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Elliott A, Walters RK, Pirinen M, Kurki M, Junna N, Goldstein JI, Reeve MP, Siirtola H, Lemmelä SM, Turley P, Lahtela E, Mehtonen J, Reis K, Elnahas AG, Reigo A, Palta P, Esko T, Mägi R, Palotie A, Daly MJ, Widén E. Distinct and shared genetic architectures of gestational diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes. Nat Genet 2024; 56:377-382. [PMID: 38182742 PMCID: PMC10937370 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01607-4] [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: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic disorder affecting more than 16 million pregnancies annually worldwide1,2. GDM is related to an increased lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D)1-3, with over a third of women developing T2D within 15 years of their GDM diagnosis. The diseases are hypothesized to share a genetic predisposition1-7, but few studies have sought to uncover the genetic underpinnings of GDM. Most studies have evaluated the impact of T2D loci only8-10, and the three prior genome-wide association studies of GDM11-13 have identified only five loci, limiting the power to assess to what extent variants or biological pathways are specific to GDM. We conducted the largest genome-wide association study of GDM to date in 12,332 cases and 131,109 parous female controls in the FinnGen study and identified 13 GDM-associated loci, including nine new loci. Genetic features distinct from T2D were identified both at the locus and genomic scale. Our results suggest that the genetics of GDM risk falls into the following two distinct categories: one part conventional T2D polygenic risk and one part predominantly influencing mechanisms disrupted in pregnancy. Loci with GDM-predominant effects map to genes related to islet cells, central glucose homeostasis, steroidogenesis and placental expression.
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Grants
- R00 AG062787 NIA NIH HHS
- R01 MH101244 NIMH NIH HHS
- A.E. was a research Scholar supported by Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Academy of Finland (Suomen Akatemia)
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute on Aging (U.S. National Institute on Aging)
- The FinnGen project is funded by two grants from Business Finland (HUS 4685/31/2016 and UH 4386/31/2016) and by eleven industry partners (AbbVie Inc, AstraZeneca UK Ltd, Biogen MA Inc, Celgene Corporation, Celgene International II Sàrl, Genentech Inc, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, Pfizer Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Maze Therapeutics Inc., Janssen Biotech Inc).
- EstBB GWAS analysis is supported by research funding from the Estonian Research Council: Team grant PRG1291 and PRG1911.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Elliott
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Raymond K Walters
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matti Pirinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mitja Kurki
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nella Junna
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacqueline I Goldstein
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mary Pat Reeve
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Harri Siirtola
- TAUCHI Research Center, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences (ITC), Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Susanna M Lemmelä
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Patrick Turley
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elisa Lahtela
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Mehtonen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kadri Reis
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Anu Reigo
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Priit Palta
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tõnu Esko
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Reedik Mägi
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Aarno Palotie
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mark J Daly
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Elisabeth Widén
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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2
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Prokai-Tatrai K, Prokai L. The impact of 17β-estradiol on the estrogen-deficient female brain: from mechanisms to therapy with hot flushes as target symptoms. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1310432. [PMID: 38260155 PMCID: PMC10800853 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1310432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex steroids are essential for whole body development and functions. Among these steroids, 17β-estradiol (E2) has been known as the principal "female" hormone. However, E2's actions are not restricted to reproduction, as it plays a myriad of important roles throughout the body including the brain. In fact, this hormone also has profound effects on the female brain throughout the life span. The brain receives this gonadal hormone from the circulation, and local formation of E2 from testosterone via aromatase has been shown. Therefore, the brain appears to be not only a target but also a producer of this steroid. The beneficial broad actions of the hormone in the brain are the end result of well-orchestrated delayed genomic and rapid non-genomic responses. A drastic and steady decline in circulating E2 in a female occurs naturally over an extended period of time starting with the perimenopausal transition, as ovarian functions are gradually declining until the complete cessation of the menstrual cycle. The waning of endogenous E2 in the blood leads to an estrogen-deficient brain. This adversely impacts neural and behavioral functions and may lead to a constellation of maladies such as vasomotor symptoms with varying severity among women and, also, over time within an individual. Vasomotor symptoms triggered apparently by estrogen deficiency are related to abnormal changes in the hypothalamus particularly involving its preoptic and anterior areas. However, conventional hormone therapies to "re-estrogenize" the brain carry risks due to multiple confounding factors including unwanted hormonal exposure of the periphery. In this review, we focus on hot flushes as the archetypic manifestation of estrogen deprivation in the brain. Beyond our current mechanistic understanding of the symptoms, we highlight the arduous process and various obstacles of developing effective and safe therapies for hot flushes using E2. We discuss our preclinical efforts to constrain E2's beneficial actions to the brain by the DHED prodrug our laboratory developed to treat maladies associated with the hypoestrogenic brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Prokai-Tatrai
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
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3
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Uenoyama Y, Inoue N, Nakamura S, Tsukamura H. Kisspeptin Neurons and Estrogen-Estrogen Receptor α Signaling: Unraveling the Mystery of Steroid Feedback System Regulating Mammalian Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179229. [PMID: 34502135 PMCID: PMC8430864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen produced by ovarian follicles plays a key role in the central mechanisms controlling reproduction via regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release by its negative and positive feedback actions in female mammals. It has been well accepted that estrogen receptor α (ERα) mediates both estrogen feedback actions, but precise targets had remained as a mystery for decades. Ever since the discovery of kisspeptin neurons as afferent ERα-expressing neurons to govern GnRH neurons, the mechanisms mediating estrogen feedback are gradually being unraveled. The present article overviews the role of kisspeptin neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), which are considered to drive pulsatile GnRH/gonadotropin release and folliculogenesis, in mediating the estrogen negative feedback action, and the role of kisspeptin neurons located in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus-periventricular nucleus (AVPV-PeN), which are thought to drive GnRH/luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and consequent ovulation, in mediating the estrogen positive feedback action. This implication has been confirmed by the studies showing that estrogen-bound ERα down- and up-regulates kisspeptin gene (Kiss1) expression in the ARC and AVPV-PeN kisspeptin neurons, respectively. The article also provides the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms regulating Kiss1 expression in kisspeptin neurons by estrogen. Further, afferent ERα-expressing neurons that may regulate kisspeptin release are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihisa Uenoyama
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; (Y.U.); (N.I.)
| | - Naoko Inoue
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; (Y.U.); (N.I.)
| | - Sho Nakamura
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari 794-8555, Japan;
| | - Hiroko Tsukamura
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; (Y.U.); (N.I.)
- Correspondence:
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4
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Mohr MA, Wong AM, Sukumar G, Dalgard CL, Hong W, Wu TJ, Wu YE, Micevych PE. RNA-sequencing of AVPV and ARH reveals vastly different temporal and transcriptomic responses to estradiol in the female rat hypothalamus. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256148. [PMID: 34407144 PMCID: PMC8372949 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In females, estrogens have two main modes of action relating to gonadotropin secretion: positive feedback and negative feedback. Estrogen positive and negative feedback are controlled by different regions of the hypothalamus: the preoptic area/anterior portion (mainly the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, AVPV) of the hypothalamus is associated with estrogen positive feedback while the mediobasal hypothalamus (mainly the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, ARH), is associated with estrogen negative feedback. In this study, we examined the temporal pattern of gene transcription in these two regions following estrogen treatment. Adult, ovariectomized, Long Evans rats received doses of estradiol benzoate (EB) or oil every 4 days for 3 cycles. On the last EB priming cycle, hypothalamic tissues were dissected into the AVPV+ and ARH+ at 0 hrs (baseline/oil control), 6 hrs, or 24 hrs after EB treatment. RNA was extracted and sequenced using bulk RNA sequencing. Differential gene analysis, gene ontology, and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was performed. Overall, we found that the AVPV+ and ARH+ respond differently to estradiol stimulation. In both regions, estradiol treatment resulted in more gene up-regulation than down-regulation. S100g was very strongly up-regulated by estradiol in both regions at 6 and 24 hrs after EB treatment. In the AVPV+ the highest number of differentially expressed genes occurred 24 hrs after EB. In the ARH+, the highest number of genes differentially expressed by EB occurred between 6 and 24 hrs after EB, while in the AVPV+, the fewest genes changed their expression between these time points, demonstrating a temporal difference in the way that EB regulates transcription these two areas. Several genes strongly implicated in gonadotropin release were differentially affected by estradiol including Esr1, encoding estrogen receptor-α and Kiss1, encoding kisspeptin. As an internal validation, Kiss1 was up-regulated in the AVPV+ and down-regulated in the ARH+. Gene network analysis revealed the vastly different clustering of genes modulated by estradiol in the AVPV+ compared with the ARH+. These results indicate that gene expression in these two hypothalamic regions have specific responses to estradiol in timing and direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A. Mohr
- Dept of Neurobiology, and the Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA DGSOM, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Angela M. Wong
- Dept of Neurobiology, and the Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA DGSOM, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Gauthaman Sukumar
- Dept of Gynecological Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Clifton L. Dalgard
- Dept of Gynecological Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Weizhe Hong
- Dept of Neurobiology, and the Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA DGSOM, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - T. John Wu
- Dept of Gynecological Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ye Emily Wu
- Dept of Neurobiology, and the Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA DGSOM, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Paul E. Micevych
- Dept of Neurobiology, and the Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA DGSOM, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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5
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Bacci M, Lorito N, Ippolito L, Ramazzotti M, Luti S, Romagnoli S, Parri M, Bianchini F, Cappellesso F, Virga F, Gao Q, Simões BM, Marangoni E, Martin LA, Comito G, Ferracin M, Giannoni E, Mazzone M, Chiarugi P, Morandi A. Reprogramming of Amino Acid Transporters to Support Aspartate and Glutamate Dependency Sustains Endocrine Resistance in Breast Cancer. Cell Rep 2020; 28:104-118.e8. [PMID: 31269432 PMCID: PMC6616584 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine therapy (ET) is the standard of care for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers. Despite its efficacy, ∼40% of women relapse with ET-resistant (ETR) disease. A global transcription analysis in ETR cells reveals a downregulation of the neutral and basic amino acid transporter SLC6A14 governed by enhanced miR-23b-3p expression, resulting in impaired amino acid metabolism. This altered amino acid metabolism in ETR cells is supported by the activation of autophagy and the enhanced import of acidic amino acids (aspartate and glutamate) mediated by the SLC1A2 transporter. The clinical significance of these findings is validated by multiple orthogonal approaches in a large cohort of ET-treated patients, in patient-derived xenografts, and in in vivo experiments. Targeting these amino acid metabolic dependencies resensitizes ETR cells to therapy and impairs the aggressive features of ETR cells, offering predictive biomarkers and potential targetable pathways to be exploited to combat or delay ETR in ER+ breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Bacci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Nicla Lorito
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Luigi Ippolito
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Matteo Ramazzotti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Simone Luti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Simone Romagnoli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Matteo Parri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Francesca Bianchini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Federica Cappellesso
- VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Federico Virga
- VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium; Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC), Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Qiong Gao
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Bruno M Simões
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Elisabetta Marangoni
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Translational Research Department, Paris 75248, France
| | - Lesley-Ann Martin
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Giuseppina Comito
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Manuela Ferracin
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Elisa Giannoni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Paola Chiarugi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Andrea Morandi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy.
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6
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Gegenhuber B, Tollkuhn J. Signatures of sex: Sex differences in gene expression in the vertebrate brain. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2020; 9:e348. [PMID: 31106965 PMCID: PMC6864223 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Women and men differ in disease prevalence, symptoms, and progression rates for many psychiatric and neurological disorders. As more preclinical studies include both sexes in experimental design, an increasing number of sex differences in physiology and behavior have been reported. In the brain, sex-typical behaviors are thought to result from sex-specific patterns of neural activity in response to the same sensory stimulus or context. These differential firing patterns likely arise as a consequence of underlying anatomic or molecular sex differences. Accordingly, gene expression in the brains of females and males has been extensively investigated, with the goal of identifying biological pathways that specify or modulate sex differences in brain function. However, there is surprisingly little consensus on sex-biased genes across studies and only a handful of robust candidates have been pursued in the follow-up experiments. Furthermore, it is not known how or when sex-biased gene expression originates, as few studies have been performed in the developing brain. Here we integrate molecular genetic and neural circuit perspectives to provide a conceptual framework of how sex differences in gene expression can arise in the brain. We detail mechanisms of gene regulation by steroid hormones, highlight landmark studies in rodents and humans, identify emerging themes, and offer recommendations for future research. This article is categorized under: Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory Mechanisms Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Sex Determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Gegenhuber
- Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
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7
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Acevedo-Rodriguez A, Kauffman AS, Cherrington BD, Borges CS, Roepke TA, Laconi M. Emerging insights into hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis regulation and interaction with stress signalling. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30. [PMID: 29524268 PMCID: PMC6129417 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction and fertility are regulated via hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Control of this reproductive axis occurs at all levels, including the brain and pituitary, and allows for the promotion or inhibition of gonadal sex steroid secretion and function. In addition to guiding proper gonadal development and function, gonadal sex steroids also act in negative- and positive-feedback loops to regulate reproductive circuitry in the brain, including kisspeptin neurones, thereby modulating overall HPG axis status. Additional regulation is also provided by sex steroids made within the brain, including neuroprogestins. Furthermore, because reproduction and survival need to be coordinated and balanced, the HPG axis is able to modulate (and be modulated by) stress hormone signalling, including cortiscosterone, from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This review covers recent data related to the neural, hormonal and stress regulation of the HPG axis and emerging interactions between the HPG and HPA axes, focusing on actions at the level of the brain and pituitary.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Acevedo-Rodriguez
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - A S Kauffman
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - B D Cherrington
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - C S Borges
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - T A Roepke
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - M Laconi
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET), Universidad Juan Agustín Maza, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Ambientales, Universidad Juan Agustín Maza, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
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8
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Qiu J, Rivera HM, Bosch MA, Padilla SL, Stincic TL, Palmiter RD, Kelly MJ, Rønnekleiv OK. Estrogenic-dependent glutamatergic neurotransmission from kisspeptin neurons governs feeding circuits in females. eLife 2018; 7:e35656. [PMID: 30079889 PMCID: PMC6103748 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [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] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptides tachykinin2 (Tac2) and kisspeptin (Kiss1) in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus Kiss1 (Kiss1ARH) neurons are essential for pulsatile release of GnRH and reproduction. Since 17β-estradiol (E2) decreases Kiss1 and Tac2 mRNA expression in Kiss1ARH neurons, the role of Kiss1ARH neurons during E2-driven anorexigenic states and their coordination of POMC and NPY/AgRP feeding circuits have been largely ignored. Presently, we show that E2 augmented the excitability of Kiss1ARH neurons by amplifying Cacna1g, Hcn1 and Hcn2 mRNA expression and T-type calcium and h-currents. E2 increased Slc17a6 mRNA expression and glutamatergic synaptic input to arcuate neurons, which excited POMC and inhibited NPY/AgRP neurons via metabotropic receptors. Deleting Slc17a6 in Kiss1 neurons eliminated glutamate release and led to conditioned place preference for sucrose in E2-treated KO female mice. Therefore, the E2-driven increase in Kiss1 neuronal excitability and glutamate neurotransmission may play a key role in governing the motivational drive for palatable food in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Qiu
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Heidi M Rivera
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Martha A Bosch
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Stephanie L Padilla
- Department of BiochemistryHoward Hughes Medical Institute, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Todd L Stincic
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Richard D Palmiter
- Department of BiochemistryHoward Hughes Medical Institute, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Martin J Kelly
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
- Division of NeuroscienceOregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science UniversityBeavertonUnited States
| | - Oline K Rønnekleiv
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
- Division of NeuroscienceOregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science UniversityBeavertonUnited States
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9
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Qin X, Xiao Y, Ye C, Jia J, Liu X, Liang H, Zou G, Hu G. Pituitary Action of E2 in Prepubertal Grass Carp: Receptor Specificity and Signal Transduction for Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Regulation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:308. [PMID: 29937753 PMCID: PMC6002485 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
17β-estradiol (E2) is an important sex steroid produced by ovary and brain. In mammals, E2 plays an important role in hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis to regulate puberty onset, however, little is known about the functional role of E2 in teleost pituitary. Using prepubertal grass carp as model, three nuclear estrogen receptors (nERs: estrogen receptor alpha, estrogen receptor beta 1, and estrogen receptor beta 2) and two G protein-coupled estrogen receptors (GPER1: GPER1a and GPER1b) were isolated from grass carp pituitary. Tissue distribution analysis indicated that both nERs and GPERs were highly detected in grass carp pituitary, which suggested that E2 should play an important role in grass carp pituitary. Using primary cultured grass carp pituitary cells as model, high-throughput RNA-seq was used to examine the E2-induced differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Transcriptomic analysis showed that E2 could significantly upregulate the expression of 28 genes in grass carp pituitary cells, which were characterized into different functions including reproduction, gonad development, and central nervous system development. Further studies confirmed that E2 could induce luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion and mRNA expression in prepubertal grass carp pituitary in vivo and in vitro. In the pituitary, LH and FSH regulation by E2 were mediated by both ERβ and GPER1. Apparently, E2-induced LHβ and FSHβ mRNA expression were mediated by adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/protein kinase A, phospholipase C/inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate/protein kinase C, and Ca2+/calmodulin/CaM-dependent protein kinase II pathways. In addition to LH and FSH, E2 could also induce growth regulation by estrogen in breast cancer 1 (a novel regulator for pituitary development) mRNA expression in grass carp pituitary cells. These results, as a whole, suggested that E2 could play an important role in gonadotropin hormone release and pituitary development in prepubertal grass carp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangfeng Qin
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaqian Xiao
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Cheng Ye
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingyi Jia
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangjiang Liu
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongwei Liang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation Ministry of Agriculture, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Guiwei Zou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation Ministry of Agriculture, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Guangfu Hu
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Guangfu Hu,
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The Progestin Receptor Interactome in the Female Mouse Hypothalamus: Interactions with Synaptic Proteins Are Isoform Specific and Ligand Dependent. eNeuro 2017; 4:eN-NWR-0272-17. [PMID: 28955722 PMCID: PMC5605756 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0272-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Progestins bind to the progestin receptor (PR) isoforms, PR-A and PR-B, in brain to influence development, female reproduction, anxiety, and stress. Hormone-activated PRs associate with multiple proteins to form functional complexes. In the present study, proteins from female mouse hypothalamus that associate with PR were isolated using affinity pull-down assays with glutathione S-transferase–tagged mouse PR-A and PR-B. Using complementary proteomics approaches, reverse phase protein array (RPPA) and mass spectrometry, we identified hypothalamic proteins that interact with PR in a ligand-dependent and isoform-specific manner and were confirmed by Western blot. Synaptic proteins, including synapsin-I and synapsin-II, interacted with agonist-bound PR isoforms, suggesting that both isoforms function in synaptic plasticity. In further support, synaptogyrin-III and synapsin-III associated with PR-A and PR-B, respectively. PR also interacted with kinases, including c-Src, mTOR, and MAPK1, confirming phosphorylation as an integral process in rapid effects of PR in the brain. Consistent with a role in transcriptional regulation, PR associated with transcription factors and coactivators in a ligand-specific and isoform-dependent manner. Interestingly, both PR isoforms associated with a key regulator of energy homeostasis, FoxO1, suggesting a novel role for PR in energy metabolism. Because many identified proteins in this PR interactome are synaptic proteins, we tested the hypothesis that progestins function in synaptic plasticity. Indeed, progesterone enhanced synaptic density, by increasing synapsin-I–positive synapses, in rat primary cortical neuronal cultures. This novel combination of RPPA and mass spectrometry allowed identification of PR action in synaptic remodeling and energy homeostasis and reveals unique roles for progestins in brain function and disease.
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