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Mäkelä JA, Toppari J. Retinoblastoma-E2F Transcription Factor Interplay Is Essential for Testicular Development and Male Fertility. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:903684. [PMID: 35663332 PMCID: PMC9161260 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.903684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The retinoblastoma (RB) protein family members (pRB, p107 and p130) are key regulators of cell cycle progression, but also play crucial roles in apoptosis, and stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. RB proteins exert their effects through binding to E2F transcription factors, which are essential developmental and physiological regulators of tissue and organ homeostasis. According to the canonical view, phosphorylation of RB results in release of E2Fs and induction of genes needed for progress of the cell cycle. However, there are eight members in the E2F transcription factor family with both activator (E2F1-3a) and repressor (E2F3b-E2F8) roles, highlighting the functional diversity of RB-E2F pathway. In this review article we summarize the data showing that RB-E2F interaction is a key cell-autonomous mechanism responsible for establishment and maintenance of lifelong male fertility. We also review the expression pattern of RB proteins and E2F transcription factors in the testis and male germ cells. The available evidence supports that RB and E2F family members are widely and dynamically expressed in the testis, and they are known to have versatile roles during spermatogenesis. Knowledge of the function and significance of RB-E2F interplay for testicular development and spermatogenesis comes primarily from gene knock-out (KO) studies. Several studies conducted in Sertoli cell-specific pRB-KO mice have demonstrated that pRB-mediated inhibition of E2F3 is essential for Sertoli cell functional maturation and cell cycle exit, highlighting that RB-E2F interaction in Sertoli cells is paramount to male fertility. Similarly, ablation of either pRB or E2F1 in the germline results in progressive testicular atrophy due to germline stem cell (GSC) depletion, emphasizing the importance of proper RB-E2F interplay for germline maintenance and lifelong sperm production. In summary, while balanced RB-E2F interplay is essential for cell-autonomous maintenance of GSCs and, the pRB-E2F3 system in Sertoli cells is critical for providing GSC niche thus laying the basis for spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juho-Antti Mäkelä
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- *Correspondence: Jorma Toppari,
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Lu H, Zhao C, Zhu B, Zhang Z, Ge W. Loss of Inhibin Advances Follicle Activation and Female Puberty Onset but Blocks Oocyte Maturation in Zebrafish. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5921142. [PMID: 33045050 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Inhibin was first characterized in mammals as a gonadal dimeric protein that inhibited pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion. As in mammals, the inhibin-specific α subunit (INHA/Inha/inha) has also been characterized in teleosts; however, its functions and physiological importance in fish reproduction remain unknown. Using CRISPR/Cas9 method, we generated an inha-deficient zebrafish line and analyzed its reproductive performance. As expected, pituitary expression of fshb increased significantly in both the young and the adult inha mutant. The expression of lhb also increased in the mutant, but only in sexually mature adults. Interestingly, the expression of activin βA (inhbaa) increased significantly in both the ovary and the testis of inha mutant, and the expression of ovarian aromatase (cyp19a1a) also increased dramatically in the mutant ovary. The juvenile female mutant showed clear signs of early follicle activation or precocious puberty onset. However, the adult female mutant was infertile with follicles arrested at the full-grown stage without final oocyte maturation and ovulation. Although follicle growth was normal overall in the mutant, the size and distribution of yolk granules in oocytes were distinct and some follicles showed granulosa cell hypertrophy. In contrast to females, inha-null males showed normal spermatogenesis and fertility. As reported in mammals, we also found sporadic tumor formation in inha mutants. Taken together, our study not only confirmed some conserved roles of inhibin across vertebrates, such as inhibition of FSH biosynthesis and tumor formation, but also revealed novel aspects of inhibin functions such as disruption of folliculogenesis and female infertility but no obvious involvement in spermatogenesis in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijie Lu
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Wei Ge
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
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Morais RDVS, Crespo D, Nóbrega RH, Lemos MS, van de Kant HJG, de França LR, Male R, Bogerd J, Schulz RW. Antagonistic regulation of spermatogonial differentiation in zebrafish (Danio rerio) by Igf3 and Amh. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017. [PMID: 28645700 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fsh-mediated regulation of zebrafish spermatogenesis includes modulating the expression of testicular growth factors. Here, we study if and how two Sertoli cell-derived Fsh-responsive growth factors, anti-Müllerian hormone (Amh; inhibiting steroidogenesis and germ cell differentiation) and insulin-like growth factor 3 (Igf3; stimulating germ cell differentiation), cooperate in regulating spermatogonial development. In dose response and time course experiments with primary testis tissue cultures, Fsh up-regulated igf3 transcript levels and down-regulated amh transcript levels; igf3 transcript levels were more rapidly up-regulated and responded to lower Fsh concentrations than were required to decrease amh mRNA levels. Quantification of immunoreactive Amh and Igf3 on testis sections showed that Fsh increased slightly Igf3 staining but decreased clearly Amh staining. Studying the direct interaction of the two growth factors showed that Amh compromised Igf3-stimulated proliferation of type A (both undifferentiated [Aund] and differentiating [Adiff]) spermatogonia. Also the proliferation of those Sertoli cells associated with Aund spermatogonia was reduced by Amh. To gain more insight into how Amh inhibits germ cell development, we examined Amh-induced changes in testicular gene expression by RNA sequencing. The majority (69%) of the differentially expressed genes was down-regulated by Amh, including several stimulators of spermatogenesis, such as igf3 and steroidogenesis-related genes. At the same time, Amh increased the expression of inhibitory signals, such as inha and id3, or facilitated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling. Evaluating one of the potentially inhibitory signals, we indeed found in tissue culture experiments that PGE2 promoted the accumulation of Aund at the expense of Adiff and B spermatogonia. Our data suggest that an important aspect of Fsh bioactivity in stimulating spermatogenesis is implemented by restricting the different inhibitory effects of Amh and by counterbalancing them with stimulatory signals, such as Igf3.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D V S Morais
- Reproductive Biology Group (R.D.V.S.M., D.C., R.H.N., H.J.G.v.d.K., J.B., R.W.S.), Division of Developmental Biology, Institute for Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - D Crespo
- Reproductive Biology Group (R.D.V.S.M., D.C., R.H.N., H.J.G.v.d.K., J.B., R.W.S.), Division of Developmental Biology, Institute for Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R H Nóbrega
- Reproductive Biology Group (R.D.V.S.M., D.C., R.H.N., H.J.G.v.d.K., J.B., R.W.S.), Division of Developmental Biology, Institute for Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Morphology (R.H.N.), Institute of Bioscience, São Paulo State University, 18618-970 Botucatu, Brazil
| | - M S Lemos
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology (L.R.F., M.S.L.), Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - H J G van de Kant
- Reproductive Biology Group (R.D.V.S.M., D.C., R.H.N., H.J.G.v.d.K., J.B., R.W.S.), Division of Developmental Biology, Institute for Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L R de França
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology (L.R.F., M.S.L.), Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil; National Institute of Amazonian Research (L.R.F.), Manaus, Brazil
| | - R Male
- Department of Molecular Biology (R.M.), University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - J Bogerd
- Reproductive Biology Group (R.D.V.S.M., D.C., R.H.N., H.J.G.v.d.K., J.B., R.W.S.), Division of Developmental Biology, Institute for Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - R W Schulz
- Reproductive Biology Group (R.D.V.S.M., D.C., R.H.N., H.J.G.v.d.K., J.B., R.W.S.), Division of Developmental Biology, Institute for Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands; Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology (R.W.S.), Institute of Marine Research, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
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Kadariya I, Wang J, ur Rehman Z, Ali H, Riaz H, He J, Bhattarai D, Liu JJ, Zhang SJ. RNAi-mediated knockdown of inhibin α subunit increased apoptosis in granulosa cells and decreased fertility in mice. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 152:161-70. [PMID: 25998417 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Inhibin α (INHα), a member of TGFβ superfamily, is an important modulator of reproductive function that plays a vital role in follicular changes, cell differentiation, oocyte development, and ultimately in mammalian reproduction. However, the role of inhibin α in female fertility and ovarian function remains largely unknown. To define its role in reproduction, transgenic mice of RNAi-INHα that knock down the INHα expression by shRNAi were used. Inhibin α subunit gene was knocked down successfully at both transcriptional and translational levels by RNAi PiggyBac transposon (Pbi) mediated recombinant pshRNA vectors and purified DNA fragments were microinjected into mouse zygotes. Results showed that transgenic female mice were sub-fertile and exhibited 35.28% reduction in litter size in F1 generation relative to wild type. The decreased litter size associated with the reduction in the number of oocytes ovulated after puberty. Serum INHα level was significantly decreased in both 3 and 6 weeks; whereas, FSH was significantly increased in 3 weeks but not in 6 weeks. Furthermore, suppression of INHα expression significantly promoted apoptosis by up-regulating Caspase-3, bcl2, INHβB and GDF9 and down regulated Kitl and TGFβRIII genes both at transcriptional and translational levels. Moreover, it also dramatically reduced the progression of G1 phase of cell cycle and the number of cells in S phase as determined by flow cytometer. These results indicate that suppression of INHα expression in RNAi-transgenic mice leads to disruption of normal ovarian regulatory mechanism and causes reproductive deficiencies by promoting cellular apoptosis, arresting cellular progression and altering hormonal signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishwari Kadariya
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Zia ur Rehman
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Hamid Ali
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Hasan Riaz
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - JiuYa He
- MRC-Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Dinesh Bhattarai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Jia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu Jun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China.
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Oliveira PF, Martins AD, Moreira AC, Cheng CY, Alves MG. The Warburg effect revisited--lesson from the Sertoli cell. Med Res Rev 2014; 35:126-51. [PMID: 25043918 DOI: 10.1002/med.21325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Otto Warburg observed that cancerous cells prefer fermentative instead of oxidative metabolism of glucose, although the former is in theory less efficient. Since Warburg's pioneering works, special attention has been given to this difference in cell metabolism. The Warburg effect has been implicated in cell transformation, immortalization, and proliferation during tumorigenesis. Cancer cells display enhanced glycolytic activity, which is correlated with high proliferation, and thus, glycolysis appears to be an excellent candidate to target cancer cells. Nevertheless, little attention has been given to noncancerous cells that exhibit a "Warburg-like" metabolism with slight, but perhaps crucial, alterations that may provide new directions to develop new and effective anticancer therapies. Within the testis, the somatic Sertoli cell (SC) presents several common metabolic features analogous to cancer cells, and a clear "Warburg-like" metabolism. Nevertheless, SCs actively proliferate only during a specific time period, ceasing to divide in most species after puberty, when they become terminally differentiated. The special metabolic features of SC, as well as progression from the immature but proliferative state, to the mature nonproliferative state, where a high glycolytic activity is maintained, make these cells unique and a good model to discuss new perspectives on the Warburg effect. Herein we provide new insight on how the somatic SC may be a source of new and exciting information concerning the Warburg effect and cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro F Oliveira
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
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