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Duan H, Shao X, Liu W, Xiang J, Pan N, Wang X, Du G, Li Y, Zhou J, Sui L. Spatio-temporal patterns of ovarian development and VgR gene silencing reduced fecundity in parthenogenetic Artemia. Open Biol 2023; 13:230172. [PMID: 37963545 PMCID: PMC10645507 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230172] [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: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The halophilic zooplankton brine shrimp Artemia has been used as an experimental animal in multidisciplinary studies. However, the reproductive patterns and its regulatory mechanisms in Artemia remain unclear. In this study, the ovarian development process of parthenogenetic Artemia (A. parthenogenetica) was divided into five stages, and oogenesis or egg formation was identified in six phases. The oogenesis mode was assumed to be polytrophic. We also traced the dynamic translocation of candidate germline stem cells (cGSCs) using EdU labelling and elucidated several key cytological events in oogenesis through haematoxylin and eosin staining and fluorescence imaging. Distinguished from the ovary structure of insects and crustaceans, Artemia germarium originated from ovariole buds and are located at the base of the ovarioles. RNA-seq based on five stages of ovarian development identified 2657 upregulated genes related to reproduction by pair-to-pair comparison. Gbb, Dpp, piwi, vasa, nanos, VgA and VgR genes associated with cGSCs recognition and reproductive development were screened and verified using qPCR. Silencing of the VgR gene in A. parthenogenetica (Ap-VgR) at ovarian development Stage II led to a low level of gene expression (less than 10%) within 5 days, which resulted in variations in oogenesis-related gene expression and significantly inhibited vitellogenesis, impeded oocyte maturation, and eventually decreased the number of offspring. In conclusion, we have illustrated the patterns of ovarian development, outlined the key spatio-temporal features of oogenesis and identified the negative impacts of VgR gene knockdown on oogenesis using A. parthenogenetica as an experimental animal. The findings of this study also lay a foundation for the further study of reproductive biology of invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Duan
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Chemistry and Food Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuanxuan Shao
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhai Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Namin Pan
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuehui Wang
- Tianjin Fisheries Research Institute, Tianjin 300221, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoru Du
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Li
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaping Zhou
- Research Center of Modern Analytical Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Liying Sui
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Chemistry and Food Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
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2
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Pang LY, DeLuca S, Zhu H, Urban JM, Spradling AC. Chromatin and gene expression changes during female Drosophila germline stem cell development illuminate the biology of highly potent stem cells. eLife 2023; 12:RP90509. [PMID: 37831064 PMCID: PMC10575629 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly potent animal stem cells either self renew or launch complex differentiation programs, using mechanisms that are only partly understood. Drosophila female germline stem cells (GSCs) perpetuate without change over evolutionary time and generate cystoblast daughters that develop into nurse cells and oocytes. Cystoblasts initiate differentiation by generating a transient syncytial state, the germline cyst, and by increasing pericentromeric H3K9me3 modification, actions likely to suppress transposable element activity. Relatively open GSC chromatin is further restricted by Polycomb repression of testis or somatic cell-expressed genes briefly active in early female germ cells. Subsequently, Neijre/CBP and Myc help upregulate growth and reprogram GSC metabolism by altering mitochondrial transmembrane transport, gluconeogenesis, and other processes. In all these respects GSC differentiation resembles development of the totipotent zygote. We propose that the totipotent stem cell state was shaped by the need to resist transposon activity over evolutionary timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Yu Pang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Steven DeLuca
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Haolong Zhu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreUnited States
| | - John M Urban
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Allan C Spradling
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreUnited States
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3
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Wenzel M, Aquadro CF. Wolbachia infection at least partially rescues the fertility and ovary defects of several new Drosophila melanogaster bag of marbles protein-coding mutants. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011009. [PMID: 37871129 PMCID: PMC10621935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The D. melanogaster protein coding gene bag of marbles (bam) plays a key role in early male and female reproduction by forming complexes with partner proteins to promote differentiation in gametogenesis. Like another germline gene, Sex lethal, bam genetically interacts with the endosymbiont Wolbachia, as Wolbachia rescues the reduced fertility of a bam hypomorphic mutant. Here, we explored the specificity of the bam-Wolbachia interaction by generating 22 new bam mutants, with ten mutants displaying fertility defects. Nine of these mutants trend towards rescue by the wMel Wolbachia variant, with eight statistically significant at the fertility and/or cytological level. In some cases, fertility was increased a striking 20-fold. There is no specificity between the rescue and the known binding regions of bam, suggesting wMel does not interact with one singular bam partner to rescue the reproductive phenotype. We further tested if wMel interacts with bam in a non-specific way, by increasing bam transcript levels or acting upstream in germline stem cells. A fertility assessment of a bam RNAi knockdown mutant reveals that wMel rescue is specific to functionally mutant bam alleles and we find no obvious evidence of wMel interaction with germline stem cells in bam mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Wenzel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Charles F. Aquadro
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
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4
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Wenzel M, Aquadro CF. Wolbachia infection at least partially rescues the fertility and ovary defects of several new Drosophila melanogaster bag of marbles protein-coding mutants. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.20.532813. [PMID: 37645949 PMCID: PMC10461928 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.20.532813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The D. melanogaster protein coding gene bag of marbles ( bam ) plays a key role in early male and female reproduction by forming complexes with partner proteins to promote differentiation in gametogenesis. Like another germline gene, Sex lethal , bam genetically interacts with the endosymbiont Wolbachia , as Wolbachia rescues the reduced fertility of a bam hypomorphic mutant. Here, we explored the specificity of the bam-Wolbachia interaction by generating 22 new bam mutants, with ten mutants displaying fertility defects. Nine of these mutants trend towards rescue by the w Mel Wolbachia variant, with eight statistically significant at the fertility and/or cytological level. In some cases, fertility was increased a striking 20-fold. There is no specificity between the rescue and the known binding regions of bam , suggesting w Mel does not interact with one singular bam partner to rescue the reproductive phenotype. We further tested if w Mel interacts with bam in a non-specific way, by increasing bam transcript levels or acting upstream in germline stem cells. A fertility assessment of a bam RNAi knockdown mutant reveals that w Mel rescue is specific to functionally mutant bam alleles and we find no obvious evidence of w Mel interaction with germline stem cells in bam mutants. Author Summary Reproduction in the Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly is dependent on the bag of marbles ( bam ) gene, which acts early in the process of generating eggs and sperm. Mutations to this gene negatively impact the fertility of the fly, causing it to be sterile or have fewer progeny. Interestingly, we find that the bacteria Wolbachia , which resides within reproductive cells across a wide range of insects, partially restores the fertility and ovary phenotype of several bam mutants of which the resultant Bam protein is altered from wildtype. The protein function of Bam is further suggested to be important by the lack of rescue for a fly that has a fertility defect due to low expression of a non-mutated bam gene. Previous work makes similar conclusions about Wolbachia with another reproductive gene, Sex lethal ( Sxl ), highlighting the potential for rescue of fertility mutants to occur in a similar way across different genes. An understanding of the ways in which Wolbachia can affect host reproduction provides us with context with which to frame Wolbachia 's impact on host genes, such as bam and Sxl, and consider the evolutionary implications of Wolbachia 's infection in D. melanogaster fruit flies.
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Chen P, Aravin AA. Genetic control of a sex-specific piRNA program. Curr Biol 2023; 33:1825-1835.e3. [PMID: 37059098 PMCID: PMC10431932 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.057] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Sexually dimorphic traits in morphologies are widely studied,1,2,3,4 but those in essential molecular pathways remain largely unexplored. Previous work showed substantial sex differences in Drosophila gonadal piRNAs,5 which guide PIWI proteins to silence selfish genetic elements, thereby safeguarding fertility.6,7,8 However, the genetic control mechanisms of piRNA sexual dimorphism remain unknown. Here, we showed that most sex differences in the piRNA program originate from the germ line rather than the gonadal somatic cells. Building on this, we dissected the contribution of sex chromosomes and cellular sexual identity toward the sex-specific germline piRNA program. We found that the presence of the Y chromosome is sufficient to recapitulate some aspects of the male piRNA program in a female cellular environment. Meanwhile, sexual identity controls the sexually divergent piRNA production from X-linked and autosomal loci, revealing a crucial input from sex determination into piRNA biogenesis. Sexual identity regulates piRNA biogenesis through Sxl, and this effect is mediated, in part, through chromatin proteins Phf7 and Kipferl. Together, our work delineated the genetic control of a sex-specific piRNA program, where sex chromosomes and sexual identity collectively sculpt an essential molecular trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiwei Chen
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
| | - Alexei A Aravin
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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6
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Ota R, Miura H, Masukawa M, Hayashi M, Kobayashi S. Identification of novel candidate genes leading to sex differentiation in primordial germ cells of Drosophila. Gene Expr Patterns 2023; 48:119321. [PMID: 37142099 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2023.119321] [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: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Germline sex determination and differentiation are pivotal processes in reproduction. In Drosophila, sex determination of the germline occurs in primordial germ cells (PGCs), and the sex differentiation of these cells is initiated during embryogenesis. However, the molecular mechanism initiating sex differentiation remains elusive. To address this issue, we identified sex-biased genes using RNA-sequencing data of male and female PGCs. Our research revealed 497 genes that were differentially expressed more than twofold between sexes and expressed at high or moderate levels in either male or female PGCs. Among these genes, we used microarray data of PGCs and whole embryos to select 33 genes, which are predominantly expressed in PGCs compared to the soma, as candidate genes contributing to sex differentiation. Of 497 genes, 13 genes that were differentially expressed more than fourfold between sexes were also selected as candidates. Among the 46 (33 + 13) candidates, we confirmed the sex-biased expression of 15 genes by in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. Six and nine genes were predominantly expressed in male and female PGCs, respectively. These results represent a first step toward elucidating the mechanisms that initiate sex differentiation in the germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Ota
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Teikyo University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 320-8551, Japan; Division of Integrated Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Teikyo University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 320-8551, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Miura
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Masaki Masukawa
- Degree Programs in Life and Earth Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Makoto Hayashi
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Satoru Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan; Degree Programs in Life and Earth Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan; Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
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7
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Mercer M, Bhargava V, Goldstein CD, Buszczak M. Targeting Endogenous Loci That Function in Drosophila Germline Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2677:99-112. [PMID: 37464237 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3259-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology can be used to manipulate the genome of Drosophila melanogaster. The ability to delete genes, make specific mutations, add tags, or make other genetic manipulations is useful for studying germline stem cell biology. In this chapter, we will describe a method to use CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology to make knock-out and knock-in flies. We will cover everything from guideRNA (gRNA) and donor plasmid design and cloning to screening for positive edits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Mercer
- Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Varsha Bhargava
- Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Courtney D Goldstein
- Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Michael Buszczak
- Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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8
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Shapiro-Kulnane L, Selengut M, Salz HK. Safeguarding Drosophila female germ cell identity depends on an H3K9me3 mini domain guided by a ZAD zinc finger protein. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010568. [PMID: 36548300 PMCID: PMC9822104 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
H3K9me3-based gene silencing is a conserved strategy for securing cell fate, but the mechanisms controlling lineage-specific installation of this epigenetic mark remain unclear. In Drosophila, H3K9 methylation plays an essential role in securing female germ cell fate by silencing lineage inappropriate phf7 transcription. Thus, phf7 regulation in the female germline provides a powerful system to dissect the molecular mechanism underlying H3K9me3 deposition onto protein coding genes. Here we used genetic studies to identify the essential cis-regulatory elements, finding that the sequences required for H3K9me3 deposition are conserved across Drosophila species. Transposable elements are also silenced by an H3K9me3-mediated mechanism. But our finding that phf7 regulation does not require the dedicated piRNA pathway components, piwi, aub, rhino, panx, and nxf2, indicates that the mechanisms of H3K9me3 recruitment are distinct. Lastly, we discovered that an uncharacterized member of the zinc finger associated domain (ZAD) containing C2H2 zinc finger protein family, IDENTITY CRISIS (IDC; CG4936), is necessary for H3K9me3 deposition onto phf7. Loss of idc in germ cells interferes with phf7 transcriptional regulation and H3K9me3 deposition, resulting in ectopic PHF7 protein expression. IDC's role is likely to be direct, as it localizes to a conserved domain within the phf7 gene. Collectively, our findings support a model in which IDC guides sequence-specific establishment of an H3K9me3 mini domain, thereby preventing accidental female-to-male programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Shapiro-Kulnane
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Micah Selengut
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Helen K. Salz
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
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Wen L, Gong Q, Du Q, Yu X, Feng Q, Liu L. Lacking of sex-lethal gene lowers the fertility of male reproduction in Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 184:105087. [PMID: 35715034 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sex-lethal (Sxl) encodes an RNA-binding protein that acts as the switch of sex determination in Drosophila and influences the genitalia formation and gonadal development. However, its sex-determination roles are not conserved in all insects and its role in the gonadal development of Lepidoptera is not well documented. In this study, three splicing variants of Sxl mRNA were identified in Spodoptera litura and they highly expressed in gonads, particularly in the testis. The mRNA levels of SlSxl exhibited higher expression in the spermatid than the testis sheaths, and gradually increased with the spermiogenesis. Sex-lethal protein (SlSXL) is mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of spermatocytes and the head of spermatid. Knockout of SlSxl resulted in fewer eupyrene sperm bundles and apyrene sperm bundles in the testes of moth and a large number of undeveloped spermatocysts retained in the moth of mutant testis, and leading to the reduction of oviposition and hatch rate in the offsprings after mating with female. These results suggest that SlSxl is a critical player in the spermiogenesis of S. litura.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Qian Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Qian Du
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
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Bhaskar PK, Southard S, Baxter K, Van Doren M. Germline sex determination regulates sex-specific signaling between germline stem cells and their niche. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110620. [PMID: 35385723 PMCID: PMC10462394 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Establishing germ cell sexual identity is critical for development of male and female germline stem cells (GSCs) and production of sperm or eggs. Germ cells depend on signals from the somatic gonad to determine sex, but in organisms such as flies, mice, and humans, the sex chromosome genotype of the germ cells is also important for germline sexual development. How somatic signals and germ-cell-intrinsic cues combine to regulate germline sex determination is thus a key question. We find that JAK/STAT signaling in the GSC niche promotes male identity in germ cells, in part by activating the chromatin reader Phf7. Further, we find that JAK/STAT signaling is blocked in XX (female) germ cells through the action of the sex determination gene Sex lethal to preserve female identity. Thus, an important function of germline sexual identity is to control how GSCs respond to signals in their niche environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar Bhaskar
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sheryl Southard
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kelly Baxter
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Mark Van Doren
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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11
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Zinshteyn D, Barbash DA. Stonewall prevents expression of ectopic genes in the ovary and accumulates at insulator elements in D. melanogaster. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010110. [PMID: 35324887 PMCID: PMC8982855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cells (GSCs) are the progenitor cells of the germline for the lifetime of an animal. In Drosophila, these cells reside in a cellular niche that is required for both their maintenance (self-renewal) and differentiation (asymmetric division resulting in a daughter cell that differs from the GSC). The stem cell—daughter cell transition is tightly regulated by a number of processes, including an array of proteins required for genome stability. The germline stem-cell maintenance factor Stonewall (Stwl) associates with heterochromatin, but its molecular function is poorly understood. We performed RNA-Seq on stwl mutant ovaries and found significant derepression of many transposon families but not heterochromatic genes. We also discovered inappropriate expression of multiple classes of genes. Most prominent are testis-enriched genes, including the male germline sex-determination switch Phf7, the differentiation factor bgcn, and a large testis-specific gene cluster on chromosome 2, all of which are upregulated or ectopically expressed in stwl mutant ovaries. Surprisingly, we also found that RNAi knockdown of stwl in somatic S2 cells results in ectopic expression of these testis genes. Using parallel ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq experiments in S2 cells, we discovered that Stwl localizes upstream of transcription start sites and at heterochromatic sequences including repetitive sequences associated with telomeres. Stwl is also enriched at bgcn, suggesting that it directly regulates this essential differentiation factor. Finally, we identify Stwl binding motifs that are shared with known insulator binding proteins. We propose that Stwl affects gene regulation, including repression of male transcripts in the female germline, by binding insulators and establishing chromatin boundaries. Stem cells are defined by their ability to divide asymmetrically, resulting in a differentiated cell and a stem cell daughter. In fruit flies, sperm and egg production begins with germline stem cells (GSCs). The ability of a GSC to differentiate or self-renew is tightly regulated by a myriad of factors. Some of these are transcription factors, which are responsible for activating or suppressing other genes to promote one state in favor of another. Stonewall is an ovarian nuclear protein required for GSC self-renewal, whose molecular function is poorly understood. Here we show that Stonewall is responsible for preventing the activation of “male” molecular programming in the fruit fly ovary. When Stonewall is absent from the ovary, egg production is terminated and testis-specific genes become highly expressed, including the male transcript of Phf7, which induces male sexual identity in female germ cells. We also show that Stonewall is likely localizing to genomic insulators, which are regions of the genome that shield genes from nearby regulators. Our findings suggest that Stonewall helps to organize the genome in ovarian germ cells and prevent expression of male genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zinshteyn
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Daniel A. Barbash
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Grmai L, Pozmanter C, Van Doren M. The Regulation of Germline Sex Determination in Drosophila by Sex lethal. Sex Dev 2022; 16:323-328. [PMID: 35259743 PMCID: PMC10540089 DOI: 10.1159/000521235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The establishment of male or female identity (sex determination) is essential for creating the anatomical, physiological, and behavioral differences between 2 sexes of the same species (sexual dimorphism). In many organisms, including mammals and Drosophila, sex is determined by inheritance of sex chromosomes, while in other animals, sex is determined by environmental factors. Arguably the most important consequence of sex determination is the production of healthy gametes necessary for reproduction: female oocytes and male spermatids. SUMMARY The generation of sperm and oocytes requires cooperation between 2 different cell types within the gonad: germ cells and somatic cells. Defects in sex determination in either the somatic gonad or germline lead to disorders of sexual development and infertility. In Drosophila, the gene Sex lethal (Sxl) is the key determinant of sex in both the soma and the germline. However, how Sxl controls sex determination is much more well understood in the soma than the germline. Key Mesage: This review will focus on Sxl in the germline, how it is activated specifically in female germ cells, and how it regulates germline sex determination and sexual development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Grmai
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Caitlin Pozmanter
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark Van Doren
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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13
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Gong S, Zhang Y, Tian A, Deng W. Tumor models in various Drosophila tissues. WIREs Mech Dis 2021; 13:e1525. [PMID: 34730289 PMCID: PMC8566734 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of cancer is a complex multistage process. Over the past few decades, the model organism Drosophila melanogaster has been crucial in identifying cancer-related genes and pathways and elucidating mechanisms underlying growth regulation in development. Investigations using Drosophila has yielded new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor initiation and progression. In this review, we describe various tumor models that have been developed in recent years using different Drosophila tissues, such as the imaginal tissue, the neural tissue, the gut, the ovary, and hematopoietic cells. We discuss underlying genetic alterations, cancer-like characteristics, as well as similarities and key differences among these models. We also discuss how disruptions in stem cell division and differentiation result in tumor formation in diverse tissues, and highlight new concepts developed using the fly model to understand context-dependent tumorigenesis. We further discuss the progress made in Drosophila to explore tumor-host interactions that involve the innate immune response to tumor growth and the cachexia wasting phenotype. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Cancer > Stem Cells and Development Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangyu Gong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Yichi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Aiguo Tian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Wu‐Min Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
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14
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Bauer DuMont VL, White SL, Zinshteyn D, Aquadro CF. Molecular population genetics of Sex-lethal ( Sxl) in the Drosophila melanogaster species group: a locus that genetically interacts with Wolbachia pipientis in Drosophila melanogaster. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2021; 11:6296609. [PMID: 34849818 PMCID: PMC8496275 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Sex-lethal (Sxl) is the sex determination switch in Drosophila, and also plays a critical role in germ-line stem cell daughter differentiation in Drosophila melanogaster. Three female-sterile alleles at Sxl in D. melanogaster were previously shown to genetically interact to varying degrees with the maternally inherited endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis. Given this genetic interaction and W. pipientis’ ability to manipulate reproduction in Drosophila, we carried out a careful study of both the population genetics (within four Drosophila species) and molecular evolutionary analysis (across 20 Drosophila species) of Sxl. Consistent with earlier studies, we find that selective constraint has played a prominent role in Sxl’s molecular evolution within Drosophila, but we also observe patterns that suggest both episodic bursts of protein evolution and recent positive selection at Sxl. The episodic nature of Sxl’s protein evolution is discussed in light of its genetic interaction with W. pipientis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simone L White
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Daniel Zinshteyn
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Charles F Aquadro
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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15
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PHF7 Modulates BRDT Stability and Histone-to-Protamine Exchange during Spermiogenesis. Cell Rep 2021; 32:107950. [PMID: 32726616 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process of sperm generation, including mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During spermiogenesis, histones in post-meiotic spermatids are removed from chromatin and replaced by protamines. Although histone-to-protamine exchange is important for sperm nuclear condensation, the underlying regulatory mechanism is still poorly understood. Here, we identify PHD finger protein 7 (PHF7) as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for histone H3K14 in post-meiotic spermatids. Generation of Phf7-deficient mice and Phf7 C160A knockin mice with impaired E3 ubiquitin ligase activity reveals defects in histone-to-protamine exchange caused by dysregulation of histone removal factor Bromodomain, testis-specific (BRDT) in early condensing spermatids. Surprisingly, E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of PHF7 on histone ubiquitination leads to stabilization of BRDT by attenuating ubiquitination of BRDT. Collectively, our findings identify PHF7 as a critical factor for sperm chromatin condensation and contribute to mechanistic understanding of fundamental phenomenon of histone-to-protamine exchange and potential for drug development for the male reproduction system.
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16
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Yang SY. Germline masculinization by Phf7 in D. melanogaster requires its evolutionarily novel C-terminus and the HP1-family protein HP1D3csd. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6308. [PMID: 33737548 PMCID: PMC7973481 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85560-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cells in Drosophila melanogaster need intrinsic factors along with somatic signals to activate proper sexual programs. A key factor for male germline sex determination is PHD finger protein 7 (Phf7), a histone reader expressed in the male germline that can trigger sex reversal in female germ cells and is also important for efficient spermatogenesis. Here we find that the evolutionarily novel C-terminus in Phf7 is necessary to turn on the complete male program in the early germline of D. melanogaster, suggesting that this domain may have been uniquely acquired to regulate sexual differentiation. We further looked for genes regulated by Phf7 related to sex determination in the embryonic germline by transcriptome profiling of FACS-purified embryonic gonads. One of the genes positively-regulated by Phf7 in the embryonic germline was an HP1family member, Heterochromatin Protein 1D3 chromoshadow domain (HP1D3csd). We find that this gene is needed for Phf7 to induce male-like development in the female germline, indicating that HP1D3csd is an important factor acting downstream of Phf7 to regulate germline masculinization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Yuan Yang
- Department and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
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17
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Smolko AE, Shapiro-Kulnane L, Salz HK. An autoregulatory switch in sex-specific phf7 transcription causes loss of sexual identity and tumors in the Drosophila female germline. Development 2020; 147:dev.192856. [PMID: 32816970 DOI: 10.1242/dev.192856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of germ cell sexual identity is essential for reproduction. Entry into the spermatogenesis or oogenesis pathway requires that the appropriate gene network is activated and the antagonist network is silenced. For example, in Drosophila female germ cells, forced expression of the testis-specific PHD finger protein 7 (PHF7) disrupts oogenesis, leading to either an agametic or germ cell tumor phenotype. Here, we show that PHF7-expressing ovarian germ cells inappropriately express hundreds of genes, many of which are male germline genes. We find that the majority of genes under PHF7 control in female germ cells are not under PHF7 control in male germ cells, suggesting that PHF7 is acting in a tissue-specific manner. Remarkably, transcriptional reprogramming includes a positive autoregulatory feedback mechanism in which ectopic PHF7 overcomes its own transcriptional repression through promoter switching. Furthermore, we find that tumorigenic capacity is dependent on the dosage of phf7 This study reveals that ectopic PHF7 in female germ cells leads to a loss of sexual identity and the promotion of a regulatory circuit that is beneficial for tumor initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E Smolko
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
| | - Laura Shapiro-Kulnane
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
| | - Helen K Salz
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
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18
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Hudry B, de Goeij E, Mineo A, Gaspar P, Hadjieconomou D, Studd C, Mokochinski JB, Kramer HB, Plaçais PY, Preat T, Miguel-Aliaga I. Sex Differences in Intestinal Carbohydrate Metabolism Promote Food Intake and Sperm Maturation. Cell 2020; 178:901-918.e16. [PMID: 31398343 PMCID: PMC6700282 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Physiology and metabolism are often sexually dimorphic, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we use the intestine of Drosophila melanogaster to investigate how gut-derived signals contribute to sex differences in whole-body physiology. We find that carbohydrate handling is male-biased in a specific portion of the intestine. In contrast to known sexual dimorphisms in invertebrates, the sex differences in intestinal carbohydrate metabolism are extrinsically controlled by the adjacent male gonad, which activates JAK-STAT signaling in enterocytes within this intestinal portion. Sex reversal experiments establish roles for this male-biased intestinal metabolic state in controlling food intake and sperm production through gut-derived citrate. Our work uncovers a male gonad-gut axis coupling diet and sperm production, revealing that metabolic communication across organs is physiologically important. The instructive role of citrate in inter-organ communication might be significant in more biological contexts than previously recognized. Intestinal carbohydrate metabolism is male-biased and region-specific Testes masculinize gut sugar handling by promoting enterocyte JAK-STAT signaling The male intestine secretes citrate to the adjacent testes Gut-derived citrate promotes food intake and sperm maturation
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Hudry
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, iBV, France.
| | - Eva de Goeij
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alessandro Mineo
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Pedro Gaspar
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Dafni Hadjieconomou
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Chris Studd
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Joao B Mokochinski
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Holger B Kramer
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Pierre-Yves Plaçais
- Genes and Dynamics of Memory Systems, Brain Plasticity Unit, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Thomas Preat
- Genes and Dynamics of Memory Systems, Brain Plasticity Unit, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Irene Miguel-Aliaga
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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19
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Tiwari MD, Zeitler DM, Meister G, Wodarz A. Molecular profiling of stem cell-like female germ line cells in Drosophila delineates networks important for stemness and differentiation. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.046789. [PMID: 31649115 PMCID: PMC6899027 DOI: 10.1242/bio.046789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cells can self-renew and produce daughter cells destined for differentiation. The precise control of the balance between these two outcomes is essential to ensure tissue homeostasis and to prevent uncontrolled proliferation resulting in tumor formation. As self-renewal and differentiation are likely to be controlled by different gene expression programs, unraveling the underlying gene regulatory networks is crucial for understanding the molecular logic of this system. In this study, we have characterized by next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) the transcriptome of germline stem cell (GSC)-like cells isolated from bag of marbles (bam) mutant Drosophila ovaries and compared it to the transcriptome of germ line cells isolated from wild-type ovaries. We have complemented this dataset by utilizing an RNA-immunoprecipitation strategy to identify transcripts bound to the master differentiation factor Bam. Protein complex enrichment analysis on these combined datasets allows us to delineate known and novel networks essential for GSC maintenance and differentiation. Further comparative transcriptomics illustrates similarities between GSCs and primordial germ cells and provides a molecular footprint of the stem cell state. Our study represents a useful resource for functional studies on stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Summary: Fruit fly germline stem cell differentiation is accompanied by major changes of the transcriptome that may be regulated at the post-transcriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu D Tiwari
- Molecular Cell Biology, Institute I for Anatomy, University of Cologne Medical School, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Köln, Germany .,Cluster of Excellence - Cellular stress response in aging-associated diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany.,Stem Cell Biology, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Georg-August University Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniela M Zeitler
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gunter Meister
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Wodarz
- Molecular Cell Biology, Institute I for Anatomy, University of Cologne Medical School, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Köln, Germany .,Cluster of Excellence - Cellular stress response in aging-associated diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany.,Stem Cell Biology, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Georg-August University Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
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20
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Molnar C, Heinen JP, Reina J, Llamazares S, Palumbo E, Breschi A, Gay M, Villarreal L, Vilaseca M, Pollarolo G, Gonzalez C. The histone code reader PHD finger protein 7 controls sex-linked disparities in gene expression and malignancy in Drosophila. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw7965. [PMID: 31453329 PMCID: PMC6693905 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw7965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The notable male predominance across many human cancer types remains unexplained. Here, we show that Drosophila l(3)mbt brain tumors are more invasive and develop as malignant neoplasms more often in males than in females. By quantitative proteomics, we have identified a signature of proteins that are differentially expressed between male and female tumor samples. Prominent among them is the conserved chromatin reader PHD finger protein 7 (Phf7). We show that Phf7 depletion reduces sex-dependent differences in gene expression and suppresses the enhanced malignant traits of male tumors. Our results identify potential regulators of sex-linked tumor dimorphism and show that these genes may serve as targets to suppress sex-linked malignant traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Molnar
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jan Peter Heinen
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Reina
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salud Llamazares
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emilio Palumbo
- CRG, BIST, Carrer del Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- UPF, Plaça de la Mercè, 10, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM, Carrer del Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Marina Gay
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Villarreal
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Vilaseca
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giulia Pollarolo
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cayetano Gonzalez
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Corresponding author.
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21
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Tudor-domain containing protein 5-like promotes male sexual identity in the Drosophila germline and is repressed in females by Sex lethal. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007617. [PMID: 31329582 PMCID: PMC6645463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
For sexually reproducing organisms, production of male or female gametes depends on specifying the correct sexual identity in the germline. In D. melanogaster, Sex lethal (Sxl) is the key gene that controls sex determination in both the soma and the germline, but how it does so in the germline is unknown, other than that it is different than in the soma. We conducted an RNA expression profiling experiment to identify direct and indirect germline targets of Sxl specifically in the undifferentiated germline. We find that, in these cells, Sxl loss does not lead to a global masculinization observed at the whole-genome level. In contrast, Sxl appears to affect a discrete set of genes required in the male germline, such as Phf7. We also identify Tudor domain containing protein 5-like (Tdrd5l) as a target for Sxl regulation that is important for male germline identity. Tdrd5l is repressed by Sxl in female germ cells, but is highly expressed in male germ cells where it promotes proper male fertility and germline differentiation. Additionally, Tdrd5l localizes to cytoplasmic granules with some characteristics of RNA Processing (P-) Bodies, suggesting that it promotes male identity in the germline by regulating post-transcriptional gene expression.
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22
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Primus S, Pozmanter C, Baxter K, Van Doren M. Tudor-domain containing protein 5-like promotes male sexual identity in the Drosophila germline and is repressed in females by Sex lethal. PLoS Genet 2019. [PMID: 31329582 DOI: 10.1101/388850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
For sexually reproducing organisms, production of male or female gametes depends on specifying the correct sexual identity in the germline. In D. melanogaster, Sex lethal (Sxl) is the key gene that controls sex determination in both the soma and the germline, but how it does so in the germline is unknown, other than that it is different than in the soma. We conducted an RNA expression profiling experiment to identify direct and indirect germline targets of Sxl specifically in the undifferentiated germline. We find that, in these cells, Sxl loss does not lead to a global masculinization observed at the whole-genome level. In contrast, Sxl appears to affect a discrete set of genes required in the male germline, such as Phf7. We also identify Tudor domain containing protein 5-like (Tdrd5l) as a target for Sxl regulation that is important for male germline identity. Tdrd5l is repressed by Sxl in female germ cells, but is highly expressed in male germ cells where it promotes proper male fertility and germline differentiation. Additionally, Tdrd5l localizes to cytoplasmic granules with some characteristics of RNA Processing (P-) Bodies, suggesting that it promotes male identity in the germline by regulating post-transcriptional gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shekerah Primus
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Caitlin Pozmanter
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kelly Baxter
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mark Van Doren
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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23
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Abstract
Sperm exhibit dramatic evolutionarily divergent morphologies in almost all taxa. Some sexually reproductive species show polymorphisms in the sperm produced by single males. Here, we focused on Sex-lethal (Sxl), which is the master sex-determination gene in Drosophila melanogaster, and investigated its function in the lepidopteran insect Bombyx mori. Our genetic analyses revealed that Sxl is essential for the formation of anucleate nonfertile parasperm. It is not expected that Sxl would be involved in sperm polymorphisms. Yet, whereas many morphological observations and ecological surveys have been conducted on sperm polymorphisms, this paper identifies the gene involved in sperm polymorphisms. Moreover, we clearly demonstrate that parasperm of B. mori is necessary for sperm migration in female organs. Sex is determined by diverse mechanisms and master sex-determination genes are highly divergent, even among closely related species. Therefore, it is possible that homologs of master sex-determination genes might have alternative functions in different species. Herein, we focused on Sex-lethal (Sxl), which is the master sex-determination gene in Drosophila melanogaster and is necessary for female germline development. It has been widely shown that the sex-determination function of Sxl in Drosophilidae species is not conserved in other insects of different orders. We investigated the function of Sxl in the lepidopteran insect Bombyx mori. In lepidopteran insects (moths and butterflies), spermatogenesis results in two different types of sperm: nucleated fertile eupyrene sperm and anucleate nonfertile parasperm, also known as apyrene sperm. Genetic analyses using Sxl mutants revealed that the gene is indispensable for proper morphogenesis of apyrene sperm. Similarly, our analyses using Sxl mutants clearly demonstrate that apyrene sperm are necessary for eupyrene sperm migration from the bursa copulatrix to the spermatheca. Therefore, apyrene sperm is necessary for successful fertilization of eupyrene sperm in B. mori. Although Sxl is essential for oogenesis in D. melanogaster, it also plays important roles in spermatogenesis in B. mori. Therefore, the ancestral function of Sxl might be related to germline development.
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24
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Chen A, Tiosano D, Guran T, Baris HN, Bayram Y, Mory A, Shapiro-Kulnane L, Hodges CA, Akdemir ZC, Turan S, Jhangiani SN, van den Akker F, Hoppel CL, Salz HK, Lupski JR, Buchner DA. Mutations in the mitochondrial ribosomal protein MRPS22 lead to primary ovarian insufficiency. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:1913-1926. [PMID: 29566152 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is characterized by amenorrhea and loss or dysfunction of ovarian follicles prior to the age of 40. POI has been associated with autosomal recessive mutations in genes involving hormonal signaling and folliculogenesis, however, the genetic etiology of POI most often remains unknown. Here we report MRPS22 homozygous missense variants c.404G>A (p.R135Q) and c.605G>A (p.R202H) identified in four females from two independent consanguineous families as a novel genetic cause of POI in adolescents. Both missense mutations identified in MRPS22 are rare, occurred in highly evolutionarily conserved residues, and are predicted to be deleterious to protein function. In contrast to prior reports of mutations in MRPS22 associated with severe mitochondrial disease, the POI phenotype is far less severe. Consistent with this genotype-phenotype correlation, mitochondrial defects in oxidative phosphorylation or rRNA levels were not detected in fibroblasts derived from the POI patients, suggesting a non-bioenergetic or tissue-specific mitochondrial defect. Furthermore, we demonstrate in a Drosophila model that mRpS22 deficiency specifically in somatic cells of the ovary had no effect on fertility, whereas flies with mRpS22 deficiency specifically in germ cells were infertile and agametic, demonstrating a cell autonomous requirement for mRpS22 in germ cell development. These findings collectively identify that MRPS22, a component of the small mitochondrial ribosome subunit, is critical for ovarian development and may therefore provide insight into the pathophysiology and treatment of ovarian dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anlu Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Dov Tiosano
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ruth Children's Hospital, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa 30196, Israel.,Rappaport Family Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 30196, Israel
| | - Tulay Guran
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul 34899, Turkey
| | - Hagit N Baris
- Rappaport Family Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 30196, Israel.,The Genetics Institute, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel
| | - Yavuz Bayram
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Adi Mory
- The Genetics Institute, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel
| | - Laura Shapiro-Kulnane
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Craig A Hodges
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Zeynep C Akdemir
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Serap Turan
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul 34899, Turkey
| | - Shalini N Jhangiani
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Focco van den Akker
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Charles L Hoppel
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Mitochondrial Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Helen K Salz
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David A Buchner
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Research Institute for Children's Health, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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25
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The H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 maintains female identity in Drosophila germ cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4155. [PMID: 30297796 PMCID: PMC6175928 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06697-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The preservation of germ cell sexual identity is essential for gametogenesis. Here we show that H3K9me3-mediated gene silencing is integral to female fate maintenance in Drosophila germ cells. Germ cell specific loss of the H3K9me3 pathway members, the H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1, WDE, and HP1a, leads to ectopic expression of genes, many of which are normally expressed in testis. SETDB1 controls the accumulation of H3K9me3 over a subset of these genes without spreading into neighboring loci. At phf7, a regulator of male germ cell sexual fate, the H3K9me3 peak falls over the silenced testis-specific transcription start site. Furthermore, H3K9me3 recruitment to phf7 and repression of testis-specific transcription is dependent on the female sex determination gene Sxl. Thus, female identity is secured by an H3K9me3 epigenetic pathway in which Sxl is the upstream female-specific regulator, SETDB1 is the required chromatin writer, and phf7 is one of the critical SETDB1 target genes. Epigenetic regulation is critical for the maintenance of germ cell identity. Here the authors show that H3K9me3-mediated gene silencing is critical for repression of testis-specific transcription in Drosophila female germ cells, indicating H3K9me3 maintains female germ cell sexual identity.
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26
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Grmai L, Hudry B, Miguel-Aliaga I, Bach EA. Chinmo prevents transformer alternative splicing to maintain male sex identity. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007203. [PMID: 29389999 PMCID: PMC5811060 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproduction in sexually dimorphic animals relies on successful gamete production, executed by the germline and aided by somatic support cells. Somatic sex identity in Drosophila is instructed by sex-specific isoforms of the DMRT1 ortholog Doublesex (Dsx). Female-specific expression of Sex-lethal (Sxl) causes alternative splicing of transformer (tra) to the female isoform traF. In turn, TraF alternatively splices dsx to the female isoform dsxF. Loss of the transcriptional repressor Chinmo in male somatic stem cells (CySCs) of the testis causes them to "feminize", resembling female somatic stem cells in the ovary. This somatic sex transformation causes a collapse of germline differentiation and male infertility. We demonstrate this feminization occurs by transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of traF. We find that chinmo-deficient CySCs upregulate tra mRNA as well as transcripts encoding tra-splice factors Virilizer (Vir) and Female lethal (2)d (Fl(2)d). traF splicing in chinmo-deficient CySCs leads to the production of DsxF at the expense of the male isoform DsxM, and both TraF and DsxF are required for CySC sex transformation. Surprisingly, CySC feminization upon loss of chinmo does not require Sxl but does require Vir and Fl(2)d. Consistent with this, we show that both Vir and Fl(2)d are required for tra alternative splicing in the female somatic gonad. Our work reveals the need for transcriptional regulation of tra in adult male stem cells and highlights a previously unobserved Sxl-independent mechanism of traF production in vivo. In sum, transcriptional control of the sex determination hierarchy by Chinmo is critical for sex maintenance in sexually dimorphic tissues and is vital in the preservation of fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Grmai
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Bruno Hudry
- MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Miguel-Aliaga
- MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erika A. Bach
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Kimmel Stem Cell Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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27
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Salz HK, Dawson EP, Heaney JD. Germ cell tumors: Insights from the Drosophila ovary and the mouse testis. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:200-211. [PMID: 28079292 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian and testicular germ cell tumors of young adults are thought to arise from defects in germ cell development, but the molecular mechanisms underlying malignant transformation are poorly understood. In this review, we focus on the biology of germ cell tumor formation in the Drosophila ovary and the mouse testis, for which evidence supports common underlying mechanisms, such as blocking initiation into the differentiation pathway, impaired lineage progression, and sexual identity instability. We then discuss how these concepts inform our understanding of the disease in humans. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 84: 200-211, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen K Salz
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Emily P Dawson
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jason D Heaney
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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28
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Ota R, Morita S, Sato M, Shigenobu S, Hayashi M, Kobayashi S. Transcripts immunoprecipitated with Sxl protein in primordial germ cells of Drosophila embryos. Dev Growth Differ 2017; 59:713-723. [PMID: 29124738 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In Drosophila, Sex lethal (Sxl), an RNA binding protein, is required for induction of female sexual identity in both somatic and germline cells. Although the Sxl-dependent feminizing pathway in the soma was previously elucidated, the downstream targets for Sxl in the germline remained elusive. To identify these target genes, we selected transcripts associated with Sxl in primordial germ cells (PGCs) of embryos using RNA immunoprecipitation coupled to sequencing (RIP-seq) analysis. A total of 308 transcripts encoded by 282 genes were obtained. Seven of these genes, expressed at higher levels in PGCs as determined by microarray and in situ hybridization analyses, were subjected to RNAi-mediated functional analyses. Knockdown of Neos, Kap-alpha3, and CG32075 throughout germline development caused gonadal dysgenesis in a sex-dependent manner, and Su(var)2-10 knockdown caused gonadal dysgenesis in both sexes. Moreover, as with knockdown of Sxl, knockdown of Su(var)2-10 in PGCs gave rise to a tumorous phenotype of germline cells in ovaries. Because this phenotype indicates loss of female identity of germline cells, we consider Su(var)2-10 to be a strong candidate target of Sxl in PGCs. Our results represent a first step toward elucidating the Sxl-dependent feminizing pathway in the germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Ota
- Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA Center), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Shumpei Morita
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Masanao Sato
- Laboratory of Applied Molecular Entomology, Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8589, Japan
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- Functional Genomics Facility, NIBB Core Research Facilities, National Institute for Basic Biology, Nishigo-naka 38, Myodaiji, Okazaki, 444-8585, Japan
| | - Makoto Hayashi
- Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA Center), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Satoru Kobayashi
- Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA Center), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8577, Japan.,Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
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29
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Kan L, Grozhik AV, Vedanayagam J, Patil DP, Pang N, Lim KS, Huang YC, Joseph B, Lin CJ, Despic V, Guo J, Yan D, Kondo S, Deng WM, Dedon PC, Jaffrey SR, Lai EC. The m 6A pathway facilitates sex determination in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15737. [PMID: 28675155 PMCID: PMC5500889 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The conserved modification N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modulates mRNA processing and activity. Here, we establish the Drosophila system to study the m6A pathway. We first apply miCLIP to map m6A across embryogenesis, characterize its m6A ‘writer’ complex, validate its YTH ‘readers’ CG6422 and YT521-B, and generate mutants in five m6A factors. While m6A factors with additional roles in splicing are lethal, m6A-specific mutants are viable but present certain developmental and behavioural defects. Notably, m6A facilitates the master female determinant Sxl, since multiple m6A components enhance female lethality in Sxl sensitized backgrounds. The m6A pathway regulates Sxl processing directly, since miCLIP data reveal Sxl as a major intronic m6A target, and female-specific Sxl splicing is compromised in multiple m6A pathway mutants. YT521-B is a dominant m6A effector for Sxl regulation, and YT521-B overexpression can induce female-specific Sxl splicing. Overall, our transcriptomic and genetic toolkit reveals in vivo biologic function for the Drosophila m6A pathway. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a conserved RNA modification that has recently emerged as an important regulator of messenger RNA processing and activity. Here, the authors provide evidence that m6A pathway facilitates female-specific splicing of Sxl, regulating sex determination in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Kan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 1275 York Ave, Box 252, New York City, New York 10065, USA
| | - Anya V Grozhik
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York City, New York 10065, USA
| | - Jeffrey Vedanayagam
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 1275 York Ave, Box 252, New York City, New York 10065, USA
| | - Deepak P Patil
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York City, New York 10065, USA
| | - Nan Pang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 1275 York Ave, Box 252, New York City, New York 10065, USA
| | - Kok-Seong Lim
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Yi-Chun Huang
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, USA
| | - Brian Joseph
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 1275 York Ave, Box 252, New York City, New York 10065, USA
| | - Ching-Jung Lin
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 1275 York Ave, Box 252, New York City, New York 10065, USA
| | - Vladimir Despic
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 1275 York Ave, Box 252, New York City, New York 10065, USA
| | - Jian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dong Yan
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shu Kondo
- Invertebrate Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Wu-Min Deng
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, USA
| | - Peter C Dedon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Samie R Jaffrey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York City, New York 10065, USA
| | - Eric C Lai
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 1275 York Ave, Box 252, New York City, New York 10065, USA
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30
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Wang XR, Ling LB, Huang HH, Lin JJ, Fugmann SD, Yang SY. Evidence for parallel evolution of a gene involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:rspb.2017.0324. [PMID: 28539513 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PHD finger protein 7 (Phf7) is a male germline specific gene in Drosophila melanogaster that can trigger the male germline sexual fate and regulate spermatogenesis, and its human homologue can rescue fecundity defects in male flies lacking this gene. These findings prompted us to investigate conservation of reproductive strategies through studying the evolutionary origin of this gene. We find that Phf7 is present only in select species including mammals and some insects, whereas the closely related G2/M-phase specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (G2e3) is in the genome of most metazoans. Interestingly, phylogenetic analyses showed that vertebrate and insect Phf7 genes did not evolve from a common Phf7 ancestor but rather through independent duplication events from an ancestral G2e3 This is an example of parallel evolution in which a male germline factor evolved at least twice from a pre-existing template to develop new regulatory mechanisms of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Rui Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Li Bin Ling
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao Han Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Jau Jyun Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Sebastian D Fugmann
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.,Chang Gung Immunology Consortium, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.,Department of General Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Shu Yuan Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan .,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
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31
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Loveland KL, Klein B, Pueschl D, Indumathy S, Bergmann M, Loveland BE, Hedger MP, Schuppe HC. Cytokines in Male Fertility and Reproductive Pathologies: Immunoregulation and Beyond. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:307. [PMID: 29250030 PMCID: PMC5715375 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline development in vivo is dependent on the environment formed by somatic cells and the differentiation cues they provide; hence, the impact of local factors is highly relevant to the production of sperm. Knowledge of how somatic and germline cells interact is central to achieving biomedical goals relating to restoring, preserving or restricting fertility in humans. This review discusses the growing understanding of how cytokines contribute to testicular function and maintenance of male reproductive health, and to the pathologies associated with their abnormal activity in this organ. Here we consider both cytokines that signal through JAKs and are regulated by SOCS, and those utilizing other pathways, such as the MAP kinases and SMADs. The importance of cytokines in the establishment and maintenance of the testis as an immune-privilege site are described. Current research relating to the involvement of immune cells in testis development and disease is highlighted. This includes new data relating to testicular cancer which reinforce the understanding that tumorigenic cells shape their microenvironment through cytokine actions. Clinical implications in pathologies relating to local inflammation and to immunotherapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L. Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kate L. Loveland,
| | - Britta Klein
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dana Pueschl
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sivanjah Indumathy
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Mark P. Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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32
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The sexual identity of adult intestinal stem cells controls organ size and plasticity. Nature 2016; 530:344-8. [PMID: 26887495 PMCID: PMC4800002 DOI: 10.1038/nature16953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences in physiology and disease susceptibility are commonly attributed to developmental and/or hormonal factors, but there is increasing realisation that cell-intrinsic mechanisms play important and persistent roles1,2. Here we use the Drosophila melanogaster intestine to investigate the nature and significance of cellular sex in an adult somatic organ in vivo. We find that the adult intestinal epithelium is a cellular mosaic of different sex differentiation pathways, and displays extensive sex differences in expression of genes with roles in growth and metabolism. Cell-specific reversals of the sexual identity of adult intestinal stem cells uncover its key roles in controlling organ size, its reproductive plasticity and its response to genetically induced tumours. Unlike previous examples of sexually dimorphic somatic stem cell activity, the sex differences in intestinal stem cell behaviour arise from intrinsic mechanisms, which control cell cycle duration and involve a new doublesex- and fruitless-independent branch of the sex differentiation pathway downstream of transformer. Together, our findings indicate that the plasticity of an adult somatic organ is reversibly controlled by its sexual identity, imparted by a new mechanism that may be active in more tissues than previously recognised.
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33
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Noble DC, Aoki ST, Ortiz MA, Kim KW, Verheyden JM, Kimble J. Genomic Analyses of Sperm Fate Regulator Targets Reveal a Common Set of Oogenic mRNAs in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2016; 202:221-34. [PMID: 26564160 PMCID: PMC4701086 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.115.182592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cell specification as sperm or oocyte is an ancient cell fate decision, but its molecular regulation is poorly understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the FOG-1 and FOG-3 proteins behave genetically as terminal regulators of sperm fate specification. Both are homologous to well-established RNA regulators, suggesting that FOG-1 and FOG-3 specify the sperm fate post-transcriptionally. We predicted that FOG-1 and FOG-3, as terminal regulators of the sperm fate, might regulate a battery of gamete-specific differentiation genes. Here we test that prediction by exploring on a genomic scale the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) associated with FOG-1 and FOG-3. Immunoprecipitation of the proteins and their associated mRNAs from spermatogenic germlines identifies 81 FOG-1 and 722 FOG-3 putative targets. Importantly, almost all FOG-1 targets are also FOG-3 targets, and these common targets are strongly biased for oogenic mRNAs. The discovery of common target mRNAs suggested that FOG-1 and FOG-3 work together. Consistent with that idea, we find that FOG-1 and FOG-3 proteins co-immunoprecipitate from both intact nematodes and mammalian tissue culture cells and that they colocalize in germ cells. Taking our results together, we propose a model in which FOG-1 and FOG-3 work in a complex to repress oogenic transcripts and thereby promote the sperm fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Noble
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Scott T Aoki
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Marco A Ortiz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Kyung Won Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Jamie M Verheyden
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Judith Kimble
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
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34
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Abstract
Sex-lethal (Sxl) encodes the master regulator of the sex determination pathway in Drosophila and acts by controlling sex identity in both soma and germ line. In females Sxl maintains its own expression by controlling the alternative splicing of its own mRNA. Here, we identify a novel sex determination gene, spenito (nito) that encodes a SPEN family protein. Loss of nito activity results in stem cell tumors in the female germ line as well as female-to-male somatic transformations. We show that Nito is a ubiquitous nuclear protein that controls the alternative splicing of the Sxl mRNA by interacting with Sxl protein and pre-mRNA, suggesting that it is directly involved in Sxl auto-regulation. Given that SPEN family proteins are frequently mutated in cancers, our results suggest that these factors might be implicated in tumorigenesis through splicing regulation.
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