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Chen C, Tang X, Yan S, Yang A, Xiang J, Deng Y, Yin Y, Chen B, Gu J. Comprehensive Analysis of the Transcriptome-Wide m 6A Methylome in Shaziling Pig Testicular Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14475. [PMID: 37833923 PMCID: PMC10572705 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914475] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is one of the principal post-transcriptional modifications and plays a dynamic role in testicular development and spermatogenesis. However, the role of m6A in porcine testis is understudied. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the m6A transcriptome-wide profile in Shaziling pig testes at birth, puberty, and maturity. We analyzed the total transcriptome m6A profile and found that the m6A patterns were highly distinct in terms of the modification of the transcriptomes during porcine testis development. We found that key m6A methylated genes (AURKC, OVOL, SOX8, ACVR2A, and SPATA46) were highly enriched during spermatogenesis and identified in spermatogenesis-related KEGG pathways, including Wnt, cAMP, mTOR, AMPK, PI3K-Akt, and spliceosome. Our findings indicated that m6A methylations are involved in the complex yet well-organized post-transcriptional regulation of porcine testicular development and spermatogenesis. We found that the m6A eraser ALKBH5 negatively regulated the proliferation of immature porcine Sertoli cells. Furthermore, we proposed a novel mechanism of m6A modification during testicular development: ALKBH5 regulated the RNA methylation level and gene expression of SOX9 mRNA. In addition to serving as a potential target for improving boar reproduction, our findings contributed to the further understanding of the regulation of m6A modifications in male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chujie Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.C.); (X.T.); (S.Y.); (A.Y.); (J.X.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Xiangwei Tang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.C.); (X.T.); (S.Y.); (A.Y.); (J.X.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Saina Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.C.); (X.T.); (S.Y.); (A.Y.); (J.X.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Anqi Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.C.); (X.T.); (S.Y.); (A.Y.); (J.X.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Jiaojiao Xiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.C.); (X.T.); (S.Y.); (A.Y.); (J.X.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yanhong Deng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.C.); (X.T.); (S.Y.); (A.Y.); (J.X.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.C.); (X.T.); (S.Y.); (A.Y.); (J.X.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Bin Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.C.); (X.T.); (S.Y.); (A.Y.); (J.X.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Jingjing Gu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.C.); (X.T.); (S.Y.); (A.Y.); (J.X.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
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Lin YF, Schang G, Buddle ERS, Schultz H, Willis TL, Ruf-Zamojski F, Zamojski M, Mendelev N, Boehm U, Sealfon SC, Andoniadou CL, Bernard DJ. Steroidogenic Factor 1 Regulates Transcription of the Inhibin B Coreceptor in Pituitary Gonadotrope Cells. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6661776. [PMID: 35957608 PMCID: PMC9761571 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The inhibins control reproduction by suppressing follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis in pituitary gonadotrope cells. The newly discovered inhibin B coreceptor, TGFBR3L, is selectively and highly expressed in gonadotropes in both mice and humans. Here, we describe our initial characterization of mechanisms controlling cell-specific Tgfbr3l/TGFBR3L transcription. We identified two steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1 or NR5A1) cis-elements in the proximal Tgfbr3l promoter in mice. SF-1 induction of murine Tgfbr3l promoter-reporter activity was inhibited by mutations in one or both sites in heterologous cells. In homologous cells, mutation of these cis-elements or depletion of endogenous SF-1 similarly decreased reporter activity. We observed nearly identical results when using a human TGFBR3L promoter-reporter. The Tgfbr3l gene was tightly compacted and Tgfbr3l mRNA expression was essentially absent in gonadotropes of SF-1 (Nr5a1) conditional knockout mice. During murine embryonic development, Tgfbr3l precedes Nr5a1 expression, though the two transcripts are fully colocalized by embryonic day 18.5 and thereafter. Collectively, these data indicate that SF-1 directly regulates Tgfbr3l/TGFBR3L transcription and is required for postnatal expression of the gene in gonadotropes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeu-Farn Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Evan R S Buddle
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Hailey Schultz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Thea L Willis
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Frederique Ruf-Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Michel Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Natalia Mendelev
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Stuart C Sealfon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Cynthia L Andoniadou
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Correspondence: Daniel J. Bernard, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Constantin S, Bjelobaba I, Stojilkovic SS. Pituitary gonadotroph-specific patterns of gene expression and hormone secretion. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2022; 66:102274. [PMID: 35994915 PMCID: PMC9509429 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary gonadotrophs play a key role in reproductive functions by secreting luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The LH secretory activity of gonadotroph is controlled by hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) via GnRH receptors and is accompanied by only minor effects on high basal Lhb gene expression. The secretory profiles of GnRH and LH are highly synchronized, with the latter reflecting a depletion of prestored LH in secretory vesicles by regulated exocytosis. In contrast, FSH is predominantly released by constitutive exocytosis, and secretory activity reflects the kinetics of Fshb gene expression controlled by GnRH, activin, and inhibin. Here is a review of recent data to improve the understanding of multiple patterns of gonadotroph gene expression and hormone secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Constantin
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ivana Bjelobaba
- Department for Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Stanko S Stojilkovic
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Downregulation of miR-192 Alleviates Oxidative Stress-Induced Porcine Granulosa Cell Injury by Directly Targeting Acvr2a. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152362. [PMID: 35954205 PMCID: PMC9368079 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Follicular atresia is primarily caused by breakdown to granulosa cells (GCs) due to oxidative stress (OS). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) elicit a defense response against environmental stresses, such as OS, by acting as gene-expression regulators. However, the association between miRNA expression and OS in porcine GCs (PGCs) is unclear. Here, we examined the impact of H2O2-mediated OS in PGCs through miRNA-Seq. We identified 22 (14 upregulated and 8 downregulated) and 33 (19 upregulated and 14 downregulated) differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) at 100 μM and 300 μM H2O2, respectively, compared with the control group. Among the DEmiRNAs, mi-192 was most induced by H2O2-mediated OS, and the downregulation of miR-192 alleviated PGC oxidative injury. The dual-luciferase reporter assay results revealed that miR-192 directly targeted Acvr2a. The Acvr2a level was found to be remarkably decreased after OS. Furthermore, grape seed procyanidin B2 (GSPB2) treatment significantly reduced the H2O2-induced upregulation of miR-192, and decreased PGC apoptosis and oxidative damage. Meanwhile, GSPB2 prevented an H2O2-induced increase in caspase-3 activity, which was enhanced by the application of the miR-192 inhibitor. These results indicate that GSPB2 protects against PGC oxidative injury via the downregulation of miR-192, the upregulation of Acvr2a expression, and the suppression of the caspase-3 apoptotic signaling pathway.
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Schang G, Ongaro L, Brûlé E, Zhou X, Wang Y, Boehm U, Ruf-Zamojski F, Zamojski M, Mendelev N, Seenarine N, Amper MA, Nair V, Ge Y, Sealfon SC, Bernard DJ. Transcription factor GATA2 may potentiate follicle-stimulating hormone production in mice via induction of the BMP antagonist gremlin in gonadotrope cells. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102072. [PMID: 35643321 PMCID: PMC9251782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian reproduction depends on the gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone, which are secreted by pituitary gonadotrope cells. The zinc-finger transcription factor GATA2 was previously implicated in FSH production in male mice; however, its mechanisms of action and role in females were not determined. To directly address GATA2 function in gonadotropes, we generated and analyzed gonadotrope-specific Gata2 KO mice using the Cre-lox system. We found that while conditional KO (cKO) males exhibited ∼50% reductions in serum FSH levels and pituitary FSHβ subunit (Fshb) expression relative to controls, FSH production was apparently normal in cKO females. In addition, RNA-seq analysis of purified gonadotropes from control and cKO males revealed a profound decrease in expression of gremlin (Grem1), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist. We show Grem1 was expressed in gonadotropes, but not other cell lineages, in the adult male mouse pituitary. Furthermore, Gata2, Grem1, and Fshb mRNA levels were significantly higher in the pituitaries of WT males relative to females but decreased in males treated with estradiol and increased following ovariectomy in control but not cKO females. Finally, we found that recombinant gremlin stimulated Fshb expression in pituitary cultures from WT mice. Collectively, the data suggest that GATA2 promotes Grem1 expression in gonadotropes and that the gremlin protein potentiates FSH production. The mechanisms of gremlin action have not yet been established but may involve attenuation of BMP binding to activin type II receptors in gonadotropes, facilitating induction of Fshb transcription by activins or related ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Emilie Brûlé
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Frederique Ruf-Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michel Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Natalia Mendelev
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nitish Seenarine
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mary Anne Amper
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Venugopalan Nair
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yongchao Ge
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stuart C Sealfon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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6
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Abati E, Manini A, Comi GP, Corti S. Inhibition of myostatin and related signaling pathways for the treatment of muscle atrophy in motor neuron diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:374. [PMID: 35727341 PMCID: PMC9213329 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04408-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth secreted by skeletal myocytes. In the past years, myostatin inhibition sparked interest among the scientific community for its potential to enhance muscle growth and to reduce, or even prevent, muscle atrophy. These characteristics make it a promising target for the treatment of muscle atrophy in motor neuron diseases, namely, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which are rare neurological diseases, whereby the degeneration of motor neurons leads to progressive muscle loss and paralysis. These diseases carry a huge burden of morbidity and mortality but, despite this unfavorable scenario, several therapeutic advancements have been made in the past years. Indeed, a number of different curative therapies for SMA have been approved, leading to a revolution in the life expectancy and outcomes of SMA patients. Similarly, tofersen, an antisense oligonucleotide, is now undergoing clinical trial phase for use in ALS patients carrying the SOD1 mutation. However, these therapies are not able to completely halt or reverse progression of muscle damage. Recently, a trial evaluating apitegromab, a myostatin inhibitor, in SMA patients was started, following positive results from preclinical studies. In this context, myostatin inhibition could represent a useful strategy to tackle motor symptoms in these patients. The aim of this review is to describe the myostatin pathway and its role in motor neuron diseases, and to summarize and critically discuss preclinical and clinical studies of myostatin inhibitors in SMA and ALS. Then, we will highlight promises and pitfalls related to the use of myostatin inhibitors in the human setting, to aid the scientific community in the development of future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Abati
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Manini
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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Toufaily C, Fortin J, Alonso CA, Lapointe E, Zhou X, Santiago-Andres Y, Lin YF, Cui Y, Wang Y, Devost D, Roelfsema F, Steyn F, Hanyaloglu AC, Hébert TE, Fiordelisio T, Boerboom D, Bernard DJ. Addition of a carboxy terminal tail to the normally tailless gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor impairs fertility in female mice. eLife 2021; 10:72937. [PMID: 34939930 PMCID: PMC8741216 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is the primary neuropeptide controlling reproduction in vertebrates. GnRH stimulates follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) synthesis via a G-protein-coupled receptor, GnRHR, in the pituitary gland. In mammals, GnRHR lacks a C-terminal cytosolic tail (Ctail) and does not exhibit homologous desensitization. This might be an evolutionary adaptation that enables LH surge generation and ovulation. To test this idea, we fused the chicken GnRHR Ctail to the endogenous murine GnRHR in a transgenic model. The LH surge was blunted, but not blocked in these mice. In contrast, they showed reductions in FSH production, ovarian follicle development, and fertility. Addition of the Ctail altered the nature of agonist-induced calcium signaling required for normal FSH production. The loss of the GnRHR Ctail during mammalian evolution is unlikely to have conferred a selective advantage by enabling the LH surge. The adaptive significance of this specialization remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirine Toufaily
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jérôme Fortin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Carlos Ai Alonso
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Evelyne Lapointe
- Département de biomédecine vétérinaire, Universite de Montreal, Ste-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Yorgui Santiago-Andres
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yeu-Farn Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Yiming Cui
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Dominic Devost
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ferdinand Roelfsema
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Frederik Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Aylin C Hanyaloglu
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Terence E Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Tatiana Fiordelisio
- 3epartamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Département de biomédecine vétérinaire, Universite de Montreal, Ste-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Abstract
The world of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has opened up massive new prospects in understanding the regulation of gene expression. Not only are there seemingly almost infinite numbers of lncRNAs in the mammalian cell, but they have highly diverse mechanisms of action. In the nucleus, some are chromatin-associated, transcribed from transcriptional enhancers (eRNAs) and/or direct changes in the epigenetic landscape with profound effects on gene expression. The pituitary gonadotrope is responsible for activation of reproduction through production and secretion of appropriate levels of the gonadotropic hormones. As such, it exemplifies a cell whose function is defined through changes in developmental and temporal patterns of gene expression, including those that are hormonally induced. Roles for diverse distal regulatory elements and eRNAs in gonadotrope biology have only just begun to emerge. Here, we will present an overview of the different kinds of lncRNAs that alter gene expression, and what is known about their roles in regulating some of the key gonadotrope genes. We will also review various screens that have detected differentially expressed pituitary lncRNAs associated with changes in reproductive state and those whose expression is found to play a role in gonadotrope-derived nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. We hope to shed light on this exciting new field, emphasize the open questions, and encourage research to illuminate the roles of lncRNAs in various endocrine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Refael
- Faculty of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Philippa Melamed
- Faculty of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
- Correspondence: Philippa Melamed, PhD, Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.
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9
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Lee SJ. Targeting the myostatin signaling pathway to treat muscle loss and metabolic dysfunction. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:148372. [PMID: 33938454 DOI: 10.1172/jci148372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of myostatin (MSTN; also known as GDF-8) as a critical regulator of skeletal muscle mass in 1997, there has been an extensive effort directed at understanding the cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying MSTN activity, with the long-term goal of developing strategies and agents capable of blocking MSTN signaling to treat patients with muscle loss. Considerable progress has been made in elucidating key components of this regulatory system, and in parallel with this effort has been the development of numerous biologics that have been tested in clinical trials for a wide range of indications, including muscular dystrophy, sporadic inclusion body myositis, spinal muscular atrophy, cachexia, muscle loss due to aging or following falls, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Here, I review what is known about the MSTN regulatory system and the current state of efforts to target this pathway for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Jin Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.,University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
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10
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Ongaro L, Alonso CAI, Zhou X, Brûlé E, Li Y, Schang G, Parlow AF, Steyn F, Bernard DJ. Development of a Highly Sensitive ELISA for Measurement of FSH in Serum, Plasma, and Whole Blood in Mice. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6105044. [PMID: 33475143 PMCID: PMC7894055 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) regulates gonadal function and fertility. Measurement of FSH in bodily fluids and tissues is possible with radioimmunoassays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Recently, several novel assays were developed to measure pituitary hormones including growth hormone, prolactin, and luteinizing hormone in mice from small sample volumes. Here, we describe a novel and sensitive ELISA that enables the accurate measurement of FSH in serum, plasma, and whole blood from female and male mice. The assay can also be used to measure FSH in murine pituitary lysates and cell culture media. In summary, the new methodology described here will enable investigators to measure FSH from a variety of biological samples in mice accurately, at low cost, and in their own laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Emilie Brûlé
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Yining Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Albert F Parlow
- National Hormone & Peptide Program, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Frederik Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Correspondence: Daniel J. Bernard, PhD, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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11
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Wang SZ, E GX, Zeng Y, Han YG, Huang YF, Na RS. Three SNPs within exons of INHA and ACVR2B genes are significantly associated with litter size in Dazu black goats. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:936-941. [PMID: 33720451 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms within INHA and ACVR2B and litter size in Dazu black goats. In total, twenty-two SNPs were genotyped in 190 individuals by SNaPshot and resequencing. The results showed that three SNPs (SNP_1, SNP_12 and SNP_13 in this study) were detected to have significant additive genetic effect on the recorded goat litter size (p < .05). The SNP_1 (NC_030809.1), a non-synonymous substitution of G for T at chr2-g. 28314990 in the exon 2 of INHA gene (NM_001285606.1), resulted in homozygote 2 (HOM2) contributed 0.25 and heterozygote (HET) contributed 0.12 larger litter than homozygote 1 (HOM1). Meanwhile, SNP_12 (Chr22-g. 11721225 A > T) and SNP_13 (Chr22-g. 11721227 A > C) (NC_030829.1) simultaneously mutated at the first and third position of a triplet AAA (lysine, K) in the exon 4 of ACVR2B gene (XM_018066623.1) had estimated genetic effects of HOM1 (0.00) and HOM2 (0.03) larger than HET (-0.12). In conclusion, one SNPs (chr2-g. 28314990 T > G) within the exon 2 of INHA and two SNPs (Chr22-g. 11721225 A > T and Chr22-g. 11721227 A > C) in the exon 4 of ACVR2B gene were highly recommended as candidate markers of litter size in Dazu black goats. A large-scale association study to assess the impact of these variants on litter size is still necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Zhi Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guang-Xin E
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan-Guo Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong-Fu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ri-Su Na
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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12
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Wu Q, Yang Z, Huang Y, Wang L, Weng R, Yang J. Effect of Activin A on activation status of monocytes in acute-phase Kawasaki disease. Clin Exp Med 2021; 21:407-414. [PMID: 33630201 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-021-00695-y] [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: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Kawasaki disease is a kind of self-limited systemic vasculitis involving middle and small arteries, which usually occurs in children under 5 years old. Excessive inflammatory response caused by activation of monocytes is one of the important mechanisms of Kawasaki disease. Activated monocytes secrete large amounts of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and IL-1β. Activin A, a member of transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is a multifunctional growth and transforming factor. Several experimental evidences pinpoint that Activin A can regulate multiple biological function of the immune system. However, whether Activin A is involved in regulation of activation of monocytes in Kawasaki disease was not well characterized. Here, this study showed that the expression of Activin A in serum decreased in acute-phase Kawasaki disease. Furthermore, Activin A inhibits activin type IIA receptor, activin type IB receptor, CD86 and CD80 expression in over-activated monocytes. In addition, Activin A inhibited Smad3 expression and NF-κB signaling pathways. Specific function and mechanism of Activin A in acute-phase Kawasaki disease need further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- Shenzhen Graduate School, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genome, Peking University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China
| | - Yanyan Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China
| | - Ruohang Weng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China.
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13
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Wu Q, Weng R, Xu Y, Wang L, Huang Y, Yang J. Activin a suppresses peripheral CD8 + T lymphocyte activity in acute-phase Kawasaki disease. BMC Immunol 2021; 22:17. [PMID: 33622252 PMCID: PMC7903692 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-021-00407-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kawasaki disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by systemic vasculitis of unknown aetiology and most commonly occurs in children under 5 years old. Previous studies have found that the over-activation of lymphocytes is an important mechanism of Kawasaki disease. Activin A, also known as immunosuppressive factor P, is a multifunctional growth and transforming factor. However, whether activin A is involved in the regulation of peripheral lymphocytes activity in Kawasaki disease is unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of activin A on the activity of peripheral lymphocytes in acute-phase Kawasaki disease. METHODS Seven patients with Kawasaki disease and seven healthy controls were studied. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. The activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells was investigated by flow cytometry. The expression of activin type IIA receptors was investigated by flow cytometry. RESULTS Immune imbalance in CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes were detected in acute-phase Kawasaki disease. The expression of activin type IIA receptors on CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells was increased in acute-phase Kawasaki disease and decreased following treatment with activin A. Activin A suppressed the expression of CD25 and CD69 on CD8+ T cells and the expression of CD69 on CD19+ B cells. CONCLUSIONS The expression of activin type IIA receptor was increased on CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells in Kawasaki disease. Activin A suppressed the expression of CD25, CD69 and activin type IIA receptors on peripheral CD8+ T lymphocyte. Activin A plays different roles in different lymphocyte subsets and suppresses peripheral CD8+ T lymphocyte activity in acute-phase Kawasaki disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genome, Peking University, Shenzhen Graduate School, School of Chemical Biology & Biotechnology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China
| | - Ruohang Weng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China
| | - Yongbin Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China
| | - Yanyan Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Shenzhen, 518026, China.
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14
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Brûlé E, Heinen CA, Smith CL, Schang G, Li Y, Zhou X, Wang Y, Joustra SD, Wit JM, Fliers E, Repping S, van Trotsenburg ASP, Bernard DJ. IGSF1 Does Not Regulate Spermatogenesis or Modify FSH Synthesis in Response to Inhibins or Activins. J Endocr Soc 2021; 5:bvab023. [PMID: 33796801 PMCID: PMC7986638 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvab023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked immunoglobulin superfamily, member 1 (IGSF1) gene result in central hypothyroidism, often associated with macroorchidism. Testicular enlargement in these patients might be caused by increases in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, as IGSF1 has been proposed to function as an inhibin B receptor or as an inhibitor of activin type I receptor (ALK4) activity in pituitary gonadotrope cells. If true, loss of IGSF1 should lead to reduced inhibin B action or disinhibition of activin signaling, thereby increasing FSH synthesis. Here, we show that FSH levels and sperm counts are normal in male Igsf1 knockout mice, although testis size is mildly increased. Sperm parameters are also normal in men with IGSF1 deficiency, although their FSH levels may trend higher and their testes are enlarged. Inhibin B retains the ability to suppress FSH synthesis in pituitaries of Igsf1-knockout mice and IGSF1 does not interact with ALK4 or alter activin A/ALK4 stimulation of FSHβ (Fshb/FSHB) subunit transcription or expression. In light of these results, it is unlikely that macroorchidism in IGSF1 deficiency derives from alterations in spermatogenesis or inhibin/activin regulation of FSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Brûlé
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Charlotte A Heinen
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Courtney L Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Yining Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Sjoerd D Joustra
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan M Wit
- Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Fliers
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd Repping
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A S Paul van Trotsenburg
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C7, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
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15
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Bernstein LR, Treff NR. Editorial: Causes of Oocyte Aneuploidy and Infertility in Advanced Maternal Age and Emerging Therapeutic Approaches. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:652990. [PMID: 33708177 PMCID: PMC7940751 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.652990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lori R. Bernstein
- Pregmama, LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Lori R. Bernstein,
| | - Nathan R. Treff
- Genomic Prediction Inc., North Brunswick, NJ, United States
- Genomic Prediction Clinical Laboratory, North Brunswick, NJ, United States
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