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Lundgaard Riis M, Delpouve G, Nielsen JE, Melau C, Langhoff Thuesen L, Juul Hare K, Dreisler E, Aaboe K, Tutein Brenøe P, Albrethsen J, Frederiksen H, Juul A, Giacobini P, Jørgensen A. Inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signalling during sex-specific gonadal differentiation is essential for normal human fetal testis development. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:330. [PMID: 38879537 PMCID: PMC11180390 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01704-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex-specific gonadal differentiation is directed by complex signalling promoting development in either male or female direction, while simultaneously inhibiting the opposite pathway. In mice, the WNT/β-catenin pathway promotes ovarian development and the importance of actively inhibiting this pathway to ensure normal testis development has been recognised. However, the implications of alterations in the tightly regulated WNT/β-catenin signalling during human fetal gonad development has not yet been examined in detail. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the consequences of dysregulating the WNT/β-catenin signalling pathway in the supporting cell lineage during sex-specific human fetal gonad development using an established and extensively validated ex vivo culture model. Inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signalling in human fetal ovary cultures resulted in only minor effects, including reduced secretion of RSPO1 and reduced cell proliferation although this was not consistently found in all treatment groups. In contrast, promotion of WNT/β-catenin signalling in testes severely affected development and function. This included disrupted seminiferous cord structures, reduced cell proliferation, reduced expression of SOX9/AMH, reduced secretion of Inhibin B and AMH as well as loss of the germ cell population. Additionally, Leydig cell function was markedly impaired with reduced secretion of testosterone, androstenedione and INSL3. Together, this study suggests that dysregulated WNT/β-catenin signalling during human fetal gonad development severely impairs testicular development and function. Importantly, our study highlights the notion that sufficient inhibition of the opposite pathway during sex-specific gonadal differentiation is essential to ensure normal development and function also applies to human fetal gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Lundgaard Riis
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gaspard Delpouve
- Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, FHU 1000 days for health, Inserm, Lille, France
| | - John E Nielsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Melau
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lea Langhoff Thuesen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Kristine Juul Hare
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Eva Dreisler
- Department of Gynaecology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Aaboe
- Department of Gynaecology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pia Tutein Brenøe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Jakob Albrethsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paolo Giacobini
- Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, FHU 1000 days for health, Inserm, Lille, France
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.
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Pan L, Li Z, Su Z, Su W, Zheng R, Chen W, He X, Song J, Li S, Wen P. Case Report: Long-term follow-up of desert hedgehog variant caused 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis with multiple complications in a Chinese child. Front Genet 2022; 13:954288. [PMID: 36072668 PMCID: PMC9441908 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.954288] [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: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Desert hedgehog (DHH), as a member of the Hedgehog (HH) family, is mainly involved in testicular development and peripheral nerve sheath formation. A DHH variant has been identified in patients with 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis (46, XY GD) with or without neuropathy, but few reports mention the involvement of other complications. Case presentation: Here, we report a Chinese female patient who was hospitalized at 14.3 years old due to slow breast development for more than 1 year. She had a female genitalia phenotype and breast development started at 13 years old but progressed slowly. She was not yet menarche on admission, and she had intermittent muscle cramps in her hands and feet. Her karyotype analysis was 46, XY and the SRY gene was positive. Surgical exploration revealed no uterus or ovaries, and the pathology of bilateral gonads was dysplastic testis tissue, which was consistent with partial gonadal dysgenesis (PGD). Genetic analysis identified a homozygous pathogenic variant in DHH exon 3 (c.1027T>C, p. Cys343Arg). During the 6-year follow-up, she received estrogen replacement therapy, resulting in breast development progression without gender dysphoria. However, her peripheral neuropathy became more obvious, and a nerve conduction study (NCS) indicated decreased nerve conduction velocity and action potential. In addition, she also suffered complications such as obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver, and gastric ulcers. Conclusion: In the present study, we reported a case of 46, XY GD with minifascicular neuropathy caused by a DHH homozygous variant, and we summarized the reported cases worldwide. For the first time in such patients, we showed a comparison of NCS changes with age as well as the presence of multiple complications not previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Pan
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhuoguang Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhe Su
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Zhe Su,
| | - Wei Su
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rongfei Zheng
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiyan Chen
- Department of Neural Electrophysiology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuezhi He
- Department of Ultrasonography, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianming Song
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shoulin Li
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengqiang Wen
- Shenzhen Institute of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Wei J, Wu J, Ru W, Chen G, Gao L, Tang D. Novel compound heterozygous mutations in the desert hedgehog (DHH) gene in cases of siblings with 46,XY disorders of sexual development. BMC Med Genomics 2022; 15:178. [PMID: 35971145 PMCID: PMC9377103 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-022-01334-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Disorders of sex development (DSD) are congenital disorders in which the development of the chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical. Mutations in various genes can impede gonadal development, hormone synthesis, or hormone function and cause DSD. Methods Exome sequencing was performed for two siblings with 46,XY DSD. All mutations identified by exome sequencing were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Results The 13-month-old younger sibling had a female appearance of the external genital with a clitoris that was assessed as Prader III and scored 2 in the external masculinization score evaluative test. The 16-year-old elder sibling had severe hypospadias. Exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous mutations in exon 3 of DHH in the siblings with 46,XY DSD. The frameshift mutation (NM_021044.3: c.602delC) was derived from the father and was predicted to be deleterious. The (c.937G > T) substitution mutation was derived from the mother. Conclusions Novel compound heterozygous mutations of DHH led to 46,XY DSD in two siblings. This study expands the phenotypic mutation spectra of DHH in patients with 46,XY DSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wei
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Ru
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guangjie Chen
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Daxing Tang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Lundgaard Riis M, Jørgensen A. Deciphering Sex-Specific Differentiation of Human Fetal Gonads: Insight From Experimental Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:902082. [PMID: 35721511 PMCID: PMC9201387 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.902082] [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: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-specific gonadal differentiation is initiated by the expression of SRY in male foetuses. This promotes a signalling pathway directing testicular development, while in female foetuses the absence of SRY and expression of pro-ovarian factors promote ovarian development. Importantly, in addition to the initiation of a sex-specific signalling cascade the opposite pathway is simultaneously inhibited. The somatic cell populations within the gonads dictates this differentiation as well as the development of secondary sex characteristics via secretion of endocrine factors and steroid hormones. Opposing pathways SOX9/FGF9 (testis) and WNT4/RSPO1 (ovary) controls the development and differentiation of the bipotential mouse gonad and even though sex-specific gonadal differentiation is largely considered to be conserved between mice and humans, recent studies have identified several differences. Hence, the signalling pathways promoting early mouse gonad differentiation cannot be directly transferred to human development thus highlighting the importance of also examining this signalling in human fetal gonads. This review focus on the current understanding of regulatory mechanisms governing human gonadal sex differentiation by combining knowledge of these processes from studies in mice, information from patients with differences of sex development and insight from manipulation of selected signalling pathways in ex vivo culture models of human fetal gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Lundgaard Riis
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Pachernegg S, Georges E, Ayers K. The Desert Hedgehog Signalling Pathway in Human Gonadal Development and Differences of Sex Development. Sex Dev 2021; 16:98-111. [PMID: 34518472 DOI: 10.1159/000518308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
While the Hedgehog signalling pathway is implicated in numerous developmental processes and maladies, variants in the Desert Hedgehog (DHH) ligand underlie a condition characterised by 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis with or without peripheral neuropathy. We discuss here the role and regulation of DHH and its signalling pathway in the developing gonads and examine the current understanding of how disruption to this pathway causes this difference of sex development (DSD) in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Pachernegg
- Reproductive Development Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Georges
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katie Ayers
- Reproductive Development Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Enhanced Negative Regulation of the DHH Signaling Pathway as a Potential Mechanism of Ascrotal Testes in Laurasiatherians. Evol Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-021-09542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Mehta P, Singh P, Gupta NJ, Sankhwar SN, Chakravarty B, Thangaraj K, Rajender S. Mutations in the desert hedgehog (DHH) gene in the disorders of sexual differentiation and male infertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:1871-1878. [PMID: 33712994 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02140-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify the contribution of mutations in the Desert Hedgehog (DHH) gene to the disorders of sexual differentiation (DSD) and male infertility. METHODS The study included a total 430 subjects, including 47 gonadal dysgenesis cases, 6 patients with undescended testis and infertility characterized by azoospermia, 125 infertile male patients characterized by oligoasthenozoospermia, 24 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and 200 ethnically matched normozoospermic fertile men who had fathered a child in the last two years. Sequencing of the complete coding region of the DHH gene was undertaken to find its contribution to the DSD and male infertility. RESULTS We observed four novel mutations in the DHH gene in the cases with different reproductive anomalies. A synonymous substitution, c. 543C>T (p.His181His) was observed in 6.6% oligoasthenozoospermic infertile males and 1.5% normozoospermic fertile control samples (RR = 4.4077, 95%CI 1.19-16.29). Another synonymous substitution, c.990G>A (p.Ala330Ala) was observed in an infertile patient with unilateral undescended testis (case #12). Insertion of G at c.1156insG (p.Arg385fs) was observed in a case with bilateral undescended testis and azoospermia (case #23). In gonadal dysgenesis category, two mutations, insertion of G at c.1156insG (p.Arg385fs) and c.997A>G (p.Thr333Ala) substitution were observed in one case (case #34). These mutations were completely absent in control samples. CONCLUSION Mutations in the DHH gene impact reproduction with mild mutations affecting fertility, and severe or multiple mutations resulting in gonadal dysgenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Mehta
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | | | | | | | | | - Kumarasamy Thangaraj
- Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, India
| | - Singh Rajender
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India.
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In JG, Yin J, Atanga R, Doucet M, Cole RN, DeVine L, Donowitz M, Zachos NC, Blutt SE, Estes MK, Kovbasnjuk O. Epithelial WNT2B and Desert Hedgehog Are Necessary for Human Colonoid Regeneration after Bacterial Cytotoxin Injury. iScience 2020; 23:101618. [PMID: 33089106 PMCID: PMC7559866 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal regeneration and crypt hyperplasia after radiation or pathogen injury relies on Wnt signaling to stimulate stem cell proliferation. Mesenchymal Wnts are essential for homeostasis and regeneration in mice, but the role of epithelial Wnts remains largely uncharacterized. Using the enterohemorrhagic E. coli-secreted cytotoxin EspP to induce injury to human colonoids, we evaluated a simplified, epithelial regeneration model that lacks mesenchymal Wnts. Here, we demonstrate that epithelial-produced WNT2B is upregulated following injury and essential for regeneration. Hedgehog signaling, specifically activation via the ligand Desert Hedgehog (DHH), but not Indian or Sonic Hedgehog, is another driver of regeneration and modulates WNT2B expression. These findings highlight the importance of epithelial WNT2B and DHH in regulating human colonic regeneration after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie G. In
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jianyi Yin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Roger Atanga
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Michele Doucet
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Robert N. Cole
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lauren DeVine
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Mark Donowitz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Nicholas C. Zachos
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sarah E. Blutt
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mary K. Estes
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Olga Kovbasnjuk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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9
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DHH pathogenic variants involved in 46,XY disorders of sex development differentially impact protein self-cleavage and structural conformation. Hum Genet 2020; 139:1455-1470. [PMID: 32504121 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02189-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In humans, pathogenic variants in the DHH gene underlie cases of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. DHH is part of the Hedgehog family of proteins, which require extensive processing, including self-cleavage of the precursor for efficient signalling. In our work, we have assessed the effect of several human DHH pathogenic variants involved in recessive complete or partial gonadal dysgenesis, on protein processing and sub-cellular localization. We found that a subset of variants was unable to perform self-cleavage, which correlated albeit not perfectly with an altered subcellular localization of the resulting proteins. For the processing-proficient variants, we used structural modelling tools and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations to predict the potential impact of the variants on protein conformation and/or interaction with partners. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in DHH dysfunction leading to 46,XY disorders of sex development.
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Buonocore F, Clifford-Mobley O, King TFJ, Striglioni N, Man E, Suntharalingham JP, del Valle I, Lin L, Lagos CF, Rumsby G, Conway GS, Achermann JC. Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals Novel Genetic Variants (SRY, DMRT1, NR5A1, DHH, DHX37) in Adults With 46,XY DSD. J Endocr Soc 2019; 3:2341-2360. [PMID: 31745530 PMCID: PMC6855215 DOI: 10.1210/js.2019-00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT The genetic basis of human sex development is slowly being elucidated, and >40 different genetic causes of differences (or disorders) of sex development (DSDs) have now been reported. However, reaching a specific diagnosis using traditional approaches can be difficult, especially in adults where limited biochemical data may be available. OBJECTIVE We used a targeted next-generation sequencing approach to analyze known and candidate genes for DSDs in individuals with no specific molecular diagnosis. PARTICIPANTS AND DESIGN We studied 52 adult 46,XY women attending a single-center adult service, who were part of a larger cohort of 400 individuals. Classic conditions such as17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency type 3, 5α-reductase deficiency type 2, and androgen insensitivity syndrome were excluded. The study cohort had broad working diagnoses of complete gonadal dysgenesis (CGD) (n = 27) and partially virilized 46,XY DSD (pvDSD) (n = 25), a group that included partial gonadal dysgenesis and those with a broad "partial androgen insensitivity syndrome" label. Targeted sequencing of 180 genes was undertaken. RESULTS Overall, a likely genetic cause was found in 16 of 52 (30.8%) individuals (22.2% CGD, 40.0% pvDSD). Pathogenic variants were found in sex-determining region Y (SRY; n = 3), doublesex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1; n = 1), NR5A1/steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) (n = 1), and desert hedgehog (DHH; n = 1) in the CGD group, and in NR5A1 (n = 5), DHH (n = 1), and DEAH-box helicase 37 (DHX37; n = 4) in the pvDSD group. CONCLUSIONS Reaching a specific diagnosis can have clinical implications and provides insight into the role of these proteins in sex development. Next-generation sequencing approaches are invaluable, especially in adult populations or where diagnostic biochemistry is not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Buonocore
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tom F J King
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niccolò Striglioni
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elim Man
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenifer P Suntharalingham
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ignacio del Valle
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lin Lin
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos F Lagos
- Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gill Rumsby
- Clinical Biochemistry, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gerard S Conway
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - John C Achermann
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Neocleous V, Fanis P, Cinarli F, Kokotsis V, Oulas A, Toumba M, Spyrou GM, Phylactou LA, Skordis N. 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis in a familial case with a rare mutation in the desert hedgehog (DHH) gene. Hormones (Athens) 2019; 18:315-320. [PMID: 31240586 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-019-00116-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Disorders of sex development (DSD) have been linked to gene defects that lead to gonadal dysgenesis. Herein, we aimed to identify the genetic cause of gonadal dysgenesis in a patient with primary amenorrhoea tracing it to a phenotypic female carrying a 46,XY karyotype of a consanguineous family. METHODS AND RESULTS Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed and revealed in homozygosity the rare and only once reported p.Arg164Pro missense mutation in exon 2 of the desert hedgehog (DHH) gene. Sanger sequencing was used to validate this candidate variant both in the patient, the parents, and two siblings. Both brother and sister of the index patient were found negative for the p.Arg164Pro mutation, while the consanguineous parents were found to carry the mutation in the heterozygous state. Neither the parents nor the unaffected siblings showed any reproductive malformations. CONCLUSIONS Defects in the DHH gene have been reported as a very rare cause of DSD, and this report increases the number of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis cases. Additionally, the present study highlights the importance of genetic validation of patients with DSD, since this is likely to alleviate the considerable psychological distress experienced by both the patient and the parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassos Neocleous
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Pavlos Fanis
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Feride Cinarli
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Vasilis Kokotsis
- Pediatrics and Neonates, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, London, UK
| | - Anastasios Oulas
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Bioinformatics Group, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Meropi Toumba
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Pediatric Endocrine Clinic, IASIS Hospital, Paphos, Cyprus
| | - George M Spyrou
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Bioinformatics Group, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Leonidas A Phylactou
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Nicos Skordis
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Paedi Center for Specialized Pediatrics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
- School of Medicine, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Ayers K, van den Bergen J, Robevska G, Listyasari N, Raza J, Atta I, Riedl S, Rothacker K, Choong C, Faradz SMH, Sinclair A. Functional analysis of novel desert hedgehog gene variants improves the clinical interpretation of genomic data and provides a more accurate diagnosis for patients with 46,XY differences of sex development. J Med Genet 2019; 56:434-443. [PMID: 31018998 PMCID: PMC6591740 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Desert hedgehog (DHH) gene variants are known to cause 46,XY differences/disorders of sex development (DSD). We have identified six patients with 46,XY DSD with seven novel DHH gene variants. Many of these variants were classified as variants of uncertain significance due to their heterozygosity or associated milder phenotype. To assess variant pathogenicity and to refine the spectrum of DSDs associated with this gene, we have carried out the first reported functional testing of DHH gene variant activity. METHODS A cell co-culture method was used to assess DHH variant induction of Hedgehog signalling in cultured Leydig cells. Protein expression and subcellular localisation were also assessed for DHH variants using western blot and immunofluorescence. RESULTS Our co-culture method provided a robust read-out of DHH gene variant activity, which correlated closely with patient phenotype severity. While biallelic DHH variants from patients with gonadal dysgenesis showed significant loss of activity, variants found as heterozygous in patients with milder phenotypes had no loss of activity when tested with a wild type allele. Taking these functional results into account improved clinical interpretation. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest heterozygous DHH gene variants are unlikely to cause DSD, reaffirming that DHH is an autosomal recessive cause of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. Functional characterisation of novel DHH variants improves variant interpretation, leading to greater confidence in patient reporting and clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Ayers
- Cell Biology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Gorjana Robevska
- Cell Biology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nurin Listyasari
- Centre for Biomedical Research Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University, Division of Human Genetics, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Jamal Raza
- National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Irum Atta
- National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Stefan Riedl
- St. Anna Children's Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Paediatric Department, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karen Rothacker
- Division of Pediatric Pulmology, Allergology and Endocrinology, Pediatric Department, Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Catherine Choong
- Division of Pediatric Pulmology, Allergology and Endocrinology, Pediatric Department, Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth, Australia.,School of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Sultana M H Faradz
- Division of Human Genetics, Center for Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Andrew Sinclair
- Cell Biology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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