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Wei D, Su Y, Leung PCK, Li Y, Chen ZJ. Roles of bone morphogenetic proteins in endometrial remodeling during the human menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:215-237. [PMID: 38037193 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad031] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the human menstrual cycle and pregnancy, the endometrium undergoes a series of dynamic remodeling processes to adapt to physiological changes. Insufficient endometrial remodeling, characterized by inadequate endometrial proliferation, decidualization and spiral artery remodeling, is associated with infertility, endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia and miscarriage. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), a subset of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, are multifunctional cytokines that regulate diverse cellular activities, such as differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix synthesis, are now understood as integral to multiple reproductive processes in women. Investigations using human biological samples have shown that BMPs are essential for regulating human endometrial remodeling processes, including endometrial proliferation and decidualization. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review summarizes our current knowledge on the known pathophysiological roles of BMPs and their underlying molecular mechanisms in regulating human endometrial proliferation and decidualization, with the goal of promoting the development of innovative strategies for diagnosing, treating and preventing infertility and adverse pregnancy complications associated with dysregulated human endometrial remodeling. SEARCH METHODS A literature search for original articles published up to June 2023 was conducted in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases, identifying studies on the roles of BMPs in endometrial remodeling during the human menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Articles identified were restricted to English language full-text papers. OUTCOMES BMP ligands and receptors and their transduction molecules are expressed in the endometrium and at the maternal-fetal interface. Along with emerging technologies such as tissue microarrays, 3D organoid cultures and advanced single-cell transcriptomics, and given the clinical availability of recombinant human proteins and ongoing pharmaceutical development, it is now clear that BMPs exert multiple roles in regulating human endometrial remodeling and that these biomolecules (and their receptors) can be targeted for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Moreover, dysregulation of these ligands, their receptors, or signaling determinants can impact endometrial remodeling, contributing to infertility or pregnancy-related complications (e.g. preeclampsia and miscarriage). WIDER IMPLICATIONS Although further clinical trials are needed, recent advancements in the development of recombinant BMP ligands, synthetic BMP inhibitors, receptor antagonists, BMP ligand sequestration tools, and gene therapies have underscored the BMPs as candidate diagnostic biomarkers and positioned the BMP signaling pathway as a promising therapeutic target for addressing infertility and pregnancy complications related to dysregulated human endometrial remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daimin Wei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yaxin Su
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yan Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No.2021RU001), Jinan, Shandong, China
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McCaul N, Quandte M, Bontjer I, van Zadelhoff G, Land A, Crooks ET, Binley JM, Sanders RW, Braakman I. Intramolecular quality control: HIV-1 envelope gp160 signal-peptide cleavage as a functional folding checkpoint. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109646. [PMID: 34469718 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Removal of the membrane-tethering signal peptides that target secretory proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum is a prerequisite for proper folding. While generally thought to be removed co-translationally, we report two additional post-targeting functions for the HIV-1 gp120 signal peptide, which remains attached until gp120 folding triggers its removal. First, the signal peptide improves folding fidelity by enhancing conformational plasticity of gp120 by driving disulfide isomerization through a redox-active cysteine. Simultaneously, the signal peptide delays folding by tethering the N terminus to the membrane, until assembly with the C terminus. Second, its carefully timed cleavage represents intramolecular quality control and ensures release of (only) natively folded gp120. Postponed cleavage and the redox-active cysteine are both highly conserved and important for viral fitness. Considering the ∼15% proteins with signal peptides and the frequency of N-to-C contacts in protein structures, these regulatory roles of signal peptides are bound to be more common in secretory-protein biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas McCaul
- Cellular Protein Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Science4Life, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Matthias Quandte
- Cellular Protein Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Science4Life, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ilja Bontjer
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Guus van Zadelhoff
- Cellular Protein Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Science4Life, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Aafke Land
- Cellular Protein Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Science4Life, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ema T Crooks
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, 10865 Road to the Cure #100, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - James M Binley
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, 10865 Road to the Cure #100, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Rogier W Sanders
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Ineke Braakman
- Cellular Protein Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Science4Life, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Najafabadi HA, Khansefid M, Mahmoud GG, Haruna IL, Zhou H, Hickford JGH. Identification of sequence variation in the oocyte-derived bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) gene (BMP15) associated with litter size in New Zealand sheep (Ovis aries) breeds. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:6335-6342. [PMID: 34379287 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06627-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the study of reproductive traits indicate that functional variation in fertility genes may be useful for improving sheep fertility. The aim of this study was to search for variation in the bone morphogenetic protein 15 gene (BMP15) and ascertain any association with litter size in purebred Finnish Landrace sheep (n = 148), Finnish Landrace × Texel-cross sheep (n = 45), and composite sheep (of varying breed background; n = 58) from New Zealand (NZ). A 482 bp and 312 bp fragment of exon 1 and 2, respectively, of BMP15 were analysed using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). The additive and dominance effect of BMP15 variation on litter size were estimated using animal and sire models. Two variants (A and B) were detected in exon 1; no sequence variation was detected in exon 2. Variant A had the nucleotide sequence CTT between positions c.31 and c.33, while variant B had a deletion (c.31_33del). The observed frequency for variant A in the Finnish Landrace sheep, Finnish Landrace × Texel-cross sheep and the composite sheep, was 0.77, 0.92, and 0.68, respectively while the frequency of variant B (c.31_33del) was 0.23, 0.08, and 0.32, respectively. An association between litter size and c.31_33del (P < 0.001) was observed in composite sheep. Analysis of more sheep will be required to confirm these results. Litter size did not differ significantly between sheep breeds regardless of the presence/absence of c.31_33del. Results suggested that c.31_33del might be a genetic marker for improving fecundity in some NZ sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Amirpour Najafabadi
- Gene-Marker Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Majid Khansefid
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Ghassan Ghaith Mahmoud
- Gene-Marker Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Ishaku Lemu Haruna
- Gene-Marker Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Huitong Zhou
- Gene-Marker Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Jon G H Hickford
- Gene-Marker Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Chang HM, Qiao J, Leung PCK. Oocyte-somatic cell interactions in the human ovary-novel role of bone morphogenetic proteins and growth differentiation factors. Hum Reprod Update 2016; 23:1-18. [PMID: 27797914 PMCID: PMC5155571 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmw039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Initially identified for their capability to induce heterotopic bone formation,
bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional growth factors that belong
to the transforming growth factor β superfamily. Using cellular and
molecular genetic approaches, recent studies have implicated intra-ovarian BMPs as
potent regulators of ovarian follicular function. The bi-directional communication
of oocytes and the surrounding somatic cells is mandatory for normal follicle
development and oocyte maturation. This review summarizes the current knowledge on
the physiological role and molecular determinants of these ovarian regulatory
factors within the human germline-somatic regulatory loop. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The regulation of ovarian function remains poorly characterized in humans because,
while the fundamental process of follicular development and oocyte maturation is
highly similar across species, most information on the regulation of ovarian
function is obtained from studies using rodent models. Thus, this review focuses
on the studies that used human biological materials to gain knowledge about human
ovarian biology and disorders and to develop strategies for preventing, diagnosing
and treating these abnormalities. SEARCH METHODS Relevant English-language publications describing the roles of BMPs or growth
differentiation factors (GDFs) in human ovarian biology and phenotypes were
comprehensively searched using PubMed and the Google Scholar database. The
publications included those published since the initial identification of BMPs in
the mammalian ovary in 1999 through July 2016. OUTCOMES Studies using human biological materials have revealed the expression of BMPs,
GDFs and their putative receptors as well as their molecular signaling in the
fundamental cells (oocyte, cumulus/granulosa cells (GCs) and theca/stroma cells)
of the ovarian follicles throughout follicle development. With the availability of
recombinant human BMPs/GDFs and the development of immortalized human cell lines,
functional studies have demonstrated the physiological role of intra-ovarian
BMPs/GDFs in all aspects of ovarian functions, from follicle development to
steroidogenesis, cell–cell communication, oocyte maturation, ovulation and
luteal function. Furthermore, there is crosstalk between these potent ovarian
regulators and the endocrine signaling system. Dysregulation or naturally
occurring mutations within the BMP system may lead to several female reproductive
diseases. The latest development of recombinant BMPs, synthetic BMP inhibitors,
gene therapy and tools for BMP-ligand sequestration has made the BMP pathway a
potential therapeutic target in certain human fertility disorders; however,
further clinical trials are needed. Recent studies have indicated that GDF8 is an
intra-ovarian factor that may play a novel role in regulating ovarian functions in
the human ovary. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Intra-ovarian BMPs/GDFs are critical regulators of folliculogenesis and human
ovarian functions. Any dysregulation or variations in these ligands or their
receptors may affect the related intracellular signaling and influence ovarian
functions, which accounts for several reproductive pathologies and infertility.
Understanding the normal and pathological roles of intra-ovarian BMPs/GDFs,
especially as related to GC functions and follicular fluid levels, will inform
innovative approaches to fertility regulation and improve the diagnosis and
treatment of ovarian disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsun-Ming Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Rd., Haidian District, Beijing 100191, P.R. China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Room 317, 950 West 28 Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 4H4
| | - Jie Qiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Rd., Haidian District, Beijing 100191, P.R. China
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Room 317, 950 West 28 Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 4H4
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McDerment NA, Hocking PM, Dunn IC. Identification and characterisation of alternative transcriptional variants of PDGFRL in two lines of commercial poultry. Anim Genet 2015. [PMID: 26202218 DOI: 10.1111/age.12327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family of genes and their receptors are involved in angiogenesis and steroid hormone production. A putative member of the family, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-like (PDGFRL), has been implicated in steroid-based feedback mechanisms within the chicken reproductive system. Three potential variants of PDGFRL were identified in the chicken, supported by in silico prediction and EST sequencing. The three potential transcripts have been further verified and the 5' terminal regions sequenced in this research. The sum of expression of all three transcripts in broiler breeders (the parents of broiler chickens) has been shown to be consistent with total expression of the gene. However, cumulative expression of the three transcripts in a range of tissues in egg layers was significantly short of total expression, indicating the existence of potential additional variants. Two additional variants were subsequently identified in egg layer cerebellum tissue and the 5' terminal regions sequenced. Sequence analysis of the three initial variants suggests that only one variant, which was the most abundant in broiler breeders and the majority of egg layer tissues, had a functional signal peptide. Although 5' RACE identified two additional transcripts in egg layers, the most likely protein translations indicated that these variants possessed no functional signal peptide, suggesting that, if they have a function, it is not a traditional one.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A McDerment
- The Roslin Institute & R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG, Midlothian, UK
| | - P M Hocking
- The Roslin Institute & R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG, Midlothian, UK
| | - I C Dunn
- The Roslin Institute & R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG, Midlothian, UK
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Dias RO, Via A, Brandão MM, Tramontano A, Silva-Filho MC. Digestive peptidase evolution in holometabolous insects led to a divergent group of enzymes in Lepidoptera. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 58:1-11. [PMID: 25600115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Revised: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Trypsins and chymotrypsins are well-studied serine peptidases that cleave peptide bonds at the carboxyl side of basic and hydrophobic L-amino acids, respectively. These enzymes are largely responsible for the digestion of proteins. Three primary processes regulate the activity of these peptidases: secretion, precursor (zymogen) activation and substrate-binding site recognition. Here, we present a detailed phylogenetic analysis of trypsins and chymotrypsins in three orders of holometabolous insects and reveal divergent characteristics of Lepidoptera enzymes in comparison with those of Coleoptera and Diptera. In particular, trypsin subsite S1 was more hydrophilic in Lepidoptera than in Coleoptera and Diptera, whereas subsites S2-S4 were more hydrophobic, suggesting different substrate preferences. Furthermore, Lepidoptera displayed a lineage-specific trypsin group belonging only to the Noctuidae family. Evidence for facilitated trypsin auto-activation events were also observed in all the insect orders studied, with the characteristic zymogen activation motif complementary to the trypsin active site. In contrast, insect chymotrypsins did not seem to have a peculiar evolutionary history with respect to their mammal counterparts. Overall, our findings suggest that the need for fast digestion allowed holometabolous insects to evolve divergent groups of peptidases with high auto-activation rates, and highlight that the evolution of trypsins led to a most diverse group of enzymes in Lepidoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata O Dias
- Departamento de Genética, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, 13418-900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Allegra Via
- Department of Physics and Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University, P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcelo M Brandão
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Cândido Rondon, 400, 13083-875 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Anna Tramontano
- Department of Physics and Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University, P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcio C Silva-Filho
- Departamento de Genética, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, 13418-900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
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