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Wilson CA, Batzel P, Postlethwait JH. Direct male development in chromosomally ZZ zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1362228. [PMID: 38529407 PMCID: PMC10961373 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1362228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The genetics of sex determination varies across taxa, sometimes even within a species. Major domesticated strains of zebrafish (Danio rerio), including AB and TU, lack a strong genetic sex determining locus, but strains more recently derived from nature, like Nadia (NA), possess a ZZ male/ZW female chromosomal sex-determination system. AB fish pass through a juvenile ovary stage, forming oocytes that survive in fish that become females but die in fish that become males. To understand mechanisms of gonad development in NA zebrafish, we studied histology and single cell transcriptomics in developing ZZ and ZW fish. ZW fish developed oocytes by 22 days post-fertilization (dpf) but ZZ fish directly formed testes, avoiding a juvenile ovary phase. Gonads of some ZW and WW fish, however, developed oocytes that died as the gonad became a testis, mimicking AB fish, suggesting that the gynogenetically derived AB strain is chromosomally WW. Single-cell RNA-seq of 19dpf gonads showed similar cell types in ZZ and ZW fish, including germ cells, precursors of gonadal support cells, steroidogenic cells, interstitial/stromal cells, and immune cells, consistent with a bipotential juvenile gonad. In contrast, scRNA-seq of 30dpf gonads revealed that cells in ZZ gonads had transcriptomes characteristic of testicular Sertoli, Leydig, and germ cells while ZW gonads had granulosa cells, theca cells, and developing oocytes. Hematopoietic and vascular cells were similar in both sex genotypes. These results show that juvenile NA zebrafish initially develop a bipotential gonad; that a factor on the NA W chromosome, or fewer than two Z chromosomes, is essential to initiate oocyte development; and without the W factor, or with two Z doses, NA gonads develop directly into testes without passing through the juvenile ovary stage. Sex determination in AB and TU strains mimics NA ZW and WW zebrafish, suggesting loss of the Z chromosome during domestication. Genetic analysis of the NA strain will facilitate our understanding of the evolution of sex determination mechanisms.
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Qi S, Dai S, Zhou X, Wei X, Chen P, He Y, Kocher TD, Wang D, Li M. Dmrt1 is the only male pathway gene tested indispensable for sex determination and functional testis development in tilapia. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011210. [PMID: 38536778 PMCID: PMC10971778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex is determined by multiple factors derived from somatic and germ cells in vertebrates. We have identified amhy, dmrt1, gsdf as male and foxl2, foxl3, cyp19a1a as female sex determination pathway genes in Nile tilapia. However, the relationship among these genes is largely unclear. Here, we found that the gonads of dmrt1;cyp19a1a double mutants developed as ovaries or underdeveloped testes with no germ cells irrespective of their genetic sex. In addition, the gonads of dmrt1;cyp19a1a;cyp19a1b triple mutants still developed as ovaries. The gonads of foxl3;cyp19a1a double mutants developed as testes, while the gonads of dmrt1;cyp19a1a;foxl3 triple mutants eventually developed as ovaries. In contrast, the gonads of amhy;cyp19a1a, gsdf;cyp19a1a, amhy;foxl2, gsdf;foxl2 double and amhy;cyp19a1a;cyp19a1b, gsdf;cyp19a1a;cyp19a1b triple mutants developed as testes with spermatogenesis via up-regulation of dmrt1 in both somatic and germ cells. The gonads of amhy;foxl3 and gsdf;foxl3 double mutants developed as ovaries but with germ cells in spermatogenesis due to up-regulation of dmrt1. Taking the respective ovary and underdeveloped testis of dmrt1;foxl3 and dmrt1;foxl2 double mutants reported previously into consideration, we demonstrated that once dmrt1 mutated, the gonad could not be rescued to functional testis by mutating any female pathway gene. The sex reversal caused by mutation of male pathway genes other than dmrt1, including its upstream amhy and downstream gsdf, could be rescued by mutating female pathway gene. Overall, our data suggested that dmrt1 is the only male pathway gene tested indispensable for sex determination and functional testis development in tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Qi
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shengfei Dai
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xueyan Wei
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanyuan He
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Thomas D. Kocher
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Deshou Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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He M, Li Y, Li Y, Dong B, Yu H. Dynamics of Chromatin Opening across Larval Development in the Urochordate Ascidian Ciona savignyi. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2793. [PMID: 38474039 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Ascidian larvae undergo tail elongation and notochord lumenogenesis, making them an ideal model for investigating tissue morphogenesis in embryogenesis. The cellular and mechanical mechanisms of these processes have been studied; however, the underlying molecular regulatory mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, assays for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were applied to investigate potential regulators of the development of ascidian Ciona savignyi larvae. Our results revealed 351 and 138 differentially accessible region genes through comparisons of ATAC-seq data between stages 21 and 24 and between stages 24 and 25, respectively. A joint analysis of RNA-seq and ATAC-seq data revealed a correlation between chromatin accessibility and gene transcription. We further verified the tissue expression patterns of 12 different genes. Among them, Cs-matrix metalloproteinase 24 (MMP24) and Cs-krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) were highly expressed in notochord cells. Functional assay results demonstrated that both genes are necessary for notochord lumen formation and expansion. Finally, we performed motif enrichment analysis of the differentially accessible regions in different tailbud stages and summarized the potential roles of these motif-bearing transcription factors in larval development. Overall, our study found a correlation between gene expression and chromatin accessibility and provided a vital resource for understanding the mechanisms of the development of ascidian embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muchun He
- Fang Zongxi Center for Marine EvoDevo, MoE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Yuting Li
- Fang Zongxi Center for Marine EvoDevo, MoE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yajuan Li
- Fang Zongxi Center for Marine EvoDevo, MoE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Bo Dong
- Fang Zongxi Center for Marine EvoDevo, MoE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
- MoE Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Haiyan Yu
- Fang Zongxi Center for Marine EvoDevo, MoE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
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Shen Q, Zhao X, Ji Y, Chai P. Deletion of cis-regulatory Element in FOXL2 Promoter in a Chinese Family of Type II Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus Inversus Syndrome with Polydactyly. J Craniofac Surg 2024; 35:e52-e56. [PMID: 37938073 PMCID: PMC10749674 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000009801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a relatively uncommon autosomal-dominant genetic disorder, primarily attributed to mutations in the forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) gene. Albeit the involvement of protein-coding regions of FOXL2 has been observed in the majority of BPES cases, whether deficiencies in regulatory elements lead to the pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Herein, an autosomal-dominant BPES type II family was included. Peripheral venous blood has been collected, and genomic DNA has been extracted from leukocytes. A whole exome sequencing analysis has been performed and analyzed (Deposited in NODE database: OER422653). The promoter region of FOXL2 was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify the activity of this region. In this study, we present a Chinese family diagnosed with type II BPES, characterized by the presence of small palpebral fissures, ptosis, telecanthus, and epicanthus inversus. Notably, all male individuals within the family display polydactyly. A 225-bp deletion in the 556-bp 5'-upstream to transcription start site of FOXL2 , decorated by multiple histone modifications, was identified in affected members of the family. This deletion significantly decreased FOXL2 promoter activity, as measured by the luciferase assay. Conclusively, a novel 255-bp-deletion of the FOXL2 promoter was identified in Chinese families with BPES. Our results expand the spectrum of known FOXL2 mutations and provide additional insight into the genotype-phenotype relationships of the BPES pathogenesis. In addition, this study indicates the important role of genetic screening of cis-regulatory elements in testing heritable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojun Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongrong Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Li M, Sun L, Zhou L, Wang D. Tilapia, a good model for studying reproductive endocrinology. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 345:114395. [PMID: 37879418 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), with a system of XX/XY sex determination, is a worldwide farmed fish with a shorter sexual maturation time than that of most cultured fish. Tilapia show a spawning cycle of approximately 14 days and can be artificially propagated in the laboratory all year round to obtain genetically all female (XX) and all male (XY) fry. Its genome sequence has been opened, and a perfect gene editing platform has been established. With a moderate body size, it is convenient for taking enough blood to measure hormone level. In recent years, using tilapia as animal model, we have confirmed that estrogen is crucial for female development because 1) mutation of star2, cyp17a1 or cyp19a1a (encoding aromatase, the key enzyme for estrogen synthesis) results in sex reversal (SR) due to estrogen deficiency in XX tilapia, while mutation of star1, cyp11a1, cyp17a2, cyp19a1b or cyp11c1 affects fertility due to abnormal androgen, cortisol and DHP levels in XY tilapia; 2) when the estrogen receptors (esr2a/esr2b) are mutated, the sex is reversed from female to male, while when the androgen receptors are mutated, the sex cannot be reversed; 3) the differentiated ovary can be transdifferentiated into functional testis by inhibition of estrogen synthesis, and the differentiated testis can be transdifferentiated into ovary by simultaneous addition of exogenous estrogen and androgen synthase inhibitor; 4) loss of male pathway genes amhy, dmrt1, gsdf causes SR with upregulation of cyp19a1a in XY tilapia. Disruption of estrogen synthesis rescues the male to female SR of amhy and gsdf but not dmrt1 mutants; 5) mutation of female pathway genes foxl2 and sf-1 causes SR with downregulation of cyp19a1a in XX tilapia; 6) the germ cell SR of foxl3 mutants fails to be rescued by estrogen treatment, indicating that estrogen determines female germ cell fate through foxl3. This review also summarized the effects of deficiency of other steroid hormones, such as androgen, DHP and cortisol, on fish reproduction. Overall, these studies demonstrate that tilapia is an excellent animal model for studying reproductive endocrinology of fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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Wilson CA, Batzel P, Postlethwait JH. Direct Male Development in Chromosomally ZZ Zebrafish. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.27.573483. [PMID: 38234788 PMCID: PMC10793451 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.27.573483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The genetics of sex determination varies across taxa, sometimes even within a species. Major domesticated strains of zebrafish ( Danio rerio ), including AB and TU, lack a strong genetic sex determining locus, but strains more recently derived from nature, like Nadia (NA), possess a ZZ male/ZW female chromosomal sex-determination system. AB strain fish pass through a juvenile ovary stage, forming oocytes that survive in fish that become females but die in fish that become males. To understand mechanisms of gonad development in NA zebrafish, we studied histology and single cell transcriptomics in developing ZZ and ZW fish. ZW fish developed oocytes by 22 days post-fertilization (dpf) but ZZ fish directly formed testes, avoiding a juvenile ovary phase. Gonads of some ZW and WW fish, however, developed oocytes that died as the gonad became a testis, mimicking AB fish, suggesting that the gynogenetically derived AB strain is chromosomally WW. Single-cell RNA-seq of 19dpf gonads showed similar cell types in ZZ and ZW fish, including germ cells, precursors of gonadal support cells, steroidogenic cells, interstitial/stromal cells, and immune cells, consistent with a bipotential juvenile gonad. In contrast, scRNA-seq of 30dpf gonads revealed that cells in ZZ gonads had transcriptomes characteristic of testicular Sertoli, Leydig, and germ cells while ZW gonads had granulosa cells, theca cells, and developing oocytes. Hematopoietic and vascular cells were similar in both sex genotypes. These results show that juvenile NA zebrafish initially develop a bipotential gonad; that a factor on the NA W chromosome or fewer than two Z chromosomes is essential to initiate oocyte development; and without the W factor or with two Z doses, NA gonads develop directly into testes without passing through the juvenile ovary stage. Sex determination in AB and TU strains mimics NA ZW and WW zebrafish, suggesting loss of the Z chromosome during domestication. Genetic analysis of the NA strain will facilitate our understanding of the evolution of sex determination mechanisms.
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Wei Y, Huang D, Ye Z, Jiang Z, Ge L, Ren Y, Wang J, Xu X, Yang J, Wang T. Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals key genes and pathways related to gonad development in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 48:101144. [PMID: 37769382 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101144] [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: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is an economically important marine species in China, and understanding the mechanisms underlying its gonad development is crucial for successful reproduction and breeding. In this study, we performed transcriptome comparisons and analyses of A. japonicus gonadal and non-gonadal tissues to identify genes and molecular pathways associated with gonadal development. We also supplemented the annotation of the A. japonicus genome. Collectively, results revealed a total of 941 ovary-specific genes and 2499 testis-specific genes through different expression analysis and WGCNA analysis. The most enriched pathways in ovary and testis were "DNA replication" and "purine metabolism", respectively. Additionally, we identified key candidate gene modules that control gonad development and germ cell maturation, with CDT1 and DYNC2LI1 serving as hub genes. Our findings provide important insights into the gonadal development system of A. japonicus and offer valuable references for further research on reproductive biology in this marine invertebrate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wei
- National Engineering Laboratory of Marine Germplasm Resources Exploration and Utilization, Marine Science College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Dexiang Huang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Marine Germplasm Resources Exploration and Utilization, Marine Science College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqing Ye
- National Engineering Laboratory of Marine Germplasm Resources Exploration and Utilization, Marine Science College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijing Jiang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Marine Germplasm Resources Exploration and Utilization, Marine Science College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Lifei Ge
- National Engineering Laboratory of Marine Germplasm Resources Exploration and Utilization, Marine Science College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Yucheng Ren
- National Engineering Laboratory of Marine Germplasm Resources Exploration and Utilization, Marine Science College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Jixiu Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Marine Germplasm Resources Exploration and Utilization, Marine Science College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuwen Xu
- National Engineering Laboratory of Marine Germplasm Resources Exploration and Utilization, Marine Science College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingwen Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Marine Germplasm Resources Exploration and Utilization, Marine Science College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianming Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Marine Germplasm Resources Exploration and Utilization, Marine Science College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, People's Republic of China.
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Yao HHC, Rodriguez KF. From Enrico Sertoli to freemartinism: the many phases of the master testis-determining cell†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:866-870. [PMID: 36951956 PMCID: PMC10266947 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad037] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells, first identified in the adult testis by Enrico Sertoli in the mid-nineteenth century, are known for their role in fostering male germ cell differentiation and production of mature sperm. It was not until the late twentieth century with the discovery of the testis-determining gene SRY that Sertoli cells' new function as the master regulator of testis formation and maleness was unveiled. Fetal Sertoli cells facilitate the establishment of seminiferous cords, induce appearance of androgen-producing Leydig cells, and cause regression of the female reproductive tracts. Originally thought be a terminally differentiated cell type, adult Sertoli cells, at least in the mouse, retain their plasticity and ability to transdifferentiate into the ovarian counterpart, granulosa cells. In this review, we capture the many phases of Sertoli cell differentiation from their fate specification in fetal life to fate maintenance in adulthood. We also introduce the discovery of a new phase of fetal Sertoli cell differentiation via autocrine/paracrine factors with the freemartin characteristics. There remains much to learn about this intriguing cell type that lay the foundation for the maleness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humphrey Hung-Chang Yao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Karina F Rodriguez
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Wagner S, Whiteley SL, Castelli M, Patel HR, Deveson IW, Blackburn J, Holleley CE, Marshall Graves JA, Georges A. Gene expression of male pathway genes sox9 and amh during early sex differentiation in a reptile departs from the classical amniote model. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:243. [PMID: 37147622 PMCID: PMC10163765 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09334-0] [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: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex determination is the process whereby the bipotential embryonic gonads become committed to differentiate into testes or ovaries. In genetic sex determination (GSD), the sex determining trigger is encoded by a gene on the sex chromosomes, which activates a network of downstream genes; in mammals these include SOX9, AMH and DMRT1 in the male pathway, and FOXL2 in the female pathway. Although mammalian and avian GSD systems have been well studied, few data are available for reptilian GSD systems. RESULTS We conducted an unbiased transcriptome-wide analysis of gonad development throughout differentiation in central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) embryos with GSD. We found that sex differentiation of transcriptomic profiles occurs at a very early stage, before the gonad consolidates as a body distinct from the gonad-kidney complex. The male pathway genes dmrt1 and amh and the female pathway gene foxl2 play a key role in early sex differentiation in P. vitticeps, but the central player of the mammalian male trajectory, sox9, is not differentially expressed in P. vitticeps at the bipotential stage. The most striking difference from GSD systems of other amniotes is the high expression of the male pathway genes amh and sox9 in female gonads during development. We propose that a default male trajectory progresses if not repressed by a W-linked dominant gene that tips the balance of gene expression towards the female trajectory. Further, weighted gene expression correlation network analysis revealed novel candidates for male and female sex differentiation. CONCLUSION Our data reveal that interpretation of putative mechanisms of GSD in reptiles cannot solely depend on lessons drawn from mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Wagner
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
| | - Sarah L Whiteley
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
- Australian National Wildlife Collection CSIRO, National Research Collections Australia, Crace, ACT, Australia
| | - Meghan Castelli
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
- Australian National Wildlife Collection CSIRO, National Research Collections Australia, Crace, ACT, Australia
| | - Hardip R Patel
- Genome Sciences Department. John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ira W Deveson
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James Blackburn
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Clare E Holleley
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
- Australian National Wildlife Collection CSIRO, National Research Collections Australia, Crace, ACT, Australia
| | - Jennifer A Marshall Graves
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Arthur Georges
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
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Zhang T, Zhang M, Sun Y, Li L, Cheng P, Li X, Wang N, Chen S, Xu W. Identification and Functional Analysis of foxo Genes in Chinese Tongue Sole ( Cynoglossus semilaevis). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087625. [PMID: 37108789 PMCID: PMC10142177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087625] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) is a traditional, precious fish in China. Due to the large growth difference between males and females, the investigation of their sex determination and differentiation mechanisms receives a great deal of attention. Forkhead Box O (FoxO) plays versatile roles in the regulation of sex differentiation and reproduction. Our recent transcriptomic analysis has shown that foxo genes may participate in the male differentiation and spermatogenesis of Chinese tongue sole. In this study, six Csfoxo members (Csfoxo1a, Csfoxo3a, Csfoxo3b, Csfoxo4, Csfoxo6-like, and Csfoxo1a-like) were identified. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these six members were clustered into four groups corresponding to their denomination. The expression patterns of the gonads at different developmental stages were further analyzed. All members showed high levels of expression in the early stages (before 6 months post-hatching), and this expression was male-biased. In addition, promoter analysis found that the addition of C/EBPα and c-Jun transcription factors enhanced the transcriptional activities of Csfoxo1a, Csfoxo3a, Csfoxo3b, and Csfoxo4. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of the Csfoxo1a, Csfoxo3a, and Csfoxo3b genes in the testicular cell line of Chinese tongue sole affected the expression of genes related to sex differentiation and spermatogenesis. These results have broadened the understanding of foxo's function and provide valuable data for studying the male differentiation of tongue sole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
- School of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Mengqian Zhang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuxuan Sun
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Lu Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Peng Cheng
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xihong Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Na Wang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Songlin Chen
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wenteng Xu
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
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11
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Adolfi MC, Depincé A, Wen M, Pan Q, Herpin A. Development of Ovaries and Sex Change in Fish: Bringing Potential into Action. Sex Dev 2023; 17:84-98. [PMID: 36878204 DOI: 10.1159/000526008] [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: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Encompassing about half of the 60,000 species of vertebrates, fish display the greatest diversity of sex determination mechanisms among metazoans. As such that phylum offers a unique playground to study the impressive variety of gonadal morphogenetic strategies, ranging from gonochorism, with either genetic or environmental sex determination, to unisexuality, with either simultaneous or consecutive hermaphroditism. SUMMARY From the two main types of gonads, the ovaries embrace the important role to produce the larger and non-motile gametes, which is the basis for the development of a future organism. The production of the egg cells is complex and involves the formation of follicular cells, which are necessary for the maturation of the oocytes and the production of feminine hormones. In this vein, our review focuses on the development of ovaries in fish with special emphasis on the germ cells, including those that transition from one sex to the other as part of their life cycle and those that are capable of transitioning to the opposite sex depending on environmental cues. KEY MESSAGES Clearly, establishing an individual as either a female or a male is not accomplished by the sole development of two types of gonads. In most cases, that dichotomy, be it final or transient, is accompanied by coordinated transformations across the entire organism, leading to changes in the physiological sex as a whole. These coordinated transformations require both molecular and neuroendocrine networks, but also anatomical and behavioural adjustments. Remarkably, fish managed to tame the ins and outs of sex reversal mechanisms to take the most advantages of changing sex as adaptive strategies in some situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Contar Adolfi
- Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Ming Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiaowei Pan
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amaury Herpin
- Fish Physiology and Genomics, INRAE, UR 1037, Rennes, France
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12
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Identification of sex-specific splicing via comparative transcriptome analysis of gonads from sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 45:101031. [PMID: 36371882 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2022.101031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is an essential post-transcriptional regulation mechanism for sex differentiation and gonadal development, which has rarely been reported in marine invertebrates. Sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is an economically important marine benthic echinoderm with a potential XX/XY sex determination mechanism, whose molecular mechanism in the gonadal differentiation has not been clearly understood. In this study, we analyzed available RNA-seq datasets of male and female gonads to explore if AS mechanism exerts an essential function in sex differentiation and gonadal development of A. japonicus. In our results, a total of 20,338 AS events from 7219 alternatively spliced genes, and 189 sexually differential alternative splicing (DAS) events from 156 genes were identified in gonadal transcriptome of sea cucumber. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that these DAS genes were significantly enriched in spermatogenesis-related GO terms. Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC) was then applied for protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis to search for protein interactions and hub DAS gene. Among all DAS genes, we identified 10 DAS genes closely related to spermatogenesis and (or) sperm motility and a hub gene dnah1. Thus, this study revealed that alternative isoforms were generated from certain genes in female and male gonads through alternative splicing, which may provide direct evidence that alternative splicing mechanisms participate in female and male gonads. These results suggested a novel perspective for explaining the molecular mechanisms underlying gonadal differentiation between male and female sea cucumbers.
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13
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Long X, Charlesworth D, Qi J, Wu R, Chen M, Wang Z, Xu L, Fu H, Zhang X, Chen X, He L, Zheng L, Huang Z, Zhou Q. Independent Evolution of Sex Chromosomes and Male Pregnancy-Related Genes in Two Seahorse Species. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 40:6964685. [PMID: 36578180 PMCID: PMC9851323 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac279] [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: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike birds and mammals, many teleosts have homomorphic sex chromosomes, and changes in the chromosome carrying the sex-determining locus, termed "turnovers", are common. Recent turnovers allow studies of several interesting questions. One question is whether the new sex-determining regions evolve to become completely non-recombining, and if so, how and why. Another is whether (as predicted) evolutionary changes that benefit one sex accumulate in the newly sex-linked region. To study these questions, we analyzed the genome sequences of two seahorse species of the Syngnathidae, a fish group in which many species evolved a unique structure, the male brood pouch. We find that both seahorse species have XY sex chromosome systems, but their sex chromosome pairs are not homologs, implying that at least one turnover event has occurred. The Y-linked regions occupy 63.9% and 95.1% of the entire sex chromosome of the two species and do not exhibit extensive sequence divergence with their X-linked homologs. We find evidence for occasional recombination between the extant sex chromosomes that may account for their homomorphism. We argue that these Y-linked regions did not evolve by recombination suppression after the turnover, but by the ancestral nature of the low crossover rates in these chromosome regions. With such an ancestral crossover landscape, a turnover can instantly create an extensive Y-linked region. Finally, we test for adaptive evolution of male pouch-related genes after they became Y-linked in the seahorse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Long
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China,Research Center for Intelligent Computing Platforms, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou 311100, China
| | - Deborah Charlesworth
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LF, UK
| | - Jianfei Qi
- Department of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, Xiamen 361013, China
| | - Ruiqiong Wu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Meiling Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zongji Wang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Luohao Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Honggao Fu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xueping Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xinxin Chen
- Department of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, Xiamen 361013, China
| | - Libin He
- Department of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, Xiamen 361013, China
| | | | | | - Qi Zhou
- Corresponding authors: E-mails: ; ;
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14
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Han W, Liu L, Wang J, Wei H, Li Y, Zhang L, Guo Z, Li Y, Liu T, Zeng Q, Xing Q, Shu Y, Wang T, Yang Y, Zhang M, Li R, Yu J, Pu Z, Lv J, Lian S, Hu J, Hu X, Bao Z, Bao L, Zhang L, Wang S. Ancient homomorphy of molluscan sex chromosomes sustained by reversible sex-biased genes and sex determiner translocation. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:1891-1906. [PMID: 36280781 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01898-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Contrary to classic theory prediction, sex-chromosome homomorphy is prevalent in the animal kingdom but it is unclear how ancient homomorphic sex chromosomes avoid chromosome-scale degeneration. Molluscs constitute the second largest, Precambrian-originated animal phylum and have ancient, uncharacterized homomorphic sex chromosomes. Here, we profile eight genomes of the bivalve mollusc family of Pectinidae in a phylogenetic context and show 350 million years sex-chromosome homomorphy, which is the oldest known sex-chromosome homomorphy in the animal kingdom, far exceeding the ages of well-known heteromorphic sex chromosomes such as 130-200 million years in mammals, birds and flies. The long-term undifferentiation of molluscan sex chromosomes is potentially sustained by the unexpected intertwined regulation of reversible sex-biased genes, together with the lack of sexual dimorphism and occasional sex chromosome turnover. The pleiotropic constraint of regulation of reversible sex-biased genes is widely present in ancient homomorphic sex chromosomes and might be resolved in heteromorphic sex chromosomes through gene duplication followed by subfunctionalization. The evolutionary dynamics of sex chromosomes suggest a mechanism for 'inheritance' turnover of sex-determining genes that is mediated by translocation of a sex-determining enhancer. On the basis of these findings, we propose an evolutionary model for the long-term preservation of homomorphic sex chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Han
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Liangjie Liu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Huilan Wei
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuli Li
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Lijing Zhang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhenyi Guo
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Yajuan Li
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Tian Liu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Qifan Zeng
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China
| | - Qiang Xing
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Ya Shu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Tong Wang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Yaxin Yang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Meiwei Zhang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Ruojiao Li
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiachen Yu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhongqi Pu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Jia Lv
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Shanshan Lian
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Jingjie Hu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China
| | - Xiaoli Hu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhenmin Bao
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China
| | - Lisui Bao
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
| | - Shi Wang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China.
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15
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Zhang X, Wu W, Zhou J, Li L, Jiang H, Chen J. MiR-34b/c play a role in early sex differentiation of Amur sturgeon, Acipenser schrenckii. Front Zool 2022; 19:23. [PMID: 36163040 PMCID: PMC9511750 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-022-00469-6] [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: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sex differentiation can be viewed as a controlled regulatory balance between sex differentiation-related mRNAs and post-transcriptional mechanisms mediated by non-coding RNAs. In mammals, increasing evidence has been reported regarding the importance of gonad-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in sex differentiation. Although many fishes express a large number of gonadal miRNAs, the effects of these sex-biased miRNAs on sex differentiation in teleost fish remain unknown. Previous studies have shown the exclusive and sexually dimorphic expression of miR-34b/c in the gonads of the Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii), suggesting its potential role in the sex differentiation process. Results Using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), we observed that miR-34b/c showed consistent spatiotemporal expression patterns; the expression levels significantly increased during early sex differentiation. Using in situ hybridization, miR-34c was found to be located in the germ cells. In primary germ cells in vitro, the group subjected to overexpression and inhibition of miR-34c showed significantly higher proliferation ability and lower apoptosis, respectively, compared to the corresponding control group. Luciferase reporter assays using the ar-3′UTR-psiCHECK-2 luciferase vector suggested a targeted regulatory interaction between miR-34b/c and the 3′UTR of the androgen receptor (ar) mRNA. Furthermore, miR-34b/c and ar showed negative expression patterns during early sex differentiation. Additionally, a negative feedback regulation pattern was observed between foxl2 expression in the ovaries and amh and sox9 expression in the testes during early sex differentiation. Conclusions This study sheds new light on the roles of miR-34b/c in gonad development of Amur sturgeon, and provides the first comprehensive evidence that the gonad-predominant microRNAs may have a major role in sex differentiation in teleost fish. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-022-00469-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhua Wu
- Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Jiabin Zhou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linmiao Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiying Jiang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinping Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
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16
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Nicol B, Estermann MA, Yao HHC, Mellouk N. Becoming female: Ovarian differentiation from an evolutionary perspective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:944776. [PMID: 36158204 PMCID: PMC9490121 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.944776] [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: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of the bipotential gonadal primordium into ovaries and testes is a common process among vertebrate species. While vertebrate ovaries eventually share the same functions of producing oocytes and estrogens, ovarian differentiation relies on different morphogenetic, cellular, and molecular cues depending on species. The aim of this review is to highlight the conserved and divergent features of ovarian differentiation through an evolutionary perspective. From teleosts to mammals, each clade or species has a different story to tell. For this purpose, this review focuses on three specific aspects of ovarian differentiation: ovarian morphogenesis, the evolution of the role of estrogens on ovarian differentiation and the molecular pathways involved in granulosa cell determination and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Nicol
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Barbara Nicol,
| | - Martin A. Estermann
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Humphrey H-C Yao
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Namya Mellouk
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy en Josas, France
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17
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Merdrignac C, Clément AE, Montfort J, Murat F, Bobe J. auts2 Features and Expression Are Highly Conserved during Evolution Despite Different Evolutionary Fates Following Whole Genome Duplication. Cells 2022; 11:2694. [PMID: 36078102 PMCID: PMC9454499 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The AUTS2 gene plays major roles during brain development and is associated with various neuropathologies including autism. Data in non-mammalian species are scarce, and the aim of our study was to provide a comprehensive analysis of auts2 evolution in teleost fish, which are widely used for in vivo functional analysis and biomedical purposes. Comparative genomics in 78 species showed that auts2a and auts2b originate from the teleost-specific whole genome duplication (TGD). auts2a, which is highly similar to human AUTS2, was almost systematically retained following TGD. In contrast, auts2b, which encodes for a shorter protein similar to a short human AUTS2 isoform, was lost more frequently and independently during evolution. RNA-seq analysis in 10 species revealed a highly conserved profile with predominant expression of both genes in the embryo, brain, and gonads. Based on protein length, conserved domains, and expression profiles, we speculate that the long human isoform functions were retained by auts2a, while the short isoform functions were retained by auts2a and/or auts2b, depending on the lineage/species. auts2a showed a burst in expression during medaka brain formation, where it was expressed in areas of the brain associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Together, our data suggest a strong conservation of auts2 functions in vertebrates despite different evolutionary scenarios in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Julien Bobe
- INRAE, LPGP UR1037, Fish Physiology and Genomics, Campus de Beaulieu, F-35000 Rennes, France
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18
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Lei L, Chen C, Zhu J, Wang Y, Liu X, Liu H, Geng L, Su J, Li W, Zhu X. Transcriptome analysis reveals key genes and pathways related to sex differentiation in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2022; 42:100986. [PMID: 35447559 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2022.100986] [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: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Most vertebrates exhibit sexual dimorphisms in size, colour, behaviour, physiology and many others. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) male individuals reach a larger size than females which produce significant economic implications in aquaculture. However, the mechanisms of sex determination and plastic patterns of sex differentiation in P. sinensis remain unclear. Here, comparative transcriptome analysis on male and female embryonic gonads prior to gonad formation and stages mediated gonadal differentiation of P. sinensis were performed to characterize the potential sex-related genes and their molecular pathways in P. sinensis. A total of 6369 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from day 9 and day 16 and assigned to 626 GO pathways and 161 KEGG signalling pathways, including ovarian steroidogenesis pathway, steroid hormone biosynthesis pathways, and the GnRH signalling pathway (P < 0.05). Moreover, protein interaction network analyses revealed that Akr1c3, Sult2b1, Sts, Cyp3a, Cyp1b1, Sox30 and Lhx9 might be key candidate genes for sex differentiation in P. sinensis. These data provide a genomic rationale for the sex differentiation of P. sinensis and enrich the candidate gene pool for sex differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luo Lei
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510380, PR China
| | - Chen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510380, PR China
| | - Junxian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510380, PR China
| | - Yakun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510380, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510380, PR China
| | - Haiyang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510380, PR China
| | - Lulu Geng
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214081, PR China
| | - Junyu Su
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510380, PR China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510380, PR China.
| | - Xinping Zhu
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510380, PR China.
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Kikuchi M, Tanaka M. Functional Modules in Gametogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:914570. [PMID: 35693939 PMCID: PMC9178102 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.914570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gametogenesis, the production of eggs and sperm, is a fundamental process in sexually reproducing animals. Following gametogenesis commitment and sexual fate decision, germ cells undergo several developmental processes to halve their genomic size and acquire sex-specific characteristics of gametes, including cellular size, motility, and cell polarity. However, it remains unclear how different gametogenesis processes are initially integrated. With the advantages of the teleost fish medaka (Oryzias latipes), in which germline stem cells continuously produce eggs and sperm in mature gonads and a sexual switch gene in germ cells is identified, we found that distinct pathways initiate gametogenesis cooperatively after commitment to gametogenesis. This evokes the concept of functional modules, in which functionally interlocked genes are grouped to yield distinct gamete characteristics. The various combinations of modules may allow us to explain the evolution of diverse reproductive systems, such as parthenogenesis and hermaphroditism.
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Brown MS, Evans BS, Afonso LOB. Developmental changes in gene expression and gonad morphology during sex differentiation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Gene 2022; 823:146393. [PMID: 35248662 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a globally important species for its value in fisheries and aquaculture, and as a research model. In order to characterise aspects of sex differentiation at the morphological and mRNA level in this species, the present study examined developmental changes in gonad morphology and gene expression in males and females between 0 and 79 days post hatch (dph). Morphological differentiation of the ovary (indicated by the formation of germ cell cysts) became apparent from 52 dph. By 79 dph, ovarian phenotype was evident in 100% of genotypic females. Testes remained in an undifferentiated-like state throughout the experiment, containing germ cells dispersed singularly within the gonadal region distal to the mesentery. There were no significant sex-related differences in gonad cross-section size, germ cell number or germ cell diameter during the experiment. The expression of genes involved in teleost sex differentiation (anti-müllerian hormone (amh), cytochrome P450, family 19, subfamily A, polypeptide 1a (cyp19a1a), forkhead box L2a (foxl2a), gonadal soma-derived factor (gsdf), r-spondin 1 (rspo1), sexually dimorphic on the Y chromosome (sdY)), retinoic acid-signalling (aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a2 (aldh1a2), cytochrome P450 family 26 a1 (cyp26a1), cytochrome P450 family 26 b1 (cyp26b1), t-box transcription factor 1 (tbx1a)) and neuroestrogen production (cytochrome P450, family 19, subfamily A, polypeptide 1b (cyp19a1b)) was investigated. Significant sex-related differences were observed only for the expression of amh, cyp19a1a, gsdf and sdY. In males, amh, gsdf and sdY were upregulated from 34, 59 and 44 dph respectively. In females, cyp19a1a was upregulated from 66 dph. Independent of sex, foxl2a expression was highest at 0 dph and had reduced ∼ 47-fold by the time of morphological sex differentiation at 52 dph. This study provides new insights into the timing and sequence of some physiological changes associated with sex differentiation in Atlantic salmon. These findings also reveal that some aspects of the mRNA sex differentiation pathways in Atlantic salmon are unique compared to other teleost fishes, including other salmonids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan S Brown
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University Warrnambool Campus, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280, Australia.
| | - Brad S Evans
- Tassal Operations, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia.
| | - Luis O B Afonso
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia.
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21
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Khan UW, Newmark PA. Somatic regulation of female germ cell regeneration and development in planarians. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110525. [PMID: 35294875 PMCID: PMC8994625 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Female germ cells develop into oocytes, with the capacity for totipotency. In most animals, these remarkable cells are specified during development and cannot be regenerated. By contrast, planarians, known for their regenerative prowess, can regenerate germ cells. To uncover mechanisms required for female germ cell development and regeneration, we generated gonad-specific transcriptomes and identified genes whose expression defines progressive stages of female germ cell development. Strikingly, early female germ cells share molecular signatures with the pluripotent stem cells driving planarian regeneration. We observe spatial heterogeneity within somatic ovarian cells and find that a regionally enriched foxL homolog is required for oocyte differentiation, but not specification, suggestive of functionally distinct somatic compartments. Unexpectedly, a neurotransmitter-biosynthetic enzyme, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), is also expressed in somatic gonadal cells, and plays opposing roles in female and male germ cell development. Thus, somatic gonadal cells deploy conserved factors to regulate germ cell development and regeneration in planarians. Unlike most animals, planarians can regenerate germ cells. Here, Khan and Newmark characterize gene expression in the planarian ovary, identifying genes expressed at progressive stages of female germ cell development and in somatic ovarian cells. Functional characterization revealed somatically expressed genes required for specification or differentiation of female germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umair W Khan
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Phillip A Newmark
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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22
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Effects of Sex Steroid Receptor Agonists and Antagonists on the Expression of the FOXL2 Transcription Factor and its Target Genes AMH and CYP19A1 in the Neonatal Porcine Ovary. ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/aoas-2021-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Recently, we have demonstrated that neonatal exposure to androgen and estrogen agonists or antagonists influenced the number of ovarian follicles in piglets. Since the FOXL2 transcription factor is required for proper ovarian follicle formation and activation, the objective of the study was to examine effects of exposure of the neonatal porcine ovary to testosterone propionate (TP; an androgen), flutamide (FLU; an antiandrogen), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP; compound with estrogenic activity), ICI 182,780 (ICI; an antiestrogen), and methoxychlor (MXC; compound with estrogenic, antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic properties) on FOXL2 expression and expression of its target genes, AMH and CYP19A1. Piglets were injected subcutaneously with TP, FLU, OP, ICI, MXC, or corn oil (control) between postnatal days 1 and 10 (n = 4/each group). Ovaries were excised from the 11-day-old piglets and the expression of FOXL2, AMH and CYP19A1 was examined using immunohistochemistry and/or real-time PCR and Western blot. FOXL2 was localized in stroma cells surrounding egg nests and in granulosa cells. TP, OP and MXC increased both FOXL2 and AMH mRNAs, while FLU and ICI decreased CYP19A1 mRNA. The increased FOXL2 protein abundance was found in all examined groups. In addition, TP, OP, ICI and MXC increased AMH protein abundance, while TP, FLU and OP decreased CYP19A1 protein abundance. In conclusion, neonatal exposure to sex steroid receptor agonists and antagonists increased FOXL2 expression at mRNA and/or protein levels and affected FOXL2 target genes in the ovaries of 11-day-old piglets. Therefore, it seems that impaired ovarian folliculogenesis induced by altered steroid milieu during the neonatal development period in pigs may, at least in part, involve FOXL2.
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23
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Bertho S, Herpin A, Jouanno E, Yano A, Bobe J, Parrinello H, Journot L, Guyomard R, Muller T, Swanson P, McKinney G, Williamson K, Meek M, Schartl M, Guiguen Y. A nonfunctional copy of the salmonid sex-determining gene ( sdY) is responsible for the “apparent” XY females in Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6493265. [PMID: 35100376 PMCID: PMC8824802 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Many salmonids have a male heterogametic (XX/XY) sex determination system, and they are supposed to have a conserved master sex-determining gene (sdY) that interacts at the protein level with Foxl2 leading to the blockage of the synergistic induction of Foxl2 and Nr5a1 of the cyp19a1a promoter. However, this hypothesis of a conserved master sex-determining role of sdY in salmonids is challenged by a few exceptions, one of them being the presence of naturally occurring “apparent” XY Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, females. Here, we show that some XY Chinook salmon females have a sdY gene (sdY-N183), with 1 missense mutation leading to a substitution of a conserved isoleucine to an asparagine (I183N). In contrast, Chinook salmon males have both a nonmutated sdY-I183 gene and the missense mutation sdY-N183 gene. The 3-dimensional model of SdY-I183N predicts that the I183N hydrophobic to hydrophilic amino acid change leads to a modification in the SdY β-sandwich structure. Using in vitro cell transfection assays, we found that SdY-I183N, like the wild-type SdY, is preferentially localized in the cytoplasm. However, compared to wild-type SdY, SdY-I183N is more prone to degradation, its nuclear translocation by Foxl2 is reduced, and SdY-I183N is unable to significantly repress the synergistic Foxl2/Nr5a1 induction of the cyp19a1a promoter. Altogether, our results suggest that the sdY-N183 gene of XY Chinook females is nonfunctional and that SdY-I183N is no longer able to promote testicular differentiation by impairing the synthesis of estrogens in the early differentiating gonads of wild Chinook salmon XY females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Bertho
- INRAE, LPGP, Rennes 35000, France
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97074, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Hugues Parrinello
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, IGF, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier 34094, France
| | - Laurent Journot
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, IGF, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier 34094, France
| | - René Guyomard
- GABI, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris 75005, France
| | - Thomas Muller
- Julius-von-Sachs-Institute, Department of Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97082, Germany
| | - Penny Swanson
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
| | - Garrett McKinney
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Olympia, WA 98501, USA
| | | | - Mariah Meek
- Dept. of Integrative Biology, AgBio Research, and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Manfred Schartl
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Wüerzburg, Wuerzburg 97074, Germany
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24
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Fan S, Li X, Lin S, Li Y, Ma H, Zhang Z, Qin Z. Screening and Identification of Transcription Factors Potentially Regulating Foxl2 Expression in Chlamys farreri Ovary. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11010113. [PMID: 35053111 PMCID: PMC8772818 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Foxl2 is an evolutionarily conserved female sex gene, which is specifically expressed in the ovary and mainly involved in oogenesis and ovarian function maintenance. However, little is known about the mechanism that regulates Foxl2 specific expression during the ovary development. In the present study, we constructed the gonadal yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) library of Chlamysfarreri with ovaries and testes at different developmental stages using the Gateway technology. The library capacity was more than 1.36 × 107 CFU, and the length of the inserted fragment was 0.75 Kb~2 Kb, which fully met the demand of yeast library screening. The highly transcriptional activity promoter sequence of C. farreri Foxl2 (Cf-Foxl2) was determined at -1000~-616 bp by dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assay and was used as bait to screen possible transcription factors from the Y1H library. Eleven candidate factors, including five unannotated factors, were selected based on Y1H as well as their expressional differences between ovaries and testes and were verified for the first time to be involved in the transcriptional regulation of Cf-Foxl2 by RT-qPCR and DLR. Our findings provided valuable data for further studying the specific regulation mechanism of Foxl2 in the ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shutong Fan
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
| | - Xixi Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
| | - Siyu Lin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
| | - Yunpeng Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
- Laboratory of Tropical Marine Germplasm Resources and Breeding Engineering, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Huixin Ma
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
| | - Zhifeng Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
- Laboratory of Tropical Marine Germplasm Resources and Breeding Engineering, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572000, China
- Correspondence: (Z.Z.); (Z.Q.)
| | - Zhenkui Qin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
- Correspondence: (Z.Z.); (Z.Q.)
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25
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Sharma P, Purohit S, Kothiyal S, Negi S, Bhattacharya I. Sex Specific Transcriptional Regulation of Gonadal Steroidogenesis in Teleost Fishes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:820241. [PMID: 35250877 PMCID: PMC8894591 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.820241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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26
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Aharon D, Marlow FL. Sexual determination in zebrafish. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:8. [PMID: 34936027 PMCID: PMC11072476 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04066-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish have emerged as a major model organism to study vertebrate reproduction due to their high fecundity and external development of eggs and embryos. The mechanisms through which zebrafish determine their sex have come under extensive investigation, as they lack a definite sex-determining chromosome and appear to have a highly complex method of sex determination. Single-gene mutagenesis has been employed to isolate the function of genes that determine zebrafish sex and regulate sex-specific differentiation, and to explore the interactions of genes that promote female or male sexual fate. In this review, we focus on recent advances in understanding of the mechanisms, including genetic and environmental factors, governing zebrafish sex development with comparisons to gene functions in other species to highlight conserved and potentially species-specific mechanisms for specifying and maintaining sexual fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devora Aharon
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy, Place Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA
| | - Florence L Marlow
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy, Place Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA.
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27
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Tucker EJ. The Genetics and Biology of FOXL2. Sex Dev 2021; 16:184-193. [PMID: 34727551 DOI: 10.1159/000519836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXL2 encodes a transcription factor that regulates a wide array of target genes including those involved in sex development, eyelid development, ovarian function and maintenance, genomic integrity as well as cellular pathways such as cell-cycle progression, proliferation, and apoptosis. The role of FOXL2 has been widely studied in humans and animals. Consistent with its role in ovarian and eyelid development, over 100 germline variants in FOXL2 are associated with blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome in humans, an autosomal dominant condition characterised by ovarian dysgenesis/premature ovarian insufficiency, as well as defective eyelid development. Reflecting its role in apoptosis and proliferation, a somatic variant in FOXL2 causes adult granulosa cell tumours in humans. Despite being widely studied and having clear relevance to human disease, much remains unknown about the genes FOXL2 regulates and how it exerts its wide-reaching effect on multiple organs. This review focuses on FOXL2 and its varied roles as a transcription factor in sex determination, ovarian maintenance and function, eyelid development, genome integrity, and cell regulation, followed by discussion of the in vivo disruption of FOXL2 in humans and other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena J Tucker
- Reproductive Development, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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28
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Adolfi MC, Herpin A, Schartl M. The replaceable master of sex determination: bottom-up hypothesis revisited. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200090. [PMID: 34247496 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Different group of vertebrates and invertebrates demonstrate an amazing diversity of gene regulations not only at the top but also at the bottom of the sex determination genetic network. As early as 1995, based on emerging findings in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, Wilkins suggested that the evolution of the sex determination pathway evolved from the bottom to the top of the hierarchy. Based on our current knowledge, this review revisits the 'bottom-up' hypothesis and applies its logic to vertebrates. The basic operation of the determination network is through the dynamics of the opposing male and female pathways together with a persistent need to maintain the sexual identity of the cells of the gonad up to the reproductive stage in adults. The sex-determining trigger circumstantially acts from outside the genetic network, but the regulatory network is not built around it as a main node, thus maintaining the genetic structure of the network. New sex-promoting genes arise either through allelic diversification or gene duplication and act specially at the sex-determination period, without integration into the complete network. Due to this peripheral position the new regulator is not an indispensable component of the sex-determining network and can be easily replaced. This article is part of the theme issue 'Challenging the paradigm in sex chromosome evolution: empirical and theoretical insights with a focus on vertebrates (Part I)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Contar Adolfi
- Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Amaury Herpin
- INRA, UR 1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, 35000 Rennes, France.,State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Manfred Schartl
- Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany.,Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
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29
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Bertho S, Herpin A, Schartl M, Guiguen Y. Lessons from an unusual vertebrate sex-determining gene. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200092. [PMID: 34247499 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
So far, very few sex-determining genes have been identified in vertebrates and most of them, the so-called 'usual suspects', evolved from genes which fulfil essential functions during sexual development and are thus already tightly linked to the process that they now govern. The single exception to this 'usual suspects' rule in vertebrates so far is the conserved salmonid sex-determining gene, sdY (sexually dimorphic on the Y chromosome), that evolved from a gene known to be involved in regulation of the immune response. It is contained in a jumping sex locus that has been transposed or translocated into different ancestral autosomes during the evolution of salmonids. This special feature of sdY, i.e. being inserted in a 'jumping sex locus', could explain how salmonid sex chromosomes remain young and undifferentiated to escape degeneration. Recent knowledge on the mechanism of action of sdY demonstrates that it triggers its sex-determining action by deregulating oestrogen synthesis that is a conserved and crucial pathway for ovarian differentiation in vertebrates. This result suggests that sdY has evolved to cope with a pre-existing sex differentiation regulatory network. Therefore, 'limited options' for the emergence of new master sex-determining genes could be more constrained by their need to tightly interact with a conserved sex differentiation regulatory network rather than by being themselves 'usual suspects', already inside this sex regulatory network. This article is part of the theme issue 'Challenging the paradigm in sex chromosome evolution: empirical and theoretical insights with a focus on vertebrates (Part I)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Bertho
- INRAE, LPGP, 35000 Rennes, France.,Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Amaury Herpin
- INRAE, LPGP, 35000 Rennes, France.,State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081 Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Manfred Schartl
- Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
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30
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Gan RH, Wang Y, Li Z, Yu ZX, Li XY, Tong JF, Wang ZW, Zhang XJ, Zhou L, Gui JF. Functional Divergence of Multiple Duplicated Foxl2 Homeologs and Alleles in a Recurrent Polyploid Fish. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:1995-2013. [PMID: 33432361 PMCID: PMC8097289 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary fates of duplicated genes have been widely investigated in many polyploid plants and animals, but research is scarce in recurrent polyploids. In this study, we focused on foxl2, a central player in ovary, and elaborated the functional divergence in gibel carp (Carassius gibelio), a recurrent auto-allo-hexaploid fish. First, we identified three divergent foxl2 homeologs (Cgfoxl2a-B, Cgfoxl2b-A, and Cgfoxl2b-B), each of them possessing three highly conserved alleles and revealed their biased retention/loss. Then, their abundant sexual dimorphism and biased expression were uncovered in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Significantly, granulosa cells and three subpopulations of thecal cells were distinguished by cellular localization of CgFoxl2a and CgFoxl2b, and the functional roles and the involved process were traced in folliculogenesis. Finally, we successfully edited multiple foxl2 homeologs and/or alleles by using CRISPR/Cas9. Cgfoxl2a-B deficiency led to ovary development arrest or complete sex reversal, whereas complete disruption of Cgfoxl2b-A and Cgfoxl2b-B resulted in the depletion of germ cells. Taken together, the detailed cellular localization and functional differences indicate that Cgfoxl2a and Cgfoxl2b have subfunctionalized and cooperated to regulate folliculogenesis and gonad differentiation, and Cgfoxl2b has evolved a new function in oogenesis. Therefore, the current study provides a typical case of homeolog/allele diversification, retention/loss, biased expression, and sub-/neofunctionalization in the evolution of duplicated genes driven by polyploidy and subsequent diploidization from the recurrent polyploid fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Hai Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao-Xi Yu
- Ningxia Fisheries Research Institute, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xi-Yin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Feng Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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31
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Dai S, Qi S, Wei X, Liu X, Li Y, Zhou X, Xiao H, Lu B, Wang D, Li M. Germline sexual fate is determined by the antagonistic action of dmrt1 and foxl3/foxl2 in tilapia. Development 2021; 148:dev.199380. [PMID: 33741713 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Germline sexual fate has long been believed to be determined by the somatic environment, but this idea is challenged by recent studies of foxl3 mutants in medaka. Here, we demonstrate that the sexual fate of tilapia germline is determined by the antagonistic interaction of dmrt1 and foxl3, which are transcriptionally repressed in male and female germ cells, respectively. Loss of dmrt1 rescued the germ cell sex reversal in foxl3Δ7/Δ7 XX fish, and loss of foxl3 partially rescued germ cell sex reversal but not somatic cell fate in dmrt1Δ5/Δ5 XY fish. Interestingly, germ cells lost sexual plasticity in dmrt1Δ5/Δ5 XY and foxl3Δ7/Δ7 XX single mutants, as aromatase inhibitor (AI) and estrogen treatment failed to rescue the respective phenotypes. However, recovery of germ cell sexual plasticity was observed in dmrt1/foxl3 double mutants. Importantly, mutation of somatic cell-specific foxl2 resulted in testicular development in foxl3Δ7/Δ7 or dmrt1Δ5/Δ5 mutants. Our findings demonstrate that sexual plasticity of germ cells relies on the presence of both dmrt1 and foxl3. The existence of dmrt1 and foxl3 allows environmental factors to influence the sex fate decision in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengfei Dai
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Shuangshuang Qi
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xueyan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xingyong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yibing Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hesheng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Baoyue Lu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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32
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Imarazene B, Beille S, Jouanno E, Branthonne A, Thermes V, Thomas M, Herpin A, Rétaux S, Guiguen Y. Primordial Germ Cell Migration and Histological and Molecular Characterization of Gonadal Differentiation in Pachón Cavefish Astyanax mexicanus. Sex Dev 2021; 14:80-98. [PMID: 33691331 DOI: 10.1159/000513378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic regulatory network governing vertebrate gonadal differentiation appears less conserved than previously thought. Here, we investigated the gonadal development of Astyanax mexicanus Pachón cavefish by looking at primordial germ cells (PGCs) migration and proliferation, gonad histology, and gene expression patterns. We showed that PGCs are first detected at the 80% epiboly stage and then reach the gonadal primordium at 1 day post-fertilization (dpf). However, in contrast to the generally described absence of PGCs proliferation during their migration phase, PGCs number in cavefish doubles between early neurula and 8-9 somites stages. Combining both gonadal histology and vasa (germ cell marker) expression patterns, we observed that ovarian and testicular differentiation occurs around 65 dpf in females and 90 dpf in males, respectively, with an important inter-individual variability. The expression patterns of dmrt1, gsdf, and amh revealed a conserved predominant male expression during cavefish gonadal development, but none of the ovarian differentiation genes, i. e., foxl2a, cyp19a1a, and wnt4b displayed an early sexually dimorphic expression, and surprisingly all these genes exhibited predominant expression in adult testes. Altogether, our results lay the foundation for further research on sex determination and differentiation in A. mexicanus and contribute to the emerging picture that the vertebrate sex differentiation downstream regulatory network is less conserved than previously thought, at least in teleost fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boudjema Imarazene
- INRAE, Laboratoire de Physiologie et Génomique des poissons, Rennes, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Séverine Beille
- INRAE, Laboratoire de Physiologie et Génomique des poissons, Rennes, France
| | - Elodie Jouanno
- INRAE, Laboratoire de Physiologie et Génomique des poissons, Rennes, France
| | - Adéle Branthonne
- INRAE, Laboratoire de Physiologie et Génomique des poissons, Rennes, France
| | - Violette Thermes
- INRAE, Laboratoire de Physiologie et Génomique des poissons, Rennes, France
| | - Manon Thomas
- INRAE, Laboratoire de Physiologie et Génomique des poissons, Rennes, France
| | - Amaury Herpin
- INRAE, Laboratoire de Physiologie et Génomique des poissons, Rennes, France
| | - Sylvie Rétaux
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Yann Guiguen
- INRAE, Laboratoire de Physiologie et Génomique des poissons, Rennes, France,
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33
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Wang YY, Duan SH, Wang GL, Li JL. Integrated mRNA and miRNA expression profile analysis of female and male gonads in Hyriopsis cumingii. Sci Rep 2021; 11:665. [PMID: 33436779 PMCID: PMC7804246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80264-7] [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] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyriopsis cumingii is an important species for freshwater pearl cultivation in China. In terms of pearl production, males have larger pearls and better glossiness than females, but there are few reports focusing on the sex of H. cumingii. In this study, six mRNA and six microRNA (miRNA) libraries were prepared from ovaries and testes. Additionally, 28,502 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 32 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified. Compared with testis, 14,360 mRNAs and 20 miRNAs were up-regulated in ovary, 14,142 mRNAs and 12 miRNAs were down-regulated. In DEGs, the known genes related to sex determinism and/or differentiation were also identified, such as DMRT1, SOX9, SF1 for males, FOXL2 for females, and other potentially significant candidate genes. Three sex-related pathways have also been identified, which are Wnt, Notch, and TGF-beta. In 32 DEMs, the three miRNAs (miR-9-5p, miR-92, miR-184) were paid more attention, they predicted 28 target genes, which may also be candidates for sex-related miRNAs and genes. Differential miRNAs target genes analysis reveals the pathway associated with oocyte meiosis and spermatogenesis. Overall, the findings of the study provide significant insights to enhance our understanding of sex differentiation and/or sex determination mechanisms for H. cumingii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Yu Wang
- grid.412514.70000 0000 9833 2433Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai, 201306 China ,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai, 201306 China ,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai, 201306 China
| | - Sheng-Hua Duan
- grid.412514.70000 0000 9833 2433Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai, 201306 China ,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai, 201306 China ,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai, 201306 China
| | - Gui-Ling Wang
- grid.412514.70000 0000 9833 2433Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai, 201306 China ,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai, 201306 China ,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai, 201306 China
| | - Jia-Le Li
- grid.412514.70000 0000 9833 2433Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai, 201306 China ,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai, 201306 China ,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai, 201306 China
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34
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Estermann MA, Major AT, Smith CA. Gonadal Sex Differentiation: Supporting Versus Steroidogenic Cell Lineage Specification in Mammals and Birds. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:616387. [PMID: 33392204 PMCID: PMC7775416 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.616387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The gonads of vertebrate embryos are unique among organs because they have a developmental choice; ovary or testis formation. Given the importance of proper gonad formation for sexual development and reproduction, considerable research has been conducted over the years to elucidate the genetic and cellular mechanisms of gonad formation and sexual differentiation. While the molecular trigger for gonadal sex differentiation into ovary of testis can vary among vertebrates, from egg temperature to sex-chromosome linked master genes, the downstream molecular pathways are largely conserved. The cell biology of gonadal formation and differentiation has long thought to also be conserved. However, recent discoveries point to divergent mechanisms of gonad formation, at least among birds and mammals. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of cell lineage allocation during gonadal sex differentiation in the mouse model, focusing on the key supporting and steroidogenic cells and drawing on recent insights provided by single cell RNA-sequencing. We compare this data with emerging information in the chicken model. We highlight surprising differences in cell lineage specification between species and identify gaps in our current understanding of the cell biology underlying gonadogenesis.
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35
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Nagahama Y, Chakraborty T, Paul-Prasanth B, Ohta K, Nakamura M. Sex determination, gonadal sex differentiation, and plasticity in vertebrate species. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:1237-1308. [PMID: 33180655 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00044.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A diverse array of sex determination (SD) mechanisms, encompassing environmental to genetic, have been found to exist among vertebrates, covering a spectrum from fixed SD mechanisms (mammals) to functional sex change in fishes (sequential hermaphroditic fishes). A major landmark in vertebrate SD was the discovery of the SRY gene in 1990. Since that time, many attempts to clone an SRY ortholog from nonmammalian vertebrates remained unsuccessful, until 2002, when DMY/dmrt1by was discovered as the SD gene of a small fish, medaka. Surprisingly, however, DMY/dmrt1by was found in only 2 species among more than 20 species of medaka, suggesting a large diversity of SD genes among vertebrates. Considerable progress has been made over the last 3 decades, such that it is now possible to formulate reasonable paradigms of how SD and gonadal sex differentiation may work in some model vertebrate species. This review outlines our current understanding of vertebrate SD and gonadal sex differentiation, with a focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. An impressive number of genes and factors have been discovered that play important roles in testicular and ovarian differentiation. An antagonism between the male and female pathway genes exists in gonads during both sex differentiation and, surprisingly, even as adults, suggesting that, in addition to sex-changing fishes, gonochoristic vertebrates including mice maintain some degree of gonadal sexual plasticity into adulthood. Importantly, a review of various SD mechanisms among vertebrates suggests that this is the ideal biological event that can make us understand the evolutionary conundrums underlying speciation and species diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Nagahama
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Japan.,Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tapas Chakraborty
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Japan.,Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukouka, Japan.,Karatsu Satellite of Aqua-Bioresource Innovation Center, Kyushu University, Karatsu, Japan
| | - Bindhu Paul-Prasanth
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Kohei Ohta
- Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukouka, Japan
| | - Masaru Nakamura
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.,Research Center, Okinawa Churashima Foundation, Okinawa, Japan
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36
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Genetic determinism of spontaneous masculinisation in XX female rainbow trout: new insights using medium throughput genotyping and whole-genome sequencing. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17693. [PMID: 33077766 PMCID: PMC7573577 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74757-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rainbow trout has a male heterogametic (XY) sex determination system controlled by a major sex-determining gene, sdY. Unexpectedly, a few phenotypically masculinised fish are regularly observed in all-female farmed trout stocks. To better understand the genetic determinism underlying spontaneous maleness in XX-rainbow trout, we recorded the phenotypic sex of 20,210 XX-rainbow trout from a French farm population at 10 and 15 months post-hatching. The overall masculinisation rate was 1.45%. We performed two genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on a subsample of 1139 individuals classified as females, intersex or males using either medium-throughput genotyping (31,811 SNPs) or whole-genome sequencing (WGS, 8.7 million SNPs). The genomic heritability of maleness ranged between 0.48 and 0.62 depending on the method and the number of SNPs used for the estimation. At the 31K SNPs level, we detected four QTL on three chromosomes (Omy1, Omy12 and Omy20). Using WGS information, we narrowed down the positions of the two QTL detected on Omy1 to 96 kb and 347 kb respectively, with the second QTL explaining up to 14% of the total genetic variance of maleness. Within this QTL, we detected three putative candidate genes, fgfa8, cyp17a1 and an uncharacterised protein (LOC110527930), which might be involved in spontaneous maleness of XX-female rainbow trout.
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37
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Roly ZY, Godini R, Estermann MA, Major AT, Pocock R, Smith CA. Transcriptional landscape of the embryonic chicken Müllerian duct. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:688. [PMID: 33008304 PMCID: PMC7532620 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07106-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Müllerian ducts are paired embryonic tubes that give rise to the female reproductive tract in vertebrates. Many disorders of female reproduction can be attributed to anomalies of Müllerian duct development. However, the molecular genetics of Müllerian duct formation is poorly understood and most disorders of duct development have unknown etiology. In this study, we describe for the first time the transcriptional landscape of the embryonic Müllerian duct, using the chicken embryo as a model system. RNA sequencing was conducted at 1 day intervals during duct formation to identify developmentally-regulated genes, validated by in situ hybridization. Results This analysis detected hundreds of genes specifically up-regulated during duct morphogenesis. Gene ontology and pathway analysis revealed enrichment for developmental pathways associated with cell adhesion, cell migration and proliferation, ERK and WNT signaling, and, interestingly, axonal guidance. The latter included factors linked to neuronal cell migration or axonal outgrowth, such as Ephrin B2, netrin receptor, SLIT1 and class A semaphorins. A number of transcriptional modules were identified that centred around key hub genes specifying matrix-associated signaling factors; SPOCK1, HTRA3 and ADGRD1. Several novel regulators of the WNT and TFG-β signaling pathway were identified in Müllerian ducts, including APCDD1 and DKK1, BMP3 and TGFBI. A number of novel transcription factors were also identified, including OSR1, FOXE1, PRICKLE1, TSHZ3 and SMARCA2. In addition, over 100 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were expressed during duct formation. Conclusions This study provides a rich resource of new candidate genes for Müllerian duct development and its disorders. It also sheds light on the molecular pathways engaged during tubulogenesis, a fundamental process in embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahida Yesmin Roly
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Rasoul Godini
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Martin A Estermann
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Andrew T Major
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Roger Pocock
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Craig A Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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38
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Nicol B, Rodriguez K, Yao HHC. Aberrant and constitutive expression of FOXL2 impairs ovarian development and functions in mice. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:966-977. [PMID: 32945847 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Development and functions of the ovary rely on appropriate signaling and communication between various ovarian cell types. FOXL2, a transcription factor that plays a key role at different stages of ovarian development, is associated with primary ovarian insufficiency and ovarian cancer as a result of its loss-of-function or mutations. In this study, we investigated the impact of aberrant, constitutive expression of FOXL2 in somatic cells of the ovary. Overexpression of FOXL2 that started during fetal life resulted in defects in nest breakdown and consequent formation of polyovular follicles. Granulosa cell differentiation was impaired and recruitment and differentiation of steroidogenic theca cells was compromised. As a consequence, adult ovaries overexpressing FOXL2 exhibited defects in compartmentalization of granulosa and theca cells, significant decreased steroidogenesis and lack of ovulation. These findings demonstrate that fine-tuned expression of FOXL2 is required for proper folliculogenesis and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Nicol
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Karina Rodriguez
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Humphrey H-C Yao
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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39
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Li S, Lin G, Fang W, Huang P, Gao D, Huang J, Xie J, Lu J. Gonadal Transcriptome Analysis of Sex-Related Genes in the Protandrous Yellowfin Seabream ( Acanthopagrus latus). Front Genet 2020; 11:709. [PMID: 32765585 PMCID: PMC7378800 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus), a protandrous hermaphroditic fish, is a good model for studying the mechanism of sex reversal. However, limited knowledge is known about the genetic information related to reproduction and sex differentiation in this species. Here, we performed de novo transcriptome sequencing analysis of the testis, ovotestis, and ovary to identify sex-related genes in yellowfin seabream. The results assembled 71,765 unigenes in which 16,126 and 17,560 unigenes were differentially expressed in the ovotestis and ovary compared to the testis, respectively. The most differentially expressed gene (DEG)-enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and GO pathways were closely associated with the synthesis of sex steroid hormones. Functional analyses identified 55 important sex-related DEGs, including 32 testis-biased DEGs (dmrt1, amh, and sox9, etc.), 20 ovary-biased DEGs (cyp19a, foxl2, and wnt4, etc.), and 3 ovotestis-biased DEGs (lhb, dmrt2, and foxh1). Furthermore, the testis-specific expression of dmrt1 and the brain-pituitary-ovary axis expression of foxl2 were characterized, suggesting that they might play important roles in sex differentiation in yellowfin seabream. Our present work provided an important molecular basis for elucidating the mechanisms underlying sexual transition and reproductional regulation in yellowfin seabream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhu Li
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Genmei Lin
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Wenyu Fang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Peilin Huang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Dong Gao
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jing Huang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jingui Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jianguo Lu
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, China
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40
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Weis-Banke SE, Lerdrup M, Kleine-Kohlbrecher D, Mohammad F, Sidoli S, Jensen ON, Yanase T, Nakamura T, Iwase A, Stylianou A, Abu-Rustum NR, Aghajanian C, Soslow R, Da Cruz Paula A, Koche RP, Weigelt B, Christensen J, Helin K, Cloos PAC. Mutant FOXL2 C134W Hijacks SMAD4 and SMAD2/3 to Drive Adult Granulosa Cell Tumors. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3466-3479. [PMID: 32641411 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The mutant protein FOXL2C134W is expressed in at least 95% of adult-type ovarian granulosa cell tumors (AGCT) and is considered to be a driver of oncogenesis in this disease. However, the molecular mechanism by which FOXL2C134W contributes to tumorigenesis is not known. Here, we show that mutant FOXL2C134W acquires the ability to bind SMAD4, forming a FOXL2C134W/SMAD4/SMAD2/3 complex that binds a novel hybrid DNA motif AGHCAHAA, unique to the FOXL2C134W mutant. This binding induced an enhancer-like chromatin state, leading to transcription of nearby genes, many of which are characteristic of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. FOXL2C134W also bound hybrid loci in primary AGCT. Ablation of SMAD4 or SMAD2/3 resulted in strong reduction of FOXL2C134W binding at hybrid sites and decreased expression of associated genes. Accordingly, inhibition of TGFβ mitigated the transcriptional effect of FOXL2C134W. Our results provide mechanistic insight into AGCT pathogenesis, identifying FOXL2C134W and its interaction with SMAD4 as potential therapeutic targets to this condition. SIGNIFICANCE: FOXL2C134W hijacks SMAD4 and leads to the expression of genes involved in EMT, stemness, and oncogenesis in AGCT, making FOXL2C134W and the TGFβ pathway therapeutic targets in this condition. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/80/17/3466/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine E Weis-Banke
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Research (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Mads Lerdrup
- Center for Chromosome Stability, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Daniela Kleine-Kohlbrecher
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Research (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Faizaan Mohammad
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Research (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, VILLUM Centre for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Ole N Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, VILLUM Centre for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Toshihiko Yanase
- Seiwakai Muta Hospital, 3-9-1 Hoshikuma, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoko Nakamura
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akira Iwase
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Anthe Stylianou
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nadeem R Abu-Rustum
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Carol Aghajanian
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Robert Soslow
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Arnaud Da Cruz Paula
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Richard P Koche
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Britta Weigelt
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Jesper Christensen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Research (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kristian Helin
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. .,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Research (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,Cell Biology Program and Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Paul A C Cloos
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. .,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Research (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
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41
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Zhuang QKW, Galvez JH, Xiao Q, AlOgayil N, Hyacinthe J, Taketo T, Bourque G, Naumova AK. Sex Chromosomes and Sex Phenotype Contribute to Biased DNA Methylation in Mouse Liver. Cells 2020; 9:E1436. [PMID: 32527045 PMCID: PMC7349295 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex biases in the genome-wide distribution of DNA methylation and gene expression levels are some of the manifestations of sexual dimorphism in mammals. To advance our understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to sex biases in DNA methylation and gene expression, we conducted whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) as well as RNA-seq on liver samples from mice with different combinations of sex phenotype and sex-chromosome complement. We compared groups of animals with different sex phenotypes, but the same genetic sexes, and vice versa, same sex phenotypes, but different sex-chromosome complements. We also compared sex-biased DNA methylation in mouse and human livers. Our data show that sex phenotype, X-chromosome dosage, and the presence of Y chromosome shape the differences in DNA methylation between males and females. We also demonstrate that sex bias in autosomal methylation is associated with sex bias in gene expression, whereas X-chromosome dosage-dependent methylation differences are not, as expected for a dosage-compensation mechanism. Furthermore, we find partial conservation between the repertoires of mouse and human genes that are associated with sex-biased methylation, an indication that gene function is likely to be an important factor in this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinwei Kim-Wee Zhuang
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 1C7, Canada; (Q.K.-W.Z.); (N.A.)
| | - Jose Hector Galvez
- Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics, Montréal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada;
| | - Qian Xiao
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Najla AlOgayil
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 1C7, Canada; (Q.K.-W.Z.); (N.A.)
| | - Jeffrey Hyacinthe
- Department of Quantitative Life Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada;
| | - Teruko Taketo
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada;
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Guillaume Bourque
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 1C7, Canada; (Q.K.-W.Z.); (N.A.)
- Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics, Montréal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada;
| | - Anna K. Naumova
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 1C7, Canada; (Q.K.-W.Z.); (N.A.)
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
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42
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He W, Kang Y, Zhu W, Zhou B, Jiang X, Ren C, Guo W. FOXF2 acts as a crucial molecule in tumours and embryonic development. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:424. [PMID: 32503970 PMCID: PMC7275069 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2604-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
As a key member of the forkhead box transcription factors, forkhead box F2 (FOXF2) serves as a transcriptional regulator and regulates downstream gene expression in embryonic development, metabolism and in some common diseases, such as stroke and gastroparesis. Recent studies have shown that aberrant expression of FOXF2 is associated with a variety of tumorigenic processes, such as proliferation, invasion and metastasis. The role of FOXF2 in the development of many different organs has been confirmed by studies and has been speculated about in case reports. We focus on the mechanisms and signal pathways of tumour development initiated by aberrant expression of FOXF2, and we summarize the diseases and signal pathways caused by aberrant expression of FOXF2 in embryogenesis. This article highlights the differences in the role of FOXF2 in different tumours and demonstrates that multiple factors can regulate FOXF2 levels. In addition, FOXF2 is considered a biomarker for the diagnosis or prognosis of various tumours. Therefore, regulating the level of FOXF2 is an ideal treatment for tumours. FOXF2 could also affect the expression of some organ-specific genes to modulate organogenesis and could serve as a biomarker for specific differentiated cells. Finally, we present prospects for the continued research focus of FOXF2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihan He
- Cancer Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, China.,Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Yuanbo Kang
- Cancer Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, China.,Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Cancer Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, China.,Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bolun Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, China.,Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xingjun Jiang
- Cancer Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, China.,Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Caiping Ren
- Cancer Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, China. .,Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,The NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
| | - Weihua Guo
- Cancer Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, China. .,Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,The NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
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43
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The transcriptome of the newt Cynops orientalis provides new insights into evolution and function of sexual gene networks in sarcopterygians. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5445. [PMID: 32214214 PMCID: PMC7096497 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62408-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibians evolved in the Devonian period about 400 Mya and represent a transition step in tetrapod evolution. Among amphibians, high-throughput sequencing data are very limited for Caudata, due to their largest genome sizes among terrestrial vertebrates. In this paper we present the transcriptome from the fire bellied newt Cynops orientalis. Data here presented display a high level of completeness, comparable to the fully sequenced genomes available from other amphibians. Moreover, this work focused on genes involved in gametogenesis and sexual development. Surprisingly, the gsdf gene was identified for the first time in a tetrapod species, so far known only from bony fish and basal sarcopterygians. Our analysis failed to isolate fgf24 and foxl3, supporting the possible loss of both genes in the common ancestor of Rhipidistians. In Cynops, the expression analysis of genes described to be sex-related in vertebrates singled out an expected functional role for some genes, while others displayed an unforeseen behavior, confirming the high variability of the sex-related pathway in vertebrates.
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Mendoza‐Cruz E, Moreno‐Mendoza N, Zambrano‐González L, Porras‐Gómez TJ, Villagrán‐SantaCruz M. Dimorphic protein expression for
Sox9
and
Foxl2
genes in the testicles and ovaries of the urodele amphibian:
Ambystoma mexicanum. ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Mendoza‐Cruz
- Laboratorio de Biología Tisular y Reproductora Departamento de Biología Comparada Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
| | - Norma Moreno‐Mendoza
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
| | - Luis Zambrano‐González
- Laboratorio de Restauración Ecológica Instituto de Biología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
| | - Tania Janeth Porras‐Gómez
- Laboratorio de Biología Tisular y Reproductora Departamento de Biología Comparada Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
| | - Maricela Villagrán‐SantaCruz
- Laboratorio de Biología Tisular y Reproductora Departamento de Biología Comparada Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
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45
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Xu C, Dai Y, Mohsin A, Hang H, Zhuang Y, Guo M. Mapping molecular pathways for embryonic Sertoli cells derivation based on differentiation model of mouse embryonic stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:85. [PMID: 32102677 PMCID: PMC7045406 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01600-2] [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: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Embryonic Sertoli cells (eSCs) have been known for playing important roles in male reproductive development system. In current studies, eSCs were mainly generated from induced intermediate mesoderm. The deriving mechanism of eSCs has been unclear so far. Therefore, this work was aimed to reveal the molecular pathways during derivation of eSCs. Methods In this scenario, a differentiation model from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to eSCs was established through spatiotemporal control of 5 key factors, Wilms tumor 1 homolog (Wt1), GATA binding protein 4 (Gata4), nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 1 (Nr5a1, i.e., Sf1), SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 9 (Sox9), doublesex, and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (Dmrt1). To investigate the molecular mechanism, these key factors were respectively manipulated through a light-switchable (light-on) system, tetracycline-switchable (Tet-on) system, and CRISPR/Cas9 knock out (KO) system. Results Via the established approach, some embryonic Sertoli-like cells (eSLCs) were induced from mESCs and formed ring-like or tubular-like structures. The key factors were respectively manipulated and revealed their roles in the derivation of these eSLCs. Based on these results, some molecular pathways were mapped during the development of coelomic epithelial somatic cells to eSCs. Conclusions This differentiation model provided a high controllability of some key factors and brought a novel insight into the deriving mechanism of Sertoli cells. Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s13287-020-01600-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenze Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Yichen Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Ali Mohsin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Haifeng Hang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China.,Engineering Research Centre of Processes System, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd., Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yingping Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China.,Engineering Research Centre of Processes System, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd., Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Meijin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China. .,Engineering Research Centre of Processes System, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd., Shanghai, 200237, China. .,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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46
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Cervantes-Camacho I, Guerrero-Estévez SM, López MF, Alarcón-Hernández E, López-López E. Effects of Bisphenol A on Foxl2 gene expression and DNA damage in adult viviparous fish Goodeaatripinnis. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2020; 83:95-112. [PMID: 32075523 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2020.1730282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an emerging pollutant of global concern. Viviparous fish Goodea atripinnis is endemic to the Central Mexican Plateau where BPA was detected; however, few studies examined the influence of this chemical on native viviparous fish. The effects of BPA (sublethal dose) were determined on DNA integrity and Foxl2 expression in G. atripinnis gonads, and interactions of BPA with FOXL2 protein. Genotoxicity analysis revealed that % comets, at 14 and 28 days and comet tail length (at 14 days) were significantly higher in exposed compared to controls. In general, the % DNA tail was not markedly higher in BPA-treated fish; however, tail moment related to tail length exhibited significant increases in DNA damage. RT-qPCR assays showed Foxl2 overexpression after 14 and 28 days of exposure in females; while in males, Foxl2 was overexpressed after 28 days. In silico analysis demonstrated that BPA interacted with seven residues located in FOXL2 homeodomain. In summary, sublethal BPA doses induced DNA damage and changes in Foxl2 expression in gonadal cells of G. atripinnis, which may adversely affect reproduction in BPA-exposed wild populations. Foxl2 overexpression and BPA-FOXL2 interaction suggested alterations in processes involving Foxl2. Viviparous fish may thus serve as potential non-conventional models for assessing pollutants effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Cervantes-Camacho
- Laboratorio De Evaluación De La Salud De Los Ecosistemas Acuáticos, Escuela Nacional De Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Prolongación Carpio Y Plan De Ayala S/N Col. Sto. Tomás, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Sandra M Guerrero-Estévez
- Laboratorio De Evaluación De La Salud De Los Ecosistemas Acuáticos, Escuela Nacional De Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Prolongación Carpio Y Plan De Ayala S/N Col. Sto. Tomás, Ciudad de México, México
| | - María Fernanda López
- Laboratorio De Variación Biológica Y Evolución, Escuela Nacional De Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Prolongación Carpio Y Plan De Ayala S/N Col. Sto. Tomás, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ernesto Alarcón-Hernández
- Laboratorio De Genética Molecular, Escuela Nacional De Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Prolongación Carpio Y Plan De Ayala S/N Col. Sto. Tomás, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Eugenia López-López
- Laboratorio De Evaluación De La Salud De Los Ecosistemas Acuáticos, Escuela Nacional De Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Prolongación Carpio Y Plan De Ayala S/N Col. Sto. Tomás, Ciudad de México, México
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47
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Celino-Brady FT, Lerner DT, Seale AP. Experimental Approaches for Characterizing the Endocrine-Disrupting Effects of Environmental Chemicals in Fish. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:619361. [PMID: 33716955 PMCID: PMC7947849 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.619361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing industrial and agricultural activities have led to a disturbing increase of pollutant discharges into the environment. Most of these pollutants can induce short-term, sustained or delayed impacts on developmental, physiological, and behavioral processes that are often regulated by the endocrine system in vertebrates, including fish, thus they are termed endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Physiological impacts resulting from the exposure of these vertebrates to EDCs include abnormalities in growth and reproductive development, as many of the prevalent chemicals are capable of binding the receptors to sex steroid hormones. The approaches employed to investigate the action and impact of EDCs is largely dependent on the specific life history and habitat of each species, and the type of chemical that organisms are exposed to. Aquatic vertebrates, such as fish, are among the first organisms to be affected by waterborne EDCs, an attribute that has justified their wide-spread use as sentinel species. Many fish species are exposed to these chemicals in the wild, for either short or prolonged periods as larvae, adults, or both, thus, studies are typically designed to focus on either acute or chronic exposure at distinct developmental stages. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the approaches and experimental methods commonly used to characterize the effects of some of the environmentally prevalent and emerging EDCs, including 17 α-ethinylestradiol, nonylphenol, BPA, phthalates, and arsenic; and the pervasive and potential carriers of EDCs, microplastics, on reproduction and growth. In vivo and in vitro studies are designed and employed to elucidate the direct effects of EDCs at the organismal and cellular levels, respectively. In silico approaches, on the other hand, comprise computational methods that have been more recently applied with the potential to replace extensive in vitro screening of EDCs. These approaches are discussed in light of model species, age and duration of EDC exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fritzie T. Celino-Brady
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Darren T. Lerner
- University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Andre P. Seale
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- *Correspondence: Andre P. Seale,
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48
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Castro JP, Hattori RS, Yoshinaga TT, Silva DMZDA, Ruiz-Ruano FJ, Foresti F, Santos MH, de Almeida MC, Moreira-Filho O, Artoni RF. Differential Expression of Genes Related to Sexual Determination Can Modify the Reproductive Cycle of Astyanax scabripinnis (Characiformes: Characidae) in B Chromosome Carrier Individuals. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E909. [PMID: 31717315 PMCID: PMC6896079 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The species complex Astyanax scabripinnis is one of the most studied with respect to origin, distribution, and frequency of B chromosomes, and is considered a model organism for evolutionary studies. Research using population inferences about the occurrence and frequency of the B chromosome shows seasonal variation between sexes, which is associated with the presence of this supernumerary element. We hypothesized that the B chromosome could influence the sex ratio of these animals. Based on this assumption, the present work aimed to investigate if differences exist among levels of gene expression with qRT-PCR of the amh (associated with testicular differentiation) and foxl2a (associated with ovarian differentiation) genes between B-carrier and non-B-carrier individuals. The results showed that for the amh gene, the difference in expression between animals with B chromosomes was not accentuated compared to that in animals without this chromosome. Expression of foxl2a in B-carrier females, however, was reduced by 73.56% compared to females that lacked the B chromosome. Males had no difference in expression of the amh and foxl2a genes between carriers and non-carriers of the B chromosome. Results indicate that the presence of B chromosomes is correlated with the differential expression of sex-associated genes. An analysis of these results integrated with data from other studies on the reproductive cycle in the same species reveals that this difference in expression may be expanding the reproductive cycle of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Pena Castro
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Evolutiva e Genética Molecular, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, Monjolinho, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil; (O.M.-F.); (R.F.A.)
| | - Ricardo Shohei Hattori
- Estação Experimental de Salmonicultura de Campos do Jordão, UPD-CJ (APTA/SAA), Campos do Jordão, São Paulo, SP 12460-000, Brazil;
| | - Túlio Teruo Yoshinaga
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, Rua Professor Orlando Marque Paiva, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil;
| | - Duílio Mazzoni Zerbinato de Andrade Silva
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Distrito de Rubião Junior, s/n, Botucatu, SP 18618-970, Brazil; (D.M.Z.d.A.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Francisco J. Ruiz-Ruano
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Fausto Foresti
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Distrito de Rubião Junior, s/n, Botucatu, SP 18618-970, Brazil; (D.M.Z.d.A.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Mateus Henrique Santos
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Avenida Carlos Cavalcanti, 4748, Ponta Grossa, PR 84030-900, Brazil; (M.H.S.); (M.C.d.A.)
| | - Mara Cristina de Almeida
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Avenida Carlos Cavalcanti, 4748, Ponta Grossa, PR 84030-900, Brazil; (M.H.S.); (M.C.d.A.)
| | - Orlando Moreira-Filho
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Evolutiva e Genética Molecular, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, Monjolinho, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil; (O.M.-F.); (R.F.A.)
| | - Roberto Ferreira Artoni
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Evolutiva e Genética Molecular, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, Monjolinho, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil; (O.M.-F.); (R.F.A.)
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Avenida Carlos Cavalcanti, 4748, Ponta Grossa, PR 84030-900, Brazil; (M.H.S.); (M.C.d.A.)
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49
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Piferrer F, Anastasiadi D, Valdivieso A, Sánchez-Baizán N, Moraleda-Prados J, Ribas L. The Model of the Conserved Epigenetic Regulation of Sex. Front Genet 2019; 10:857. [PMID: 31616469 PMCID: PMC6775248 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics integrates genomic and environmental information to produce a given phenotype. Here, the model of Conserved Epigenetic Regulation of Sex (CERS) is discussed. This model is based on our knowledge on genes involved in sexual development and on epigenetic regulation of gene expression activation and silencing. This model was recently postulated to be applied to the sexual development of fish, and it states that epigenetic and gene expression patterns are more associated with the development of a particular gonadal phenotype, e.g., testis differentiation, rather than with the intrinsic or extrinsic causes that lead to the development of this phenotype. This requires the existence of genes with different epigenetic modifications, for example, changes in DNA methylation levels associated with the development of a particular sex. Focusing on DNA methylation, the identification of CpGs, the methylation of which is linked to sex, constitutes the basis for the identification of Essential Epigenetic Marks (EEM). EEMs are defined as the number and identity of informative epigenetic marks that are strictly necessary, albeit perhaps not sufficient, to bring about a specific, measurable, phenotype of interest. Here, we provide a summary of the genes where DNA methylation has been investigated so far, focusing on fish. We found that cyp19a1a and dmrt1, two key genes for ovary and testis development, respectively, consistently show an inverse relationship between their DNA methylation and expression levels, thus following CERS predictions. However, in foxl2a, a pro-female gene, and amh, a pro-male gene, such relationship is not clear. The available data of other genes related to sexual development such as sox9, gsdf, and amhr2 are also discussed. Next, we discuss the use of CERS to make testable predictions of how sex is epigenetically regulated and to better understand sexual development, as well as the use of EEMs as tools for the diagnosis and prognosis of sex. We argue that CERS can aid in focusing research on the epigenetic regulation of sexual development not only in fish but also in vertebrates in general, particularly in reptiles with temperature sex-determination, and can be the basis for possible practical applications including sex control in aquaculture and also in conservation biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc Piferrer
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
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50
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Martínez-Juárez A, Moreno-Mendoza N. Mechanisms related to sexual determination by temperature in reptiles. J Therm Biol 2019; 85:102400. [PMID: 31657741 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.102400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A number of strategies have emerged that appear to relate to the evolution of mechanisms for sexual determination in vertebrates, among which are genetic sex determination caused by sex chromosomes and environmental sex determination, where environmental factors influence the phenotype of the sex of an individual. Within the reptile group, some orders such as: Chelonia, Crocodylia, Squamata and Rhynchocephalia, manifest one of the most intriguing and exciting environmental sexual determination mechanisms that exists, comprising temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), where the temperature of incubation that the embryo experiences during its development is fundamental to establishing the sex of the individual. This makes them an excellent model for the study of sexual determination at the molecular, cellular and physiological level, as well as in terms of their implications at an evolutionary and ecological level. There are different hypotheses concerning how this process is triggered and this review aims to describe any new contributions to particular TSD hypotheses, analyzing them from the "eco-evo-devo" perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Martínez-Juárez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Apartado Postal 70228 México, D.F. 04510, Mexico
| | - Norma Moreno-Mendoza
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Apartado Postal 70228 México, D.F. 04510, Mexico.
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