine L. ZP2 cleavage blocks polyspermy by modulating the architecture of the egg coat. Cell 2024; 187:1440-1459.e24. [PMID: 38490181 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.013] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Following the fertilization of an egg by a single sperm, the egg coat or zona pellucida (ZP) hardens and polyspermy is irreversibly blocked. These events are associated with the cleavage of the N-terminal region (NTR) of glycoprotein ZP2, a major subunit of ZP filaments. ZP2 processing is thought to inactivate sperm binding to the ZP, but its molecular consequences and connection with ZP hardening are unknown. Biochemical and structural studies show that cleavage of ZP2 triggers its oligomerization. Moreover, the structure of a native vertebrate egg coat filament, combined with AlphaFold predictions of human ZP polymers, reveals that two protofilaments consisting of type I (ZP3) and type II (ZP1/ZP2/ZP4) components interlock into a left-handed double helix from which the NTRs of type II subunits protrude. Together, these data suggest that oligomerization of cleaved ZP2 NTRs extensively cross-links ZP filaments, rigidifying the egg coat and making it physically impenetrable to sperm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Nishio
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Chihiro Emori
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Benjamin Wiseman
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Dirk Fahrenkamp
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Elisa Dioguardi
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | - Marcel Bokhove
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Alena Stsiapanava
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Blanca Algarra
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mayo Kodani
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Rachel E Bainbridge
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kayla M Komondor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anne E Carlson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Shigeki Yasumasu
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pisciottano F, Campos MC, Penna C, Bruque CD, Gabaldón T, Saragüeta P. Positive selection in gamete interaction proteins in Carnivora. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17263. [PMID: 38318732 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17263] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The absence of robust interspecific isolation barriers among pantherines, including the iconic South American jaguar (Panthera onca), led us to study molecular evolution of typically rapidly evolving reproductive proteins within this subfamily and related groups. In this study, we delved into the evolutionary forces acting on the zona pellucida (ZP) gamete interaction protein family and the sperm-oocyte fusion protein pair IZUMO1-JUNO across the Carnivora order, distinguishing between Caniformia and Feliformia suborders and anticipating few significant diversifying changes in the Pantherinae subfamily. A chromosome-resolved jaguar genome assembly facilitated coding sequences, enabling the reconstruction of protein evolutionary histories. Examining sequence variability across more than 30 Carnivora species revealed that Feliformia exhibited significantly lower diversity compared to its sister taxa, Caniformia. Molecular evolution analyses of ZP2 and ZP3, subunits directly involved in sperm-recognition, unveiled diversifying positive selection in Feliformia, Caniformia and Pantherinae, although no significant changes were linked to sperm binding. Structural cross-linking ZP subunits, ZP4 and ZP1 exhibited lower levels or complete absence of positive selection. Notably, the fusion protein IZUMO1 displayed prominent positive selection signatures and sites in basal lineages of both Caniformia and Feliformia, extending along the Caniformia subtree but absent in Pantherinae. Conversely, JUNO did not exhibit any positive selection signatures across tested lineages and clades. Eight Caniformia-specific positive selected sites in IZUMO1 were detected within two JUNO-interaction clusters. Our findings provide for the first time insights into the evolutionary trajectories of ZP proteins and the IZUMO1-JUNO gamete interaction pair within the Carnivora order.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Pisciottano
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Clara Campos
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Clementina Penna
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos David Bruque
- Unidad de Conocimiento Traslacional Hospitalaria Patagónica, Hospital de Alta Complejidad El Calafate SAMIC, El Calafate, Santa Cruz, Argentina
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Saragüeta
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Feng X, Merilä J, Löytynoja A. Secondary Contact, Introgressive Hybridization, and Genome Stabilization in Sticklebacks. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae031. [PMID: 38366566 PMCID: PMC10903534 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae031] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Advances in genomic studies have revealed that hybridization in nature is pervasive and raised questions about the dynamics of different genetic and evolutionary factors following the initial hybridization event. While recent research has proposed that the genomic outcomes of hybridization might be predictable to some extent, many uncertainties remain. With comprehensive whole-genome sequence data, we investigated the genetic introgression between 2 divergent lineages of 9-spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius) in the Baltic Sea. We found that the intensity and direction of selection on the introgressed variation has varied across different genomic elements: while functionally important regions displayed reduced rates of introgression, promoter regions showed enrichment. Despite the general trend of negative selection, we identified specific genomic regions that were enriched for introgressed variants, and within these regions, we detected footprints of selection, indicating adaptive introgression. Geographically, we found the selection against the functional changes to be strongest in the vicinity of the secondary contact zone and weaken as a function of distance from the initial contact. Altogether, the results suggest that the stabilization of introgressed variation in the genomes is a complex, multistage process involving both negative and positive selection. In spite of the predominance of negative selection against introgressed variants, we also found evidence for adaptive introgression variants likely associated with adaptation to Baltic Sea environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueyun Feng
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Juha Merilä
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, The School of Biological Sciences, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Ari Löytynoja
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Niazi A, Kim JA, Kim DK, Lu D, Sterin I, Park J, Park S. Microvilli regulate the release modes of alpha-tectorin to organize the domain-specific matrix architecture of the tectorial membrane. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.04.574255. [PMID: 38260557 PMCID: PMC10802356 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.04.574255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The tectorial membrane (TM) is an apical extracellular matrix (ECM) in the cochlea essential for auditory transduction. The TM exhibits highly ordered domain-specific architecture. Alpha-tectorin/TECTA is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored ECM protein essential for TM organization. Here, we identified that TECTA is released by distinct modes: proteolytic shedding by TMPRSS2 and GPI-anchor-dependent release from the microvillus tip. In the medial/limbal domain, proteolytically shed TECTA forms dense fibers. In the lateral/body domain produced by the supporting cells displaying dense microvilli, the proteolytic shedding restricts TECTA to the microvillus tip and compartmentalizes the collagen-binding site. The tip-localized TECTA, in turn, is released in a GPI-anchor-dependent manner to form collagen-crosslinking fibers, required for maintaining the spacing and parallel organization of collagen fibrils. Overall, we showed that distinct release modes of TECTA determine the domain-specific organization pattern, and the microvillus coordinates the release modes along its membrane to organize the higher-order ECM architecture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ava Niazi
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Neuroscience Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Ju Ang Kim
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kyu Kim
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Current affiliation: Genetics & Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Di Lu
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Igal Sterin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Joosang Park
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Sungjin Park
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Matassa R, Gatti M, Crociati M, Brunelli R, Battaglione E, Papi M, De Spirito M, Nottola SA, Familiari G. Self-assembly of glycoprotein nanostructured filaments for modulating extracellular networks at long range. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:17972-17986. [PMID: 37905731 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02644b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The intriguing capability of branched glycoprotein filaments to change their hierarchical organization, mediated by external biophysical stimuli, continues to expand understanding of self-assembling strategies that can dynamically rearrange networks at long range. Previous research has explored the corresponding biological, physiological and genetic mechanisms, focusing on protein assemblies within a limited range of nanometric units. Using direct microscopy bio-imaging, we have determined the morpho-structural changes of self-assembled filament networks of the zona pellucida, revealing controlled levels of structured organizations to join distinct evolved stages of the oocyte (Immature, Mature, and Fertilized). This natural soft network reorganizes its corresponding hierarchical network to generate symmetric, asymmetric, and ultimately a state with the lowest asymmetry of the outer surface roughness, and internal pores reversibly changed from elliptical to circular configurations at the corresponding stages. These elusive morpho-structural changes are regulated by the nanostructured polymorphisms of the branched filaments by self-extension/-contraction/-bending processes, modulated by determinate theoretical angles among repetitive filament units. Controlling the nanoscale self-assembling properties by delivering a minimum number of activation bio-signals may be triggered by these specific nanostructured polymorphic organizations. Finally, this research aims to guide this soft biomaterial into a desired state to protect oocytes, eggs, and embryos during development, to favour/prevent the fertilization/polyspermy processes and eventually to impact interactions with bacteria/virus at multiscale levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Matassa
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy, Sapienza University of Rome, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marta Gatti
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy, Sapienza University of Rome, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Martina Crociati
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo, 4, Perugia, 06126, Italy
- Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberto Brunelli
- Department of Gynecological-Obstetric and Urologic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezio Battaglione
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy, Sapienza University of Rome, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Annarita Nottola
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy, Sapienza University of Rome, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Familiari
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy, Sapienza University of Rome, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Israel S, Seyfarth J, Nolte T, Drexler HCA, Fuellen G, Boiani M. Intracellular fraction of zona pellucida protein 3 is required for the oocyte-to-embryo transition in mice. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad038. [PMID: 37930049 PMCID: PMC10640839 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad038] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In oocyte biology, the zona pellucida has long been known to operate three extracellular functions downstream of the secretory pathway, namely, encasing the oocytes in ovarian follicles, mediating sperm-oocyte interaction, and preventing premature embryo contact with oviductal epithelium. The present study uncovers a fourth function that is fundamentally distinct from the other three, being critical for embryonic cell survival in mice. Intriguingly, the three proteins of the mouse zona pellucida (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3) were found abundantly present also inside the embryo 4 days after fertilization, as shown by mass spectrometry, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence. Contrary to current understanding of the roles of ZP proteins, ZP3 was associated more with the cytoskeleton than with secretory vesicles in the subcortical region of metaphase II oocytes and zygotes, and was excluded from regions of cell-cell contact in cleavage-stage embryos. Trim-away-mediated knockdown of ZP3 in fertilized oocytes hampered the first zygotic cleavage, while ZP3 overexpression supported blastocyst formation. Transcriptome analysis of ZP3-knockdown embryos pointed at defects of cytoplasmic translation in the context of embryonic genome activation. This conclusion was supported by reduced protein synthesis in the ZP3-knockdown and by the lack of cleavage arrest when Trim-away was postponed from the one-cell to the late two-cell stage. These data place constraints on the notion that zona proteins only operate in the extracellular space, revealing also a role during the oocyte-to-embryo transition. Ultimately, these data recruit ZP3 into the family of maternal factors that contribute to developmental competence of mouse oocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Israel
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Cell & Tissue Dynamics, Muenster, Germany
| | - Julia Seyfarth
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Cell & Tissue Dynamics, Muenster, Germany
| | - Thomas Nolte
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Cell & Tissue Dynamics, Muenster, Germany
| | - Hannes C A Drexler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Cell & Tissue Dynamics, Muenster, Germany
| | - Georg Fuellen
- Rostock University Medical Center, Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Aging Research (IBIMA), Rostock, Germany
| | - Michele Boiani
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Cell & Tissue Dynamics, Muenster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Drees L, Schneider S, Riedel D, Schuh R, Behr M. The proteolysis of ZP proteins is essential to control cell membrane structure and integrity of developing tracheal tubes in Drosophila. eLife 2023; 12:e91079. [PMID: 37872795 PMCID: PMC10597583 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane expansion integrates multiple forces to mediate precise tube growth and network formation. Defects lead to deformations, as found in diseases such as polycystic kidney diseases, aortic aneurysms, stenosis, and tortuosity. We identified a mechanism of sensing and responding to the membrane-driven expansion of tracheal tubes. The apical membrane is anchored to the apical extracellular matrix (aECM) and causes expansion forces that elongate the tracheal tubes. The aECM provides a mechanical tension that balances the resulting expansion forces, with Dumpy being an elastic molecule that modulates the mechanical stress on the matrix during tracheal tube expansion. We show in Drosophila that the zona pellucida (ZP) domain protein Piopio interacts and cooperates with the ZP protein Dumpy at tracheal cells. To resist shear stresses which arise during tube expansion, Piopio undergoes ectodomain shedding by the Matriptase homolog Notopleural, which releases Piopio-Dumpy-mediated linkages between membranes and extracellular matrix. Failure of this process leads to deformations of the apical membrane, tears the apical matrix, and impairs tubular network function. We also show conserved ectodomain shedding of the human TGFβ type III receptor by Notopleural and the human Matriptase, providing novel findings for in-depth analysis of diseases caused by cell and tube shape changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Drees
- Research Group Molecular Organogenesis, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Susi Schneider
- Cell biology, Institute for Biology, Leipzig UniversityLeipzigGermany
| | - Dietmar Riedel
- Facility for electron microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Reinhard Schuh
- Research Group Molecular Organogenesis, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Matthias Behr
- Cell biology, Institute for Biology, Leipzig UniversityLeipzigGermany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dhurua S, Jana M. Sulfation Effects of Chondroitin Sulfate to Bind a Chemokine in Aqueous Medium: Conformational Heterogeneity and Dynamics from Molecular Simulation. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:5660-5675. [PMID: 37611186 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The sulfation patterns and degree of sulfation of chondroitin sulfate (CS), an important class of glycosaminoglycans (GAG), and their interactions with chemokines are accountable for various diseases. To realize the underlying mechanism of such complex biological phenomena at a molecular level and their application in rational drug design, a study on conformations and dynamics of CSs is necessary. To explore this, in this study, we performed a series of atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with different sulfated variants of octadecasaccharide CS, like CS-C, CS-E, and CS-T, in their free forms and when bound to the protein chemokine CXCL8 dimer in an aqueous medium. The calculated binding free energy of CSs with the CXCL8 dimer is favorable, and the degree of sulfation favors the complexation process further with prominent hydrophobic and hydrogen-bonded interactions. We find that the recognition is associated with the configurational entropy loss of the CS molecules as calculated from the Gaussian mixture approach, which supports that the degree of sulfation regulates the process. Cluster analysis through the k-means algorithm and end-to-end distance measurement revealed that although the free CS molecules adopted linear conformations, the nonlinear conformations during binding with protein were noted. Adaptation of nonlinear forms in the bound forms is noteworthy for the less-sulfated CS-C and CS-E. Apart from favorable 4C1 conformations, the occasional appearance of skew-boat forms from the free-energy map of ring pucker for the GlcUA unit was observed, which remains unaffected by the sulfation. We find that during recognition, the average relaxation time of intra-CS and inter-CS-CXCL8 hydrogen bonds (HBs) is about a magnitude lesser than that of CS-water HBs, most prominent on the involvement of higher sulfated CS-T analogues. The translational motion of surrounded water molecules in CSs exhibited sublinear diffusion, and the degree of sublinearity increases around the heavily sulfated molecules due to the hindrance created by them as well as the presence of the chemokine and exhibited markedly slow heterogeneous diffusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shakuntala Dhurua
- Molecular Simulation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, India
| | - Madhurima Jana
- Molecular Simulation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, India
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yokokawa R, Watanabe K, Kanda S, Nishino Y, Yasumasu S, Sano K. Egg envelope formation of medaka Oryzias latipes requires ZP proteins originating from both the liver and ovary. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104600. [PMID: 36906145 PMCID: PMC10140178 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104600] [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: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Teleost oocytes are surrounded by a structure, called chorion or egg envelopes, which is composed of zona pellucida (ZP) proteins. As a result of the gene duplication in teleost, the expression site of the zp genes, coding the major component protein of egg envelopes, changed from the ovary to the maternal liver. In Euteleostei, there are three liver-expressed zp genes, named choriogenin (chg) h, chg hm, and chg l, and the composition of the egg envelope is mostly made up of these Chgs. In addition, ovary-expressed zp genes are also conserved in the medaka genomes, and their proteins have also been found to be minor components of the egg envelopes. However, the specific role of liver-expressed versus ovary-expressed zp genes was unclear. In the present study, we showed that ovary-synthesized ZP proteins first form the base layer of the egg envelope, and then Chgs polymerize inwardly to thicken the egg envelope. To analyze the effects of dysfunction of the chg gene, we generated some chg knockout medaka. All knockout females failed to produce normally fertilized eggs by the natural spawning. The egg envelopes lacking Chgs were significantly thinner, but layers formed by ZP proteins synthesized in the ovary were found in the thin egg envelope of knockout as well as wild-type eggs. These results suggest that the ovary-expressed zp gene is well conserved in all teleosts, including those species in which liver-derived ZP proteins are the major component, because it is essential for the initiation of egg envelope formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reo Yokokawa
- Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science, Josai University, Sakado, Japan
| | - Kana Watanabe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, Sakado, Japan
| | - Shinji Kanda
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Nishino
- Department of Materials and Lifesciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeki Yasumasu
- Department of Materials and Lifesciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kaori Sano
- Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science, Josai University, Sakado, Japan; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Josai University, Sakado, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lewkowski O, Poehlein A, Daniel R, Erler S. In the battle of the disease: a transcriptomic analysis of European foulbrood-diseased larvae of the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera). BMC Genomics 2022; 23:837. [PMID: 36536278 PMCID: PMC9764631 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-09075-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND European foulbrood is a significant bacterial brood disease of Apis sp. and can cause severe and devastating damages in beekeeping operations. Nevertheless, the epidemiology of its causative agent Melissococcus plutonius has been begun to uncover but the underlying mechanisms of infection and cause of disease still is not well understood. Here, we sought to provide insight into the infection mechanism of EFB employing RNAseq in in vitro reared Apis mellifera larvae of two developmental stages to trace transcriptional changes in the course of the disease, including Paenibacillus alvei secondary infected individuals. RESULTS In consideration of the progressing development of the larva, we show that infected individuals incur a shift in metabolic and structural protein-encoding genes, which are involved in metabolism of crucial compounds including all branches of macronutrient metabolism, transport protein genes and most strikingly chitin and cuticle associated genes. These changes underpin the frequently observed developmental retardation in EFB disease. Further, sets of expressed genes markedly differ in different stages of infection with almost no overlap. In an earlier stage of infection, a group of regulators of the melanization response cascade and complement component-like genes, predominantly C-type lectin genes, are up-regulated while a differential expression of immune effector genes is completely missing. In contrast, late-stage infected larvae up-regulated the expression of antimicrobial peptides, lysozymes and prominent bacteria-binding haemocyte receptor genes compared to controls. While we clearly show a significant effect of infection on expressed genes, these changes may partly result from a shift in expression timing due to developmental alterations of infection. A secondary infection with P. alvei elicits a specific response with most of the M. plutonius associated differential immune effector gene expression missing and several immune pathway genes even down-regulated. CONCLUSION We conclude that with progressing infection diseased individuals undergo a systemic response with a change of metabolism and their activated immune defence repertoire. Moreover, larvae are capable of adjusting their response to a secondary invasion in late stage infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Lewkowski
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Molecular Ecology, Institute of Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anja Poehlein
- grid.7450.60000 0001 2364 4210Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rolf Daniel
- grid.7450.60000 0001 2364 4210Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvio Erler
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Molecular Ecology, Institute of Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099 Halle (Saale), Germany ,grid.13946.390000 0001 1089 3517Institute for Bee Protection, Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI) – Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany ,grid.6738.a0000 0001 1090 0254Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhou J, Wang M, Yang Q, Li D, Li Z, Hu J, Jin L, Zhu L. Can successful pregnancy be achieved and predicted from patients with identified ZP mutations? A literature review. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:166. [PMID: 36476320 PMCID: PMC9730648 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-01046-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In mammals, normal fertilization depends on the structural and functional integrity of the zona pellucida (ZP), which is an extracellular matrix surrounding oocytes. Mutations in ZP may affect oogenesis, fertilization and early embryonic development, which may cause female infertility. METHODS A PubMed literature search using the keywords 'zona pellucida', 'mutation' and 'variant' limited to humans was performed, with the last research on June 30, 2022. The mutation types, clinical phenotypes and pregnancy outcomes were summarized and analyzed. The naive Bayes classifier was used to predict clinical pregnancy outcomes for patients with ZP mutations. RESULTS A total of 29 publications were included in the final analysis. Sixty-nine mutations of the ZP genes were reported in 87 patients with different clinical phenotypes, including empty follicle syndrome (EFS), ZP-free oocytes (ZFO), ZP-thin oocytes (ZTO), degenerated and immature oocytes. The phenotypes of patients were influenced by the types and location of the mutations. The most common effects of ZP mutations are protein truncation and dysfunction. Three patients with ZP1 mutations, two with ZP2 mutations, and three with ZP4 mutations had successful pregnancies through Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from ZFO or ZTO. A prediction model of pregnancy outcome in patients with ZP mutation was constructed to assess the chance of pregnancy with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.898. The normalized confusion matrix showed the true positive rate was 1.00 and the true negative rate was 0.38. CONCLUSION Phenotypes in patients with ZP mutations might be associated with mutation sites or the degree of protein dysfunction. Successful pregnancy outcomes could be achieved in some patients with identified ZP mutations. Clinical pregnancy prediction model based on ZP mutations and clinical characteristics will be helpful to precisely evaluate pregnancy chance and provide references and guidance for the clinical treatment of relevant patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juepu Zhou
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Meng Wang
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Qiyu Yang
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Dan Li
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Zhou Li
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Juan Hu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Lei Jin
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Lixia Zhu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030 China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Knepper MI, Dernedde J. Zona Pellucida like Domain Protein 1 (ZPLD1) Polymerization Is Regulated by Two Distinguished Hydrophobic Motifs. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213894. [PMID: 36430381 PMCID: PMC9692296 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213894] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zona Pellucida Like Domain 1 Protein (ZPLD1) is a main component of the cupula, a gelatinous structure located in the labyrinth organ of the inner ear and involved in vestibular function. The N-glycosylated protein is likely able to organize high-molecular-weight polymers via its zona pellucida (ZP) module, which is common for many extracellular proteins that self-assemble into matrices. In this work, we confirmed that ZPLD1 can form multimers while setting up a cellular model leveraging Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells to study protein polymerization. We identified two motifs within ZPLD1 which regulate its polymerization and follow previously published conserved regions, identified across ZP proteins. Mutational depletion of either one of these modules led to diminished or abnormal polymer formation outside of the cells, likely due to altered processing at the plasma membrane. Further, intracellular polymer formation was observed. Proteolytic cleavage during secretion, separating the regulatory motif located distinct of the ZP module from the mature monomer, seems to be necessary to enable polymerization. While the molecular interactions of the identified motifs remain to be proven, our findings suggest that ZPLD1 is a polymer forming ZP protein following an orchestrated mechanism of protein polymerization to finally build up a gelatinous hydrogel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Isabell Knepper
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Dernedde
- Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-304-5056-9176
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Solovova OA, Chernykh VB. Genetics of Oocyte Maturation Defects and Early Embryo Development Arrest. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1920. [PMID: 36360157 PMCID: PMC9689903 DOI: 10.3390/genes13111920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Various pathogenic factors can lead to oogenesis failure and seriously affect both female reproductive health and fertility. Genetic factors play an important role in folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation but still need to be clarified. Oocyte maturation is a well-organized complex process, regulated by a large number of genes. Pathogenic variants in these genes as well as aneuploidy, defects in mitochondrial genome, and other genetic and epigenetic factors can result in unexplained infertility, early pregnancy loss, and recurrent failures of IVF/ICSI programs due to poor ovarian response to stimulation, oocyte maturation arrest, poor gamete quality, fertilization failure, or early embryonic developmental arrest. In this paper, we review the main genes, as well as provide a description of the defects in the mitochondrial genome, associated with female infertility.
Collapse
|
17
|
Grignaschi S, Sbalchiero A, Spinozzi G, Palermo BL, Cantarini C, Nardiello C, Cavagna L, Olivieri C. Endoglin and Systemic Sclerosis: A PRISMA-driven systematic review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:964526. [PMID: 36059817 PMCID: PMC9434008 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.964526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease whose pathogenesis is still poorly understood. The Transforming Growth Factor β superfamily is considered pivotal and a crucial role has been suggested for the type III receptor, Endoglin (ENG). The aim of this systematic review is to investigate and combine the current clinical and molecular available data, to suggest novel hints for further studies. Methods We followed PRISMA guidelines; the search was performed on three databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase) in date November 2nd, 2021. Subsequent to the exclusion of duplicates, we applied as inclusion criteria: 1. focus on the relationship between ENG and SSc; 2. English language. As exclusion criteria: 1. ENG exclusively as a cellular biomarker; 2. no focus on ENG-SSc relationship; 3. review articles and 4. abstracts that did not add novel data. Eligibility was assessed independently by each author to reduce biases. We divided records into clinical and molecular works and subgrouped them by their study features and aim. Results We selected 25 original papers and 10 conference abstracts. Molecular studies included 6 articles and 4 abstracts, whereas clinical studies included 17 articles and 6 abstracts; 2 articles presented both characteristics. Molecular studies were focussed on ENG expression in different cell types, showing an altered ENG expression in SSc-affected cells. Clinical studies mainly suggested that different disease phenotypes can be related to peculiar disregulations in soluble ENG concentrations. Discussion Concerning the possible limits of our search, boolean operators in our strings might have been uneffective. However, the use of different strings in different databases should have reduced this issue at a minimum. Another bias can be represented by the selection step, in which we excluded many articles based on the role of Endoglin as a histological vascular marker rather than a signaling receptor. We tried to reduce this risk by performing the selection independently by each author and discussing disagreements. Our systematic review pointed out that ENG has a pivotal role in activating different TGFβ-stimulated pathways that can be crucial in SSc pathogenesis and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Grignaschi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Rheumatology Division, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Sbalchiero
- General Biology and Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Spinozzi
- Otorhinolaryngology Division, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Bianca Lucia Palermo
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Rheumatology Division, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Cantarini
- General Biology and Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Chantal Nardiello
- General Biology and Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cavagna
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Rheumatology Division, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carla Olivieri
- General Biology and Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Shimizu K, Takeuchi T, Negishi L, Kurumizaka H, Kuriyama I, Endo K, Suzuki M. Evolution of EGF-like and Zona pellucida domains containing shell matrix proteins in mollusks. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6633355. [PMID: 35796746 PMCID: PMC9290575 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several types of shell matrix proteins (SMPs) have been identified in molluskan shells. Their diversity is the consequence of various molecular processes, including domain shuffling and gene duplication. However, the evolutionary origin of most SMPs remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the evolutionary process EGF-like and zona pellucida (ZP) domains containing SMPs. Two types of the proteins (EGF-like protein (EGFL) and EGF-like and ZP domains containing protein (EGFZP)) were found in the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata. In contrast, only EGFZP was identified in the gastropods. Phylogenetic analysis and genomic arrangement studies showed that EGFL and EGFZP formed a clade in bivalves, and their encoding genes were localized in tandem repeats on the same scaffold. In P. fucata, EGFL genes were expressed in the outer part of mantle epithelial cells are related to the calcitic shell formation. However, in both P. fucata and the limpet Nipponacmea fuscoviridis, EGFZP genes were expressed in the inner part of the mantle epithelial cells are related to aragonitic shell formation. Furthermore, our analysis showed that in P. fucata, the ZP domain interacts with eight SMPs that have various functions in the nacreous shell mineralization. The data suggest that the ZP domain can interact with other SMPs, and EGFL evolution in pterimorph bivalves represents an example of neo-functionalization that involves the acquisition of a novel protein through gene duplication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Shimizu
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Takeshi Takeuchi
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Lumi Negishi
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kurumizaka
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Isao Kuriyama
- Mie Prefecture Fisheries Research Institute, 3564-3 Hamajima, Hamajima-cho, Shima-city, Mie 517-0404, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Endo
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Michio Suzuki
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Rygiel AM, Unger LS, Sörgel FL, Masson E, Matsumoto R, Ewers M, Chen JM, Bugert P, Buscail L, Gambin T, Oracz G, Winiewska-Szajewska M, Mianowska A, Poznanski J, Kosińska J, Stawinski P, Płoski R, Koziel D, Gluszek S, Laumen H, Lindgren F, Löhr JM, Orekhova A, Rebours V, Rosendahl J, Párniczky A, Hegyi P, Sasaki A, Kataoka F, Tanaka Y, Hamada S, Sahin-Tóth M, Hegyi E, Férec C, Masamune A, Witt H. Variants in the pancreatic CUB and zona pellucida-like domains 1 (CUZD1) gene in early-onset chronic pancreatitis - A possible new susceptibility gene. Pancreatology 2022; 22:564-571. [PMID: 35589511 PMCID: PMC9250292 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2022.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (NACP) frequently develops in the setting of genetic susceptibility associated with alterations in genes that are highly expressed in the pancreas. However, the genetic basis of NACP remains unresolved in a significant number of patients warranting a search for further risk genes. DESIGN We analyzed CUZD1, which encodes the CUB and zona pellucida-like domains 1 protein that is found in high levels in pancreatic acinar cells. We sequenced the coding region in 1163 European patients and 2018 European controls. In addition, we analyzed 297 patients and 1070 controls from Japan. We analyzed secretion of wild-type and mutant CUZD1 from transfected cells using Western blotting. RESULTS In the European cohort, we detected 30 non-synonymous variants. Using different prediction tools (SIFT, CADD, PROVEAN, PredictSNP) or the combination of these tools, we found accumulation of predicted deleterious variants in patients (p-value range 0.002-0.013; OR range 3.1-5.2). No association was found in the Japanese cohort, in which 13 non-synonymous variants were detected. Functional studies revealed >50% reduced secretion of 7 variants, however, these variants were not significantly enriched in European CP patients. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that CUZD1 might be a novel susceptibility gene for NACP. How these variants predispose to pancreatitis remains to be elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lara Sophie Unger
- Center for Exocrine Disorders, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, United States; Pediatric Nutritional Medicine & Else Kröner-Fresenius-Centre for Nutritional Medicine EKFZ, Technical University Munich TUM, Freising, Germany
| | - Franziska Lena Sörgel
- Pediatric Nutritional Medicine & Else Kröner-Fresenius-Centre for Nutritional Medicine EKFZ, Technical University Munich TUM, Freising, Germany
| | - Emmanuelle Masson
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200, Brest, France; Service de Génétique Médicale et de Biologie de la Reproduction, CHRU Brest, F-29200, Brest, France
| | - Ryotaro Matsumoto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Maren Ewers
- Pediatric Nutritional Medicine & Else Kröner-Fresenius-Centre for Nutritional Medicine EKFZ, Technical University Munich TUM, Freising, Germany
| | - Jian-Min Chen
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200, Brest, France
| | - Peter Bugert
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Service of Baden-Württemberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Louis Buscail
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pancreatology, CHU Rangueil and University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Tomasz Gambin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland; Institute of Computer Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Oracz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Feeding Disorders and Pediatrics, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Winiewska-Szajewska
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Mianowska
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Feeding Disorders and Pediatrics, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Poznanski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Kosińska
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Stawinski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Płoski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Koziel
- Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, Poland
| | | | - Helmut Laumen
- Pediatric Nutritional Medicine & Else Kröner-Fresenius-Centre for Nutritional Medicine EKFZ, Technical University Munich TUM, Freising, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine I, Martin Luther University, Halle, Germany
| | - Fredrik Lindgren
- Department of Pediatric, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Matthias Löhr
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Orekhova
- Center for Exocrine Disorders, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, United States
| | - Vinciane Rebours
- Pancreatology and Digestive Oncology Department, Beaujon Hospital, Clichy, APHP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jonas Rosendahl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Martin Luther University, Halle, Germany
| | - Andrea Párniczky
- Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute, Budapest, Hungary; Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Center for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Hegyi
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Division of Pancreatic Diseases, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Akira Sasaki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Fumiya Kataoka
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yu Tanaka
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shin Hamada
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Miklós Sahin-Tóth
- Center for Exocrine Disorders, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, United States; Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
| | - Eszter Hegyi
- Center for Exocrine Disorders, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, United States; Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Claude Férec
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200, Brest, France; Service de Génétique Médicale et de Biologie de la Reproduction, CHRU Brest, F-29200, Brest, France
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Heiko Witt
- Pediatric Nutritional Medicine & Else Kröner-Fresenius-Centre for Nutritional Medicine EKFZ, Technical University Munich TUM, Freising, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hou M, Zhu L, Jiang J, Liu Z, Li Z, Jia W, Hu J, Zhou X, Zhang D, Luo Y, Peng X, Xi Q, Jin L, Zhang X. Novel Heterozygous Mutations in ZP2 Cause Abnormal Zona Pellucida and Female Infertility. Reprod Sci 2022; 29:3047-3054. [PMID: 35595959 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00958-3] [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: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Zona pellucida (ZP) which is an extracellular matrix consisting of ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4 plays a vital role in oocyte maturity, early embryonic development, and fertilization process. Any alterations of structure or function may lead to the abnormal formation of ZP and female infertility. Two novel heterozygous mutations c.1859G > A (p.Cys620Tyr) and c.1421 T > C (p.Leu474Pro) in ZP2 gene were recognized in three patients from two unrelated families with abnormal ZP and female infertility in this study. The expression constructs carrying wild-type ZP2 gene, c.1859G > A (p.Cys620Tyr) mutant ZP2 gene, and c.1421 T > C (p.Leu474Pro) mutant ZP2 gene were transfected into CHO cells respectively. There was a remarkable decrease in the expression of p.Cys620Tyr mutant protein with western blot. In addition, secretion of p.Leu474Pro mutant protein in the culture medium reduced markedly compared with that of wild-type ZP2 protein. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation showed that the p.Leu474Pro mutation affected the interaction between ZP2 and ZP3. Prediction of three-dimensional (3D) structure of the proteins showed that p.Cys620Tyr mutation altered the disulfide bond of ZP2 protein and may affect its function. These findings extend the ranges of mutations of ZP2 gene. Meanwhile, it will be helpful to the precise diagnosis of abnormal ZP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meiqi Hou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Lixia Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jinghang Jiang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jingmen No. 2 People's Hospital, Jingmen, Hubei, China
| | - Zhenxing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Zhou Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Weimin Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Juan Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaopei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Dazhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Yalin Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Xuejie Peng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Qingsong Xi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xianqin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sano K, Shimada S, Mibu H, Taguchi M, Ohsawa T, Kawaguchi M, Yasumasu S. Lineage-specific evolution of zona pellucida genes in fish. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2022; 338:181-191. [PMID: 35189032 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The zona pellucida (ZP) protein constitutes the egg envelope, which surrounds the vertebrate embryo. We performed a comprehensive study on the molecular evolution of ZP genes in Teleostei by cloning and analyzing the expression of ZP genes in fish of Anguilliformes in Elopomorpha, Osteoglossiformes in Osteoglossomorpha, and Clupeiformes in Otocephala to cover unsurveyed fish groups in Teleostei. The present results confirmed findings from our previous reports that the principal organ of ZP gene expression changed from ovary to liver in the common ancestors of Clupeocephala. Even fish species that synthesize egg envelopes in the liver carry the ovary-expressed ZP proteins as minor egg envelope components that were produced by gene duplication during the early stage of Teleostei evolution. The amino acid repeat sequences located at the N-terminal region of ZP proteins are known to be the substrates of transglutaminase responsible for egg envelope hardening and hatching. A repeat sequence was found in zona pellucida Cs of phylogenetically early diverged fish. After changing the synthesis organ, its role is inherited by the N-terminal Pro-Gln-Xaa repeat sequence in liver-expressed zona pellucida B genes of Clupeocephala. These results suggest that teleost ZP genes have independently evolved to maintain fish-specific functions, such as egg envelope hardening and egg envelope digestion, at hatching.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Sano
- Deparatment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Josai University, Sakado, Saitama, Japan
| | - Sho Shimada
- Deparatment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Josai University, Sakado, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hideki Mibu
- Deparatment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Josai University, Sakado, Saitama, Japan
| | - Mizuki Taguchi
- Department of Biology, Research and Education Center for Natural Sciences, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takasumi Ohsawa
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mari Kawaguchi
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeki Yasumasu
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Loeuillet C, Dhellemmes M, Cazin C, Kherraf ZE, Fourati Ben Mustapha S, Zouari R, Thierry-Mieg N, Arnoult C, Ray PF. A recurrent ZP1 variant is responsible for Oocyte Maturation Defect with degenerated oocytes in infertile females. Clin Genet 2022; 102:22-29. [PMID: 35460069 PMCID: PMC9327729 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A female factor is present in approximately 70% of couple infertility, often due to ovulatory disorders. In oocyte maturation defect (OMD), affected patients have a primary infertility with normal menstrual cycles but produce no oocyte, degenerated (atretic) or abnormal oocytes blocked at different stages of maturation. Four genes have so far been associated with OMD: PATL2, TUBB8, WEE2, and ZP1. In our initial study, 6 out of 23 OMD subjects were shown to carry the same PATL2 homozygous loss of function variant and one patient had a TUBB8 truncating variant. Here, we included four additional OMD patients and reanalyzed all 27 subjects. In addition to the seven patients with a previously identified defect, five carried the same deleterious homozygous ZP1 variant (c.1097G>A; p.Arg366Gln). All the oocytes from ZP1‐associated patients appeared shriveled and dark indicating that the abnormal ZP1 protein induced oocyte death and degeneration. Overall ZP1‐associated patients had degenerated or absent oocytes contrary to PATL2‐associated subjects who had immature oocytes blocked mainly at the germinal vesicle stage. In this cohort of North African OMD patients, whole exome sequencing permitted to diagnose 44% of the patients studied and to identify a new frequent ZP1 variant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Loeuillet
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France
| | - Magali Dhellemmes
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France
| | - Caroline Cazin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, France.,Laboratoire Eurofins Biomnis, Département de Génétique Moléculaire, Lyon, France
| | - Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Raoudha Zouari
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Christophe Arnoult
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, France
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Song N, Li J, Li B, Pan E, Ma Y. Transcriptome analysis of the bivalve Placuna placenta mantle reveals potential biomineralization-related genes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4743. [PMID: 35304539 PMCID: PMC8933548 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08610-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The shells of window pane oyster Placuna placenta are very thin and exhibit excellent optical transparency and mechanical robustness. However, little is known about the biomineralization-related proteins of the shells of P. placenta. In this work, we report the comprehensive transcriptome of the mantle tissue of P. placenta for the first time. The unigenes of the mantle tissue of P. placenta were annotated by using the public databases such as nr, GO, KOG, KEGG, and Pfam. 24,343 unigenes were annotated according to Pfam database, accounting for 21.48% of the total unigenes. We find that half of the annotated unigenes of the mantle tissue of P. placenta are consistent to the annotated unigenes from pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas according to nr database. The unigene sequence analysis from the mantle tissue of P. placenta indicates that 465,392 potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 62,103 potential indel markers were identified from 60,371 unigenes. 178 unigenes of the mantle tissue of P. placenta are found to be homologous to those reported proteins related to the biomineralization process of molluscan shells, while 18 of them are highly expressed unigenes in the mantle tissue. It is proposed that four unigenes with the highest expression levels in the mantle tissue are very often related to the biomineralization process, while another three unigenes are potentially related to the biomineralization process according to the Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. In summary, the transcriptome analysis of the mantle tissue of P. Placenta shows the potential biomineralization-related proteins and this work may shed light for the shell formation mechanism of bivalves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ningjing Song
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jiangfeng Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Baosheng Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Ercai Pan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yurong Ma
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wassarman PM, Litscher ES. Female fertility and the zona pellucida. eLife 2022; 11:76106. [PMID: 35076396 PMCID: PMC8789258 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertility in female mammals, including mice and humans, is dependent on the presence of a zona pellucida (ZP) around growing oocytes and unfertilized eggs. A ZP is required to stabilize contacts between oocyte microvilli and follicle cell projections that traverse the ZP to form gap junctions that support the health of growing oocytes and developing follicles. In the absence of a ZP, due to inactivation or mutation of genes encoding ZP proteins, there is a loss of contacts between growing oocytes and neighboring follicle cells and a concomitant reduction in the production of ovulated eggs that results in female infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Wassarman
- Department Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai One Gustave L. Levy Place
| | - Eveline S Litscher
- Department Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai One Gustave L. Levy Place
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Adhesion of enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic and commensal Escherichia coli to the Major Zymogen Granule Membrane Glycoprotein 2. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0227921. [PMID: 35020452 PMCID: PMC8904060 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02279-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria, such as enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), cause diarrhea in mammals. In particular, E. coli colonizes and infects the gastrointestinal tract via type 1 fimbriae (T1F). Here, the major zymogen granule membrane glycoprotein 2 (GP2) acts as a host cell receptor. GP2 is also secreted by the pancreas and various mucous glands, interacting with luminal type 1 fimbriae-positive E. coli. It is unknown whether GP2 isoforms demonstrate specific E. coli pathotype binding. In this study, we investigated interactions of human, porcine, and bovine EPEC and ETEC, as well as commensal E. coli isolates with human, porcine, and bovine GP2. We first defined pathotype- and host-associated FimH variants. Second, we could prove that GP2 isoforms bound to FimH variants to various degrees. However, the GP2-FimH interactions did not seem to be influenced by the host specificity of E. coli. In contrast, soluble GP2 affected ETEC infection and phagocytosis rates of macrophages. Preincubation of the ETEC pathotype with GP2 reduced the infection of cell lines. Furthermore, preincubation of E. coli with GP2 improved the phagocytosis rate of macrophages. Our findings suggest that GP2 plays a role in the defense against E. coli infection and in the corresponding host immune response. IMPORTANCE Infection by pathogenic bacteria, such as certain Escherichia coli pathotypes, results in diarrhea in mammals. Pathogens, including zoonotic agents, can infect different hosts or show host specificity. There are Escherichia coli strains which are frequently transmitted between humans and animals, whereas other Escherichia coli strains tend to colonize only one host. This host specificity is still not fully understood. We show that glycoprotein 2 is a selective receptor for particular Escherichia coli strains or variants of the adhesin FimH but not a selector for a species-specific Escherichia coli group. We demonstrate that GP2 is involved in the regulation of colonization and infection and thus represents a molecule of interest for the prevention or treatment of disease.
Collapse
|
26
|
Wang M, Wang LS, Fang JN, Du GC, Zhang TT, Li RG. Transcriptomic Profiling of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes in Response to Ethanol. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 248:111460. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
|
27
|
Rajput N, Gahlay GK. Identification and in silico Characterization of Deleterious Single Nucleotide Variations in Human ZP2 Gene. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:763166. [PMID: 34869353 PMCID: PMC8635754 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.763166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
ZP2, an important component of the zona matrix, surrounds mammalian oocytes and facilitates fertilization. Recently, some studies have documented the association of mutations in genes encoding the zona matrix with the infertile status of human females. Single nucleotide polymorphisms are the most common type of genetic variations observed in a population and as per the dbSNP database, around 5,152 SNPs are reported to exist in the human ZP2 (hZP2) gene. Although a wide range of computational tools are publicly available, yet no computational studies have been done to date to identify and analyze structural and functional effects of deleterious SNPs on hZP2. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive in silico analysis of all the SNPs found in hZP2. Six different computational tools including SIFT and PolyPhen-2 predicted 18 common nsSNPs as deleterious of which 12 were predicted to most likely affect the structure/functional properties. These were either present in the N-term region crucial for sperm-zona interaction or in the zona domain. 31 additional SNPs in both coding and non-coding regions were also identified. Interestingly, some of these SNPs have been found to be present in infertile females in some recent studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neha Rajput
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, INDIA
| | - Gagandeep Kaur Gahlay
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, INDIA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Lin Y, Nakatochi M, Sasahira N, Ueno M, Egawa N, Adachi Y, Kikuchi S. Glycoprotein 2 in health and disease: lifting the veil. Genes Environ 2021; 43:53. [PMID: 34861888 PMCID: PMC8641183 DOI: 10.1186/s41021-021-00229-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2020, we discovered glycoprotein 2 (GP2) variants associated with pancreatic cancer susceptibility in a genome-wide association study involving the Japanese population. Individuals carrying a missense coding variant (rs78193826) in the GP2 gene resulting in a p.V432M substitution had an approximately 1.5-fold higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than those without this variant. GP2 is expressed on the inner surface of zymogen granules in pancreatic acinar cells, which are responsible for the sorting, storage and secretion of digestive enzymes. Upon neuronal, hormonal, or other stimulation, GP2 is cleaved from the membrane of zymogen granules and then secreted into the pancreatic duct and intestinal lumen. While the functions of GP2 remain poorly understood, emerging evidence suggests that it plays an antibacterial role in the gastrointestinal tract after being secreted from pancreatic acinar cells. Impaired GP2 functions may facilitate the adhesion of bacteria to the intestinal mucosa. In this review article, we summarize the role of GP2 in health and disease, emphasizing its functions in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as genetic variations in the GP2 gene and their associations with disease susceptibility. We hope that its robust genetic associations with pancreatic cancer, coupled with its emerging role in gastrointestinal mucosal immunity, will spur renewed research interest in GP2, which has been understudied over the past 30 years compared with its paralog uromodulin (UMOD).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingsong Lin
- Department of Public Health, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, 480-1195, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan.
| | - Masahiro Nakatochi
- Division of Public Health Informatics, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 461-8673, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naoki Sasahira
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Medicine, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 135-8550, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Ueno
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Medical Oncology Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center, 241-8515, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Naoto Egawa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital, 156- 0057, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Adachi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Shirakaba- dai Hospital, 062-0052, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shogo Kikuchi
- Department of Public Health, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, 480-1195, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Jovine L. Using machine learning to study protein-protein interactions: From the uromodulin polymer to egg zona pellucida filaments. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:686-693. [PMID: 34590381 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Neural network-based models for protein structure prediction have recently reached near-experimental accuracy and are fast becoming a powerful tool in the arsenal of biologists. As suggested by initial studies using RoseTTAFold or the ColabFold implementation of AlphaFold2, a particularly interesting future development will be the optimization of these computational methods to also routinely yield high-confidence predictions of protein-protein interactions. Here I use AlphaFold2 and ColabFold to investigate the activation and polymerization of uromodulin (UMOD)/Tamm-Horsfall protein, a zona pellucida (ZP) module-containing protein whose precursor and filamentous structures have been previously determined experimentally by X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, respectively. Despite having no knowledge of the UMOD polymer structure (coordinates for which were neither used for model training nor as template), AlphaFold2/ColabFold are able to recapitulate a crucial conformational change underlying UMOD polymerization, as well as the general organization of protein subunits within the resulting filament. This surprising result is achieved by simply deleting from the input sequence a stretch of residues that correspond to a polymerization-inhibiting C-terminal propeptide. By mimicking in silico the activating effect of propeptide dissociation triggered by site-specific proteolysis of the protein precursor, this example has implications for the assembly of egg coat proteins and the many other molecules that also contain a ZP module. Most importantly, it shows the potential of exploiting machine learning not only to accurately predict the structures of individual proteins or complexes, but also to carry out computational experiments replicating specific molecular events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Zona Pellucida Genes and Proteins: Essential Players in Mammalian Oogenesis and Fertility. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081266. [PMID: 34440440 PMCID: PMC8391237 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
All mammalian oocytes and eggs are surrounded by a relatively thick extracellular matrix (ECM), the zona pellucida (ZP), that plays vital roles during oogenesis, fertilization, and preimplantation development. Unlike ECM surrounding somatic cells, the ZP is composed of only a few glycosylated proteins, ZP1–4, that are unique to oocytes and eggs. ZP1–4 have a large region of polypeptide, the ZP domain (ZPD), consisting of two subdomains, ZP-N and ZP-C, separated by a short linker region, that plays an essential role in polymerization of nascent ZP proteins into crosslinked fibrils. Both subdomains adopt immunoglobulin (Ig)-like folds for their 3-dimensional structure. Mouse and human ZP genes are encoded by single-copy genes located on different chromosomes and are highly expressed in the ovary by growing oocytes during late stages of oogenesis. Genes encoding ZP proteins are conserved among mammals, and their expression is regulated by cis-acting sequences located close to the transcription start-site and by the same/similar trans-acting factors. Nascent ZP proteins are synthesized, packaged into vesicles, secreted into the extracellular space, and assembled into long, crosslinked fibrils that have a structural repeat, a ZP2-ZP3 dimer, and constitute the ZP matrix. Fibrils are oriented differently with respect to the oolemma in the inner and outer layers of the ZP. Sequence elements in the ZPD and the carboxy-terminal propeptide of ZP1–4 regulate secretion and assembly of nascent ZP proteins. The presence of both ZP2 and ZP3 is required to assemble ZP fibrils and ZP1 and ZP4 are used to crosslink the fibrils. Inactivation of mouse ZP genes by gene targeting has a detrimental effect on ZP formation around growing oocytes and female fertility. Gene sequence variations in human ZP genes due to point, missense, or frameshift mutations also have a detrimental effect on ZP formation and female fertility. The latter mutations provide additional support for the role of ZPD subdomains and other regions of ZP polypeptide in polymerization of human ZP proteins into fibrils and matrix.
Collapse
|
31
|
Weadick CJ. Molecular Evolutionary Analysis of Nematode Zona Pellucida (ZP) Modules Reveals Disulfide-Bond Reshuffling and Standalone ZP-C Domains. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 12:1240-1255. [PMID: 32426804 PMCID: PMC7456536 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Zona pellucida (ZP) modules mediate extracellular protein-protein interactions and contribute to important biological processes including syngamy and cellular morphogenesis. Although some biomedically relevant ZP modules are well studied, little is known about the protein family's broad-scale diversity and evolution. The increasing availability of sequenced genomes from "nonmodel" systems provides a valuable opportunity to address this issue and to use comparative approaches to gain new insights into ZP module biology. Here, through phylogenetic and structural exploration of ZP module diversity across the nematode phylum, I report evidence that speaks to two important aspects of ZP module biology. First, I show that ZP-C domains-which in some modules act as regulators of ZP-N domain-mediated polymerization activity, and which have never before been found in isolation-can indeed be found as standalone domains. These standalone ZP-C domain proteins originated in independent (paralogous) lineages prior to the diversification of extant nematodes, after which they evolved under strong stabilizing selection, suggesting the presence of ZP-N domain-independent functionality. Second, I provide a much-needed phylogenetic perspective on disulfide bond variability, uncovering evidence for both convergent evolution and disulfide-bond reshuffling. This result has implications for our evolutionary understanding and classification of ZP module structural diversity and highlights the usefulness of phylogenetics and diverse sampling for protein structural biology. All told, these findings set the stage for broad-scale (cross-phyla) evolutionary analysis of ZP modules and position Caenorhabditis elegans and other nematodes as important experimental systems for exploring the evolution of ZP modules and their constituent domains.
Collapse
|
32
|
Dilimulati K, Orita M, Undram G, Yonezawa N. Sperm-binding regions on bovine egg zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP4 studied in a solid supported form on plastic plate. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254234. [PMID: 34242308 PMCID: PMC8270413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The zona pellucida (ZP) is a transparent envelope that surrounds the mammalian oocyte and mediates species-selective sperm-oocyte interactions. The bovine ZP consists of the glycoproteins ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4. Sperm-binding mechanisms of the bovine ZP are not yet fully elucidated. In a previous report, we established the expression system of bovine ZP glycoproteins using Sf9 insect cells and found that the ZP3/ZP4 heterocomplex inhibits the binding of sperm to the ZP in a competitive inhibition assay, while ZP2, ZP3, ZP4, the ZP2/ZP3 complex, and the ZP2/ZP4 complex do not exhibit this activity. Here, we show that bovine sperm binds to plastic plates coated with ZP4 in the absence of ZP3. We made a series of ZP4 deletion mutants to study the sperm-binding sites. The N-terminal region, Lys-25 to Asp-136, and the middle region, Ser-290 to Lys-340, of ZP4 exhibit sperm-binding activity. These results suggest that among the three components of bovine ZP glycoproteins, ZP4 contains the major potential sperm-binding sites, and the formation of a multivalent complex is necessary for the sperm-binding activity of ZP4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Dilimulati
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Misaki Orita
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ganbat Undram
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoto Yonezawa
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Peng X, Zhao L, Liu J, Guo X, Ding Y. Comparative transcriptome analyses of the liver between Xenocypris microlepis and Xenocypris davidi under low copper exposure. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 236:105850. [PMID: 34022695 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Copper is one of the most ubiquitous environmental pollutants worldwide. Previous studies have focused on the toxicology of high copper exposure, while there has been comparatively less research on the biological effects of low copper exposure. Low concentrations of copper often exist in freshwater ecosystems, and its impact on the fish is unclear. Both Xenocypris microlepis and Xenocypris davidi are bottom-feeding fishes widely distributed in freshwater ecosystems of China, and they are more likely to be contaminated by low concentrations of copper. Low copper exposure may have effects on molecular regulation at the level of gene expression in the two Xenocypris species. To investigate gene expression differences involved in the response to low copper concentrations between X. microlepis and X. davidi, we established the responses to low copper exposure of 0.01 mg/L for 14 days at the transcriptional level, and RNA-Seq was used to perform a comparative transcriptomic analysis of the liver. A total of 74,135 and 60,894 unigenes from X. microlepis and X. davidi were assembled by transcriptome profiling, respectively. Among these, 84 genes of X. microlepis and 165 genes of X. davidi were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs). There were 60 and 135 up-regulated, 24 and 30 down-regulated genes in the two species, respectively. Comparative transcriptome analyses identified five differentially co-expressed genes (DCGs) related to low copper exposure from the DEGs of the two Xenocypris species. The five DCGs were related to the fishes' growth, antioxidant system, immune system and heavy metal tolerance. The results could help us to understand the molecular mechanisms of the response to low copper exposure, and the data should provide a valuable transcriptomic resource for the genus Xenocypris.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinliang Peng
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; College of Fisheries, Xinyang Agriculture and Forestry University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Liangjie Zhao
- College of Fisheries, Xinyang Agriculture and Forestry University, Xinyang 464000, China; Fishery Biological Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Jun Liu
- College of Fisheries, Xinyang Agriculture and Forestry University, Xinyang 464000, China; Fishery Biological Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Xusheng Guo
- College of Fisheries, Xinyang Agriculture and Forestry University, Xinyang 464000, China; Fishery Biological Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province, Xinyang 464000, China.
| | - Yu Ding
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Killingbeck EE, Wilburn DB, Merrihew GE, MacCoss MJ, Swanson WJ. Proteomics support the threespine stickleback egg coat as a protective oocyte envelope. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:500-515. [PMID: 34148267 PMCID: PMC8362008 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ancestrally marine threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) have undergone an adaptive radiation into freshwater environments throughout the Northern Hemisphere, creating an excellent model system for studying molecular adaptation and speciation. Ecological and behavioral factors have been suggested to underlie stickleback reproductive isolation and incipient speciation, but reproductive proteins mediating gamete recognition during fertilization have so far remained unexplored. To begin to investigate the contribution of reproductive proteins to stickleback reproductive isolation, we have characterized the stickleback egg coat proteome. We find that stickleback egg coats are comprised of homologs to the zona pellucida (ZP) proteins ZP1 and ZP3, as in other teleost fish. Our molecular evolutionary analyses indicate that across teleosts, ZP3 but not ZP1 has experienced positive Darwinian selection. Mammalian ZP3 is also rapidly evolving, and surprisingly some residues under selection in stickleback and mammalian ZP3 directly align. Despite broad homology, however, we find differences between mammalian and stickleback ZP proteins with respect to glycosylation, disulfide bonding, and sites of synthesis. Taken together, the changes we observe in stickleback ZP protein architecture suggest that the egg coats of stickleback fish, and perhaps fish more generally, have evolved to fulfill a more protective functional role than their mammalian counterparts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Killingbeck
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Damien B Wilburn
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Gennifer E Merrihew
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael J MacCoss
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Willie J Swanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Mechano-chemical enforcement of tendon apical ECM into nano-filaments during Drosophila flight muscle development. Curr Biol 2021; 31:1366-1378.e7. [PMID: 33545042 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Contractile tension is critical for musculoskeletal system development and maintenance. In insects, the muscular force is transmitted to the exoskeleton through the tendon cells and tendon apical extracellular matrix (ECM). In Drosophila, we found tendon cells secrete Dumpy (Dpy), a zona pellucida domain (ZPD) protein, to form the force-resistant filaments in the exuvial space, anchoring the tendon cells to the pupal cuticle. We showed that Dpy undergoes filamentous conversion in response to the tension increment during indirect flight muscle development. We also found another ZPD protein Quasimodo (Qsm) protects the notum epidermis from collapsing under the muscle tension by enhancing the tensile strength of Dpy filaments. Qsm is co-transported with Dpy in the intracellular vesicles and diffuses into the exuvial space after secretion. Tissue-specific qsm expression rescued the qsm mutant phenotypes in distant tissues, suggesting Qsm can function in a long-range, non-cell-autonomous manner. In the cell culture assay, Qsm interacts with Dpy-ZPD and promotes secretion and polymerization of Dpy-ZPD. The roles of Qsm underlies the positive feedback mechanism of force-dependent organization of Dpy filaments, providing new insights into apical ECM remodeling through the unconventional interaction of ZPD proteins.
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
Nature faces the challenge of stably attaching soft muscles to a stiff skeleton. A new study combines live imaging and fly genetics to reveal that mechanical tension and a putative intracellular chaperone assist in assembling the gigantic extracellular matrix protein Dumpy at fly tendon-skeleton interfaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Sidor
- Turing Center for Living Systems, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IBDM, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Frank Schnorrer
- Turing Center for Living Systems, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IBDM, 13288 Marseille, France.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
New Insights into the Mammalian Egg Zona Pellucida. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063276. [PMID: 33806989 PMCID: PMC8005149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian oocytes are surrounded by an extracellular coat called the zona pellucida (ZP), which, from an evolutionary point of view, is the most ancient of the coats that envelope vertebrate oocytes and conceptuses. This matrix separates the oocyte from cumulus cells and is responsible for species-specific recognition between gametes, preventing polyspermy and protecting the preimplantation embryo. The ZP is a dynamic structure that shows different properties before and after fertilization. Until very recently, mammalian ZP was believed to be composed of only three glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3, as first described in mouse. However, studies have revealed that this composition is not necessarily applicable to other mammals. Such differences can be explained by an analysis of the molecular evolution of the ZP gene family, during which ZP genes have suffered pseudogenization and duplication events that have resulted in differing models of ZP protein composition. The many discoveries made in recent years related to ZP composition and evolution suggest that a compilation would be useful. Moreover, this review analyses ZP biosynthesis, the role of each ZP protein in different mammalian species and how these proteins may interact among themselves and with other proteins present in the oviductal lumen.
Collapse
|
38
|
Gupta SK. Human Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins: Binding Characteristics With Human Spermatozoa and Induction of Acrosome Reaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:619868. [PMID: 33681199 PMCID: PMC7928326 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.619868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Human zona pellucida (ZP) matrix is composed of four glycoproteins designated as ZP glycoprotein -1 (ZP1), -2 (ZP2), -3 (ZP3), and -4 (ZP4). Mutations in the genes encoding human ZP glycoproteins are one of the causative factors leading to abnormal ZP matrix and infertility in women. Relevance of the human ZP glycoproteins in 'sperm-oocyte' binding has been delineated by using either transgenic animal models expressing human zona proteins or purified native/recombinant human zona proteins. Studies based on the purified native/recombinant human zona proteins revealed that ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 primarily bind to the capacitated acrosome-intact human spermatozoa whereas ZP2 binds to acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. On the contrary, human spermatozoa binds to the eggs obtained from transgenic mouse lines expressing human ZP2 but not to those expressing human ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 suggesting that ZP2 has an important role in human 'sperm-oocyte' binding. Further studies using transgenic mouse lines showed that the N-terminus of human ZP2 mediate the taxon-specific human sperm-oocyte binding. Both glycans and protein-protein interactions have a role in human gamete interaction. Further studies have revealed that the purified native/recombinant human ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 are competent to induce acrosome reaction. Human sperm binds to the mouse transgenic eggs expressing human ZP1-4 instead of mouse ZP1-3 proteins, penetrated the ZP matrix and accumulated in the perivitelline space, which were acrosome-reacted suggesting that human ZP2 in transgenic mouse model also induce acrosome reaction. In humans N-linked glycosylation of zona proteins have been shown to play an important role in induction of the acrosome reaction. Hence in humans, based on studies using transgenic mouse model as well as purified native/recombinant zona proteins, it is likely that more than one zona protein is involved in the 'sperm-oocyte' binding and induction of the acrosome reaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satish Kumar Gupta
- Reproductive Cell Biology Lab, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Wu JX, He KY, Zhang ZZ, Qu YL, Su XB, Shi Y, Wang N, Wang L, Han ZG. LZP is required for hepatic triacylglycerol transportation through maintaining apolipoprotein B stability. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009357. [PMID: 33591966 PMCID: PMC7909667 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The conserved zona pellucida (ZP) domain is found in hundreds of extracellular proteins that are expressed in various organs and play a variety of roles as structural components, receptors and tumor suppressors. A liver-specific zona pellucida domain-containing protein (LZP), also named OIT3, has been shown to be mainly expressed in human and mouse hepatocytes; however, the physiological function of LZP in the liver remains unclear. Here, we show that Lzp deletion inhibited very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion, leading to hepatic TG accumulation and lower serum TG levels in mice. The apolipoprotein B (apoB) levels were significantly decreased in the liver, serum, and VLDL particles of LZP-deficient mice. In the presence of LZP, which is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus, the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of apoB was attenuated; in contrast, in the absence of LZP, apoB was ubiquitinated by AMFR, a known E3 ubiquitin ligase specific for apoB, and was subsequently degraded, leading to lower hepatic apoB levels and inhibited VLDL secretion. Interestingly, hepatic LZP levels were elevated in mice challenged with a high-fat diet and humans with simple hepatic steatosis, suggesting that LZP contributes to the physiological regulation of hepatic TG homeostasis. In general, our data establish an essential role for LZP in hepatic TG transportation and VLDL secretion by preventing the AMFR-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of apoB and therefore provide insight into the molecular function of LZP in hepatic lipid metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiao-Xiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine of Rui-Jin Hospital, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory for Disease and Health Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun-Yan He
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuang-Zhuang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine of Rui-Jin Hospital, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Lan Qu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian-Bin Su
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ze-Guang Han
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine of Rui-Jin Hospital, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory for Disease and Health Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Wang Y, Chen F, He J, Xue G, Chen J, Xie P. Cellular and molecular modification of egg envelope hardening in fertilization. Biochimie 2020; 181:134-144. [PMID: 33333173 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fertilization is an essential process that fundamentally impacts fitness. An egg changes dramatically after fertilization mediating the beginning of life, which mainly includes the transformation of the egg envelope via hardening, which is thought to be due to complex reactions involved in the conversion of cellular and molecular. This review highlights the mechanisms of egg envelope hardening in teleost fish. We conclude that the egg envelope hardening might be carried out in two steps. (a) A metalloprotease (alveolin) hydrolyzes the N-terminal proline-glutamine (Pro-Gln) region of zona pellucida (ZP) 1 and (b) triggers intermolecular cross-linking to ZP3 catalyzed by transglutaminase (TGase). The post-fertilization hardening of the egg envelope is an evolutionarily conserved phenomenon across species. We discuss the biochemical function and interaction of some factors reported to be essential to egg envelope hardening in mammalian and nonmammalian species, including metalloprotease, TGase, peroxidase/ovoperoxidase, and other factors (carbohydrate moieties, zinc and Larp6 proteins), and the relevant data suggest that egg envelope hardening is crucial to block polyspermy in internal fertilization, in addition to protecting the developing embryo from mechanical shock and preventing bacterial infection in external fertilization. Increased knowledge of the processes of egg envelope hardening and fertilization is likely to make a remarkable contribution to reproduction and aquaculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeke Wang
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jun He
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Ge Xue
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Ping Xie
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; Institute of Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environment, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Derer S, Brethack AK, Pietsch C, Jendrek ST, Nitzsche T, Bokemeyer A, Hov JR, Schäffler H, Bettenworth D, Grassl GA, Sina C. Inflammatory Bowel Disease-associated GP2 Autoantibodies Inhibit Mucosal Immune Response to Adherent-invasive Bacteria. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2020; 26:1856-1868. [PMID: 32304568 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izaa069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli have been suggested to play a pivotal role within the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Autoantibodies against distinct splicing variants of glycoprotein 2 (GP2), an intestinal receptor of the bacterial adhesin FimH, frequently occur in IBD patients. Hence, we aimed to functionally characterize GP2-directed autoantibodies as a putative part of IBD's pathophysiology. Ex vivo, GP2-splicing variant 4 (GP2#4) but not variant 2 was expressed on intestinal M or L cells with elevated expression patterns in IBD patients. The GP2#4 expression was induced in vitro by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The IBD-associated GP2 autoantibodies inhibited FimH binding to GP2#4 and were decreased in anti-TNFα-treated Crohn's disease patients with ileocolonic disease manifestation. In vivo, mice immunized against GP2 before infection with adherent-invasive bacteria displayed exacerbated intestinal inflammation. In summary, autoimmunity against intestinal expressed GP2#4 results in enhanced attachment of flagellated bacteria to the intestinal epithelium and thereby may drive IBD's pathophysiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Derer
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, Molecular Gastroenterology, University Hospital Schleswig- Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Brethack
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, Molecular Gastroenterology, University Hospital Schleswig- Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Carlotta Pietsch
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, Molecular Gastroenterology, University Hospital Schleswig- Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sebastian T Jendrek
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Thomas Nitzsche
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, Molecular Gastroenterology, University Hospital Schleswig- Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun Corp., Lübeck, Germany
| | - Arne Bokemeyer
- Department of Medicine B, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Johannes R Hov
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Norwegian PSC Research Center, Section of Gastroenterology and Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Diseases and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Holger Schäffler
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Dominik Bettenworth
- Department of Medicine B, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Guntram A Grassl
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Sina
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, Molecular Gastroenterology, University Hospital Schleswig- Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,1st Department of Medicine, Section of Nutritional Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Laguette MJN, Barrow K, Firfirey F, Dlamini S, Saunders CJ, Dandara C, Gamieldien J, Collins M, September AV. Exploring new genetic variants within COL5A1 intron 4-exon 5 region and TGF-β family with risk of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. J Orthop Res 2020; 38:1856-1865. [PMID: 31922278 DOI: 10.1002/jor.24585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Variants within genes encoding structural and regulatory elements of ligaments have been associated with musculoskeletal soft tissue injury risk. The role of intron 4-exon 5 variants within the α1 chain of type V collagen (COL5A1) gene and genes of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family, TGFBR3 and TGFBI, was investigated on the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. A case-control genetic association study was performed on 210 control (CON) and 249 participants with surgically diagnosed ruptures (ACL), of which 147 reported a noncontact mechanism of injury (NON). Whole-exome sequencing data were used to prioritize variants of potential functional relevance. Genotyping for COL5A1 (rs3922912 G>A, rs4841926 C>T, and rs3124299 C>T), TGFBR3 (rs1805113 G>A and rs1805117 T>C), and TGFBI (rs1442 G>C) was performed using Taqman SNP genotyping assays. Significant overrepresentation of the G allele of TGFBR3 rs1805113 was observed in CON vs ACL (P = .014) and NON groups (P = .021). Similar results were obtained in a female with the G allele (CON vs ACL: P = .029; CON vs NON: P = .016). The TGFBI rs1442 CC genotype was overrepresented in the female ACL vs CON (P = .013). Associations of inferred allele combinations were observed in line with the above results. COL5A1 intron 4-exon 5 genomic interval was not associated with the risk of ACL ruptures. Instead, this novel study is the first to use this approach to identify variants within the TGF-β signaling pathway to be implicated in the risk of ACL ruptures. A genetic susceptibility interval was identified to be explored in the context of extracellular matrix remodeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary-Jessica N Laguette
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (ESSM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) Collaborative Centre of Sports Medicine, ESSM, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Research Centre for Health Through Physical Activity and Sport, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kelly Barrow
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Firzana Firfirey
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (ESSM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) Collaborative Centre of Sports Medicine, ESSM, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Research Centre for Health Through Physical Activity and Sport, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Senanile Dlamini
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (ESSM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) Collaborative Centre of Sports Medicine, ESSM, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Research Centre for Health Through Physical Activity and Sport, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Colleen J Saunders
- South African National Bioinformatics Institute/MRC Unit for Bioinformatics Capacity, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, Bellville, South Africa.,Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Collet Dandara
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Junaid Gamieldien
- South African National Bioinformatics Institute/MRC Unit for Bioinformatics Capacity, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Malcolm Collins
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (ESSM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) Collaborative Centre of Sports Medicine, ESSM, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Research Centre for Health Through Physical Activity and Sport, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alison V September
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (ESSM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) Collaborative Centre of Sports Medicine, ESSM, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Research Centre for Health Through Physical Activity and Sport, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular matrix that surrounds all mammalian oocytes, eggs, and early embryos and plays vital roles during oogenesis, fertilization, and preimplantation development. The ZP is composed of three or four glycosylated proteins, ZP1–4, that are synthesized, processed, secreted, and assembled into long, cross-linked fibrils by growing oocytes. ZP proteins have an immunoglobulin-like three-dimensional structure and a ZP domain that consists of two subdomains, ZP-N and ZP-C, with ZP-N of ZP2 and ZP3 required for fibril assembly. A ZP2–ZP3 dimer is located periodically along ZP fibrils that are cross-linked by ZP1, a protein with a proline-rich N terminus. Fibrils in the inner and outer regions of the ZP are oriented perpendicular and parallel to the oolemma, respectively, giving the ZP a multilayered appearance. Upon fertilization of eggs, modification of ZP2 and ZP3 results in changes in the ZP's physical and biological properties that have important consequences. Certain structural features of ZP proteins suggest that they may be amyloid-like proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eveline S. Litscher
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;,
| | - Paul M. Wassarman
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;,
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Functional amyloids of eukaryotes: criteria, classification, and biological significance. Curr Genet 2020; 66:849-866. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-020-01079-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
45
|
Kim SK, Henen MA, Hinck AP. Structural biology of betaglycan and endoglin, membrane-bound co-receptors of the TGF-beta family. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:1547-1558. [PMID: 31601110 PMCID: PMC6920675 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219881160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Betaglycan and endoglin, membrane-bound co-receptors of the TGF-β family, are required to mediate the signaling of a select subset of TGF-β family ligands, TGF-β2 and InhA, and BMP-9 and BMP-10, respectively. Previous biochemical and biophysical methods suggested alternative modes of ligand binding might be responsible for these co-receptors to selectively recognize and potentiate the functions of their ligands, yet the molecular details were lacking. Recent progress determining structures of betaglycan and endoglin, both alone and as bound to their cognate ligands, is presented herein. The structures reveal relatively minor, but very significant structural differences that lead to entirely different modes of ligand binding. The different modes of binding nonetheless share certain commonalities, such as multivalency, which imparts the co-receptors with very high affinity for their cognate ligands, but at the same time provides a mechanism for release by stepwise binding of the signaling receptors, both of which are essential for their functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sun Kyung Kim
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University California
San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Morkos A Henen
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516,
Egypt
| | - Andrew P Hinck
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Kim DK, Kim JA, Park J, Niazi A, Almishaal A, Park S. The release of surface-anchored α-tectorin, an apical extracellular matrix protein, mediates tectorial membrane organization. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaay6300. [PMID: 31807709 PMCID: PMC6881170 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay6300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The tectorial membrane (TM) is an apical extracellular matrix (ECM) that hovers over the cochlear sensory epithelium and plays an essential role in auditory transduction. The TM forms facing the luminal endolymph-filled space and exhibits complex ultrastructure. Contrary to the current extracellular assembly model, which posits that secreted collagen fibrils and ECM components self-arrange in the extracellular space, we show that surface tethering of α-tectorin (TECTA) via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor is essential to prevent diffusion of secreted TM components. In the absence of surface-tethered TECTA, collagen fibrils aggregate randomly and fail to recruit TM glycoproteins. Conversely, conversion of TECTA into a transmembrane form results in a layer of collagens on the epithelial surface that fails to form a multilayered structure. We propose a three-dimensional printing model for TM morphogenesis: A new layer of ECM is printed on the cell surface concomitant with the release of a preestablished layer to generate the multilayered TM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Kyu Kim
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ju Ang Kim
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Joosang Park
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ava Niazi
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ali Almishaal
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Sungjin Park
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Gorreja F, Rush STA, Kasper DL, Meng D, Walker WA. The developmentally regulated fetal enterocyte gene, ZP4, mediates anti-inflammation by the symbiotic bacterial surface factor polysaccharide A on Bacteroides fragilis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2019; 317:G398-G407. [PMID: 31314571 PMCID: PMC6842988 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00046.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Initial colonizing bacteria play a critical role in completing the development of the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract of infants. Yet, the interaction of colonizing bacterial organisms with the developing human intestine favors inflammation over immune homeostasis. This characteristic of bacterial-intestinal interaction partially contributes to the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating premature infant intestinal inflammatory disease. However, paradoxically some unique pioneer bacteria (initial colonizing species) have been shown to have a beneficial effect on the homeostasis of the immature intestine and the prevention of inflammation. We have reported that one such pioneer bacterium, Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis), and its surface component polysaccharide A (PSA) inhibit IL-1β-induced inflammation in a human primary fetal small intestinal cell line (H4 cells). In this study, using transcription profiling of H4 cellular RNA after pretreatment with or without PSA before an inflammatory stimulation of IL-1β, we have begun to further determine the cellular mechanism for anti-inflammation. We show that a developmentally regulated gene, zona pellucida protein 4 (ZP4), is uniquely elevated after IL-1β stimulation and reduced with PSA exposure. ZP4 was known as a sperm receptor-mediating species-specific binding protein in the initial life of mammals. However, its intestinal epithelial function is unclear. We found that ZP4 is a developmentally regulated gene involved with immune function and regulated by both Toll-like receptor 2 and 4. Knockdown of ZP4-affected PSA inhibited IL-8 mRNA expression in response to IL-1β. This represents an initial study of ZP4 innate immune function in immature enterocytes. This study may lead to new opportunity for efficient treatment of NEC.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study extends previous observations to define the cellular mechanisms of polysaccharide A-induced anti-inflammation in immature enterocytes using transcription profiling of enterocyte genes after preexposure to polysaccharide A before an inflammatory stimulus with IL-1β.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frida Gorreja
- 1School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden,2Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stephen TA Rush
- 1School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Dennis L. Kasper
- 3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Boston, Massachusetts,5Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Di Meng
- 4Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts,5Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - W. Allan Walker
- 4Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts,5Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Moros-Nicolás C, Chevret P, Izquierdo-Rico MJ, Holt WV, Esteban-Díaz D, López-Béjar M, Martínez-Nevado E, Nilsson MA, Ballesta J, Avilés M. Composition of marsupial zona pellucida: a molecular and phylogenetic approach. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 30:721-733. [PMID: 29162213 DOI: 10.1071/rd16519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular matrix that surrounds mammalian oocytes. In eutherians it is formed from three or four proteins (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, ZP4). In the few marsupials that have been studied, however, only three of these have been characterised (ZP2, ZP3, ZP4). Nevertheless, the composition in marsupials may be more complex, since a duplication of the ZP3 gene was recently described in one species. The aim of this work was to elucidate the ZP composition in marsupials and relate it to the evolution of the ZP gene family. For that, an in silico and molecular analysis was undertaken, focusing on two South American species (gray short-tailed opossum and common opossum) and five Australian species (brushtail possum, koala, Bennett's wallaby, Tammar wallaby and Tasmanian devil). This analysis identified the presence of ZP1 mRNA and mRNA from two or three paralogues of ZP3 in marsupials. Furthermore, evidence for ZP1 and ZP4 pseudogenes in the South American subfamily Didelphinae and for ZP3 pseudogenes in two marsupials is provided. In conclusion, two different composition models are proposed for marsupials: a model with four proteins (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 (two copies)) for the South American species and a model with six proteins (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 (three copies) and ZP4) for the Australasian species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Moros-Nicolás
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum and IMIB, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Pascale Chevret
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne 69622, France
| | - María José Izquierdo-Rico
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum and IMIB, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | | | - Daniela Esteban-Díaz
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum and IMIB, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Manel López-Béjar
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Eva Martínez-Nevado
- Veterinary Department, Zoo-Aquarium Madrid, Casa de Campo s/n., Madrid 28011, Spain
| | - Maria A Nilsson
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, Frankfurt am Main D-60325, Germany
| | - José Ballesta
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum and IMIB, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Manuel Avilés
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum and IMIB, Murcia 30100, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Vijayakumar S, Jones SM, Jones TA, Tian C, Johnson KR. Spontaneous mutations of the Zpld1 gene in mice cause semicircular canal dysfunction but do not impair gravity receptor or hearing functions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12430. [PMID: 31455802 PMCID: PMC6711997 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48835-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The cupula is a gelatinous membrane overlying the crista ampullaris of the semicircular canal, important for sensing rotation of the head and critical for normal balance. Recently the zona pellucida like domain containing 1 protein (ZPLD1, also known as cupulin) was identified in the cupula of fish. Here, we describe two new spontaneous mutations in the mouse Zpld1 gene, which were discovered by the circling behavior of mutant mice, an indicator of balance dysfunction. The Zpld1 mutant mice exhibited normal hearing function as assessed by auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements, and their otolithic organs appeared normal. In the inner ear, Zpld1 mRNA expression was detected only in the hair cells and supporting cells of the crista ampullaris. Normal vestibular sensory evoked potential (VsEP) responses and abnormal vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) responses demonstrated that the vestibular dysfunction of the Zpld1 mutant mice is caused by loss of sensory input for rotary head movements (detected by cristae ampullaris) and not by loss of input for linear head translations (detected by maculae of the utricle and saccule). Taken together, these results are consistent with ZPLD1 being an important functional component of the cupula, but not tectorial or otoconial membranes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarath Vijayakumar
- Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA.,Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sherri M Jones
- Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Timothy A Jones
- Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA.
| | - Cong Tian
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Mahmoudian J, Ghods R, Nazari M, Jeddi-Tehrani M, Ghahremani MH, Ghaffari-Tabrizi-Wizsy N, Ostad SN, Zarnani AH. PLAC1: biology and potential application in cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:1039-1058. [PMID: 31165204 PMCID: PMC11028298 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02350-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapy has revolutionized medical oncology with unprecedented advances in cancer treatment over the past two decades. However, a major obstacle in cancer immunotherapy is identifying appropriate tumor-specific antigens to make targeted therapy achievable with fewer normal cells being impaired. The similarity between placentation and tumor development and growth has inspired many investigators to discover antigens for effective immunotherapy of cancers. Placenta-specific 1 (PLAC1) is one of the recently discovered placental antigens with limited normal tissue expression and fundamental roles in placental function and development. There is a growing body of evidence showing that PLAC1 is frequently activated in a wide variety of cancer types and promotes cancer progression. Based on the restricted expression of PLAC1 in testis, placenta and a wide variety of cancers, we have designated this molecule with new terminology, cancer-testis-placenta (CTP) antigen, a feature that PLAC1 shares with many other cancer testis antigens. Recent reports from our lab provide compelling evidence on the preferential expression of PLAC1 in prostate cancer and its potential utility in prostate cancer immunotherapy. PLAC1 may be regarded as a potential CTP antigen for targeted cancer immunotherapy based on the available data on its promoting function in cancer development and also its expression in cancers of different histological origin. In this review, we will summarize current data on PLAC1 with emphasis on its association with cancer development and immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jafar Mahmoudian
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Ghods
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Nazari
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Ghahremani
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Pharmacology Building, Enghelab St., Tehran, 1417614411, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Nasser Ostad
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Pharmacology Building, Enghelab St., Tehran, 1417614411, Iran.
| | - Amir-Hassan Zarnani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Nafisi Building, Enghelab St., Tehran, 1417613151, Iran.
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|