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Soliman HK, Coughlan JM. United by Conflict: Convergent Signatures of Parental Conflict in Angiosperms and Placental Mammals. J Hered 2024:esae009. [PMID: 38366852 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Endosperm in angiosperms and placenta in eutherians are convergent innovations for efficient embryonic nutrient transfer. Despite advantages, this reproductive strategy incurs metabolic costs that maternal parents disproportionately shoulder, leading to potential inter-parental conflict over optimal offspring investment. Genomic imprinting-parent-of-origin-biased gene expression-is fundamental for endosperm and placenta development and has convergently evolved in angiosperms and mammals, in part, to resolve parental conflict. Here, we review the mechanisms of genomic imprinting in these taxa. Despite differences in the timing and spatial extent of imprinting, these taxa exhibit remarkable convergence in the molecular machinery and genes governing imprinting. We then assess the role of parental conflict in shaping evolution within angiosperms and eutherians using four criteria: (1) Do differences in the extent of sibling relatedness cause differences in the inferred strength of parental conflict? (2) Do reciprocal crosses between taxa with different inferred histories of parental conflict exhibit parent-of-origin growth effects? (3) Are these parent-of-origin growth effects caused by dosage-sensitive mechanisms and do these loci exhibit signals of positive selection? (4) Can normal development be restored by genomic perturbations that restore stoichiometric balance in the endosperm/placenta? Although we find evidence for all criteria in angiosperms and eutherians, suggesting that parental conflict may help shape their evolution, many questions remain. Additionally, myriad differences between the two taxa suggest that their respective biologies may shape how/when/where/to what extent parental conflict manifests. Lastly, we discuss outstanding questions, highlighting the power of comparative work in quantifying the role of parental conflict in evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagar K Soliman
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, United States
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| | - Jenn M Coughlan
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, United States
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Yang W, Zuo Y, Zhang N, Wang K, Zhang R, Chen Z, He Q. GNAS locus: bone related diseases and mouse models. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1255864. [PMID: 37920253 PMCID: PMC10619756 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1255864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
GNASis a complex locus characterized by multiple transcripts and an imprinting effect. It orchestrates a variety of physiological processes via numerous signaling pathways. Human diseases associated with the GNAS gene encompass fibrous dysplasia (FD), Albright's Hereditary Osteodystrophy (AHO), parathyroid hormone(PTH) resistance, and Progressive Osseous Heteroplasia (POH), among others. To facilitate the study of the GNAS locus and its associated diseases, researchers have developed a range of mouse models. In this review, we will systematically explore the GNAS locus, its related signaling pathways, the bone diseases associated with it, and the mouse models pertinent to these bone diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiyi Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Nuo Zhang
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kangning Wang
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Runze Zhang
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziyi Chen
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing He
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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3
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Van de Pette M, Dimond A, Galvão AM, Millership SJ, To W, Prodani C, McNamara G, Bruno L, Sardini A, Webster Z, McGinty J, French PMW, Uren AG, Castillo-Fernandez J, Watkinson W, Ferguson-Smith AC, Merkenschlager M, John RM, Kelsey G, Fisher AG. Epigenetic changes induced by in utero dietary challenge result in phenotypic variability in successive generations of mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2464. [PMID: 35513363 PMCID: PMC9072353 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30022-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of epigenetic information between generations occurs in nematodes, flies and plants, mediated by specialised small RNA pathways, modified histones and DNA methylation. Similar processes in mammals can also affect phenotype through intergenerational or trans-generational mechanisms. Here we generate a luciferase knock-in reporter mouse for the imprinted Dlk1 locus to visualise and track epigenetic fidelity across generations. Exposure to high-fat diet in pregnancy provokes sustained re-expression of the normally silent maternal Dlk1 in offspring (loss of imprinting) and increased DNA methylation at the somatic differentially methylated region (sDMR). In the next generation heterogeneous Dlk1 mis-expression is seen exclusively among animals born to F1-exposed females. Oocytes from these females show altered gene and microRNA expression without changes in DNA methylation, and correct imprinting is restored in subsequent generations. Our results illustrate how diet impacts the foetal epigenome, disturbing canonical and non-canonical imprinting mechanisms to modulate the properties of successive generations of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Van de Pette
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Andrew Dimond
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - António M Galvão
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of PAS, Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Olsztyn, Poland
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Steven J Millership
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Wilson To
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Chiara Prodani
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Gráinne McNamara
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ludovica Bruno
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alessandro Sardini
- Whole Animal Physiology and Imaging, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Zoe Webster
- Transgenics and Embryonic Stem Cell Laboratory, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - James McGinty
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Paul M W French
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Anthony G Uren
- Cancer Genomics Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - William Watkinson
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Matthias Merkenschlager
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Rosalind M John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Amanda G Fisher
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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Kaneko-Ishino T, Ishino F. The Evolutionary Advantage in Mammals of the Complementary Monoallelic Expression Mechanism of Genomic Imprinting and Its Emergence From a Defense Against the Insertion Into the Host Genome. Front Genet 2022; 13:832983. [PMID: 35309133 PMCID: PMC8928582 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.832983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In viviparous mammals, genomic imprinting regulates parent-of-origin-specific monoallelic expression of paternally and maternally expressed imprinted genes (PEGs and MEGs) in a region-specific manner. It plays an essential role in mammalian development: aberrant imprinting regulation causes a variety of developmental defects, including fetal, neonatal, and postnatal lethality as well as growth abnormalities. Mechanistically, PEGs and MEGs are reciprocally regulated by DNA methylation of germ-line differentially methylated regions (gDMRs), thereby exhibiting eliciting complementary expression from parental genomes. The fact that most gDMR sequences are derived from insertion events provides strong support for the claim that genomic imprinting emerged as a host defense mechanism against the insertion in the genome. Recent studies on the molecular mechanisms concerning how the DNA methylation marks on the gDMRs are established in gametes and maintained in the pre- and postimplantation periods have further revealed the close relationship between genomic imprinting and invading DNA, such as retroviruses and LTR retrotransposons. In the presence of gDMRs, the monoallelic expression of PEGs and MEGs confers an apparent advantage by the functional compensation that takes place between the two parental genomes. Thus, it is likely that genomic imprinting is a consequence of an evolutionary trade-off for improved survival. In addition, novel genes were introduced into the mammalian genome via this same surprising and complex process as imprinted genes, such as the genes acquired from retroviruses as well as those that were duplicated by retropositioning. Importantly, these genes play essential/important roles in the current eutherian developmental system, such as that in the placenta and/or brain. Thus, genomic imprinting has played a critically important role in the evolutionary emergence of mammals, not only by providing a means to escape from the adverse effects of invading DNA with sequences corresponding to the gDMRs, but also by the acquisition of novel functions in development, growth and behavior via the mechanism of complementary monoallelic expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Kaneko-Ishino
- School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara, Japan
- *Correspondence: Tomoko Kaneko-Ishino, ; Fumitoshi Ishino,
| | - Fumitoshi Ishino
- Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Tomoko Kaneko-Ishino, ; Fumitoshi Ishino,
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Maternal Uniparental Disomy of Chromosome 20 (UPD(20)mat) as Differential Diagnosis of Silver Russell Syndrome: Identification of Three New Cases. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040588. [PMID: 33920573 PMCID: PMC8073552 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Silver Russell Syndrome (SRS, MIM #180860) is a rare growth retardation disorder in which clinical diagnosis is based on six features: pre- and postnatal growth failure, relative macrocephaly, prominent forehead, body asymmetry, and feeding difficulties (Netchine–Harbison clinical scoring system (NH-CSS)). The molecular mechanisms consist in (epi)genetic deregulations at multiple loci: the loss of methylation (LOM) at the paternal H19/IGF2:IG-DMR (chr11p15.5) (50%) and the maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 7 (UPD(7)mat) (10%) are the most frequent causes. Thus far, about 40% of SRS remains undiagnosed, pointing to the need to define the rare mechanisms in such a consistent fraction of unsolved patients. Within a cohort of 176 SRS with an NH-CSS ≥ 3, a molecular diagnosis was disclosed in about 45%. Among the remaining patients, we identified in 3 probands (1.7%) with UPD(20)mat (Mulchandani–Bhoj–Conlin syndrome, OMIM #617352), a molecular mechanism deregulating the GNAS locus and described in 21 cases, characterized by severe feeding difficulties associated with failure to thrive, preterm birth, and intrauterine/postnatal growth retardation. Our patients share prominent forehead, feeding difficulties, postnatal growth delay, and advanced maternal age. Their clinical assessment and molecular diagnostic flowchart contribute to better define the characteristics of this rare imprinting disorder and to rank UPD(20)mat as the fourth most common pathogenic molecular defect causative of SRS.
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Kawashima S, Nakamura A, Inoue T, Matsubara K, Horikawa R, Wakui K, Takano K, Fukushima Y, Tatematsu T, Mizuno S, Tsubaki J, Kure S, Matsubara Y, Ogata T, Fukami M, Kagami M. Maternal Uniparental Disomy for Chromosome 20: Physical and Endocrinological Characteristics of Five Patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018; 103:2083-2088. [PMID: 29878129 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-02780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 20 [UPD(20)mat], resulting in aberrant expression of imprinted transcripts at the GNAS locus, is a poorly characterized condition. These patients manifested a phenotype similar to that of Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) and small for gestational age-short stature (SGA-SS); however, the etiological relationship between UPD(20)mat and SRS/SGA-SS remains unclear. Moreover, no report has described endocrinological assessment of UPD(20)mat patients, although paternal UPD(20), the mirror image entity of UPD(20)mat, is known to cause multiple hormone resistance reflecting reduced α-subunit of the stimulatory G protein expression. PARTICIPANTS Patients 1 to 5 showed nonmosaic heterodisomy and/or isodisomy for the entire chromosome 20. Patients 1 to 3 and 4 were identified through UPD(20)mat screening for 55 patients with etiology-unknown SRS and 96 patients with SGA-SS, respectively. Patient 5 was identified through molecular analysis for patients with developmental defects. Patients 1 to 5 manifested postnatal growth failure and feeding problems, with or without developmental delay, and other clinical features. Patients 1 to 4 were born SGA. Patients 4 and 5 exhibited hypercalcemia and low or low-normal parathyroid hormone levels. Patient 1 showed constantly decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels after 12 years of age, although she had a normal TSH level at 5.2 years of age. CONCLUSION The results suggest that UPD(20)mat underlies growth failure and feeding problems with additional features and could account for >5% of etiology-unknown SRS and small percentages of SGA-SS. Most important, this study provides an indication that UPD(20)mat can be associated with hypersensitivity of hormone receptors, which may gradually develop with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Kawashima
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Akie Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takanobu Inoue
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Matsubara
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Reiko Horikawa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Wakui
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
| | - Kyoko Takano
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
| | - Yoshimitsu Fukushima
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
| | - Toshi Tatematsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital, Aichi Human Service Center, Aichi, Japan
| | - Seiji Mizuno
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital, Aichi Human Service Center, Aichi, Japan
| | - Junko Tsubaki
- Department of Pediatrics, Japan Community Health Care Organization Hokkaido Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shigeo Kure
- Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yoichi Matsubara
- National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Ogata
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Maki Fukami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayo Kagami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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Perez JD, Rubinstein ND, Dulac C. New Perspectives on Genomic Imprinting, an Essential and Multifaceted Mode of Epigenetic Control in the Developing and Adult Brain. Annu Rev Neurosci 2016; 39:347-84. [PMID: 27145912 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-061010-113708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian evolution entailed multiple innovations in gene regulation, including the emergence of genomic imprinting, an epigenetic regulation leading to the preferential expression of a gene from its maternal or paternal allele. Genomic imprinting is highly prevalent in the brain, yet, until recently, its central roles in neural processes have not been fully appreciated. Here, we provide a comprehensive survey of adult and developmental brain functions influenced by imprinted genes, from neural development and wiring to synaptic function and plasticity, energy balance, social behaviors, emotions, and cognition. We further review the widespread identification of parental biases alongside monoallelic expression in brain tissues, discuss their potential roles in dosage regulation of key neural pathways, and suggest possible mechanisms underlying the dynamic regulation of imprinting in the brain. This review should help provide a better understanding of the significance of genomic imprinting in the normal and pathological brain of mammals including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio D Perez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138;
| | - Nimrod D Rubinstein
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138;
| | - Catherine Dulac
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138;
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Tibbit CJ, Williamson CM, Mehta S, Ball ST, Chotalia M, Nottingham WT, Eaton SA, Quwailid MM, Teboul L, Kelsey G, Peters J. Antisense Activity across the Nesp Promoter is Required for Nespas-Mediated Silencing in the Imprinted Gnas Cluster. Noncoding RNA 2015; 1:246-265. [PMID: 29861426 PMCID: PMC5932550 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna1030246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Macro long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play major roles in gene silencing in inprinted gene clusters. Within the imprinted Gnas cluster, the paternally expressed Nespas lncRNA downregulates its sense counterpart Nesp. To explore the mechanism of action of Nespas, we generated two new knock-in alleles to truncate Nespas upstream and downstream of the Nesp promoter. We show that Nespas is essential for methylation of the Nesp differentially methylated region (DMR), but higher levels of Nespas are required for methylation than are needed for downregulation of Nesp. Although Nespas is transcribed for over 27 kb, only Nespas transcript/transcription across a 2.6 kb region that includes the Nesp promoter is necessary for methylation of the Nesp DMR. In both mutants, the levels of Nespas were extraordinarily high, due at least in part to increased stability, an effect not seen with other imprinted lncRNAs. However, even when levels were greatly raised, Nespas remained exclusively cis-acting. We propose Nespas regulates Nesp methylation and expression to ensure appropriate levels of expression of the protein coding transcripts Gnasxl and Gnas on the paternal chromosome. Thus, Nespas mediates paternal gene expression over the entire Gnas cluster via a single gene, Nesp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte J Tibbit
- MRC Harwell, Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
- Current address: MRC Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics, Le Gros Clark Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX13QX, UK.
| | - Christine M Williamson
- MRC Harwell, Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
- Current Address: MRC Harwell, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
| | - Stuti Mehta
- MRC Harwell, Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
- Current address: GI Division, Their 340, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Simon T Ball
- MRC Harwell, Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
- Current address: Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
| | - Mita Chotalia
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB223AT, UK.
- Current address: Genome Function Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W120NN, UK.
| | - Wade T Nottingham
- MRC Harwell, Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
- Current address: West London Free School, 2 Bridge Avenue, Hammersmith, London W69JP, UK.
| | - Sally A Eaton
- MRC Harwell, Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
- Current address: Molecular, Structural and Computational Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia.
| | - Mohamed M Quwailid
- MRC Harwell, Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
| | - Lydia Teboul
- Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB223AT, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB23EG, UK.
| | - Jo Peters
- MRC Harwell, Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK.
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Bréhin AC, Colson C, Maupetit-Méhouas S, Grybek V, Richard N, Linglart A, Kottler ML, Jüppner H. Loss of methylation at GNAS exon A/B is associated with increased intrauterine growth. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 100:E623-31. [PMID: 25603460 PMCID: PMC4399294 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2014-4047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT GNAS is one of few genetic loci that undergo allelic-specific methylation resulting in the parent-specific expression of at least four different transcripts. Due to monoallelic expression, heterozygous GNAS mutations affecting either paternally or maternally derived transcripts cause different forms of pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP), including autosomal-dominant PHP type Ib (AD-PHP1B) associated with loss of methylation (LOM) at exon A/B alone or sporadic PHP1B (sporPHP1B) associated with broad GNAS methylation changes. Similar to effects other imprinted genes have on early development, we recently observed severe intrauterine growth retardation in newborns, later diagnosed with pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (PPHP) because of paternal GNAS loss-of-function mutations. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine whether GNAS methylation abnormalities affect intrauterine growth. PATIENTS AND METHODS Birth parameters were collected of patients who later developed sporPHP1B or AD-PHP1B, and of their healthy siblings. Comparisons were made to newborns affected by PPHP or PHP1A. RESULTS As newborns, AD-PHP1B patients were bigger than their healthy siblings and well above the reference average; increased sizes were particularly evident if the mothers were unaffected carriers of STX16 deletions. SporPHP1B newborns were slightly above average for weight and length, but their overgrowth was less pronounced than that of AD-PHP1B newborns from unaffected mothers. CONCLUSION LOM at GNAS exon A/B due to maternal STX16 deletions and the resulting biallelic A/B expression are associated with enhanced fetal growth. These findings are distinctly different from those of PPHP patients with paternal GNAS exons 2-13 mutations, whose birth parameters are almost 4.5 z-scores below those of AD-PHP1B patients born to healthy mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Claire Bréhin
- Department of Genetics (A.-C.B., C.C., N.R., M.-L.K.), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, Reference Centre for Rare Disorders of Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism, F-14000 Caen, France; Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (S.M.-M., V.G., A.L.), Reference Centre for Rare Disorders of the Mineral Metabolism, AP-HP Hôpital Bicêtre, le Kremlin-Bicêtre 94270, France; Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Sud, le Kremlin-Bicêtre 94270, France; and Pediatric Nephrology Unit and Endocrine Unit (H.J.), Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
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10
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Mehta S, Williamson CM, Ball S, Tibbit C, Beechey C, Fray M, Peters J. Transcription driven somatic DNA methylation within the imprinted Gnas cluster. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117378. [PMID: 25659103 PMCID: PMC4319783 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential marking of genes in female and male gametes by DNA methylation is essential to genomic imprinting. In female gametes transcription traversing differentially methylated regions (DMRs) is a common requirement for de novo methylation at DMRs. At the imprinted Gnas cluster oocyte specific transcription of a protein-coding transcript, Nesp, is needed for methylation of two DMRs intragenic to Nesp, namely the Nespas-Gnasxl DMR and the Exon1A DMR, thereby enabling expression of the Gnas transcript and repression of the Gnasxl transcript. On the paternal allele, Nesp is repressed, the germline DMRs are unmethylated, Gnas is repressed and Gnasxl is expressed. Using mutant mouse models, we show that on the paternal allele, ectopic transcription of Nesp traversing the intragenic Exon1A DMR (which regulates Gnas expression) results in de novo methylation of the Exon1A DMR and de-repression of Gnas just as on the maternal allele. However, unlike the maternal allele, methylation on the mutant paternal allele occurs post-fertilisation, i.e. in somatic cells. This, to our knowledge is the first example of transcript/transcription driven DNA methylation of an intragenic CpG island, in somatic tissues, suggesting that transcription driven de novo methylation is not restricted to the germline in the mouse. Additionally, Gnasxl is repressed on a paternal chromosome on which Nesp is ectopically expressed. Thus, a paternally inherited Gnas cluster showing ectopic expression of Nesp is “maternalised” in terms of Gnasxl and Gnas expression. We show that these mice have a phenotype similar to mutants with two expressed doses of Gnas and none of Gnasxl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuti Mehta
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Christine M. Williamson
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Ball
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Tibbit
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Beechey
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Fray
- Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, United Kingdom
| | - Jo Peters
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, United Kingdom
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Madon-Simon M, Cowley M, Garfield AS, Moorwood K, Bauer SR, Ward A. Antagonistic roles in fetal development and adult physiology for the oppositely imprinted Grb10 and Dlk1 genes. BMC Biol 2014; 12:771. [PMID: 25551289 PMCID: PMC4280702 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-014-0099-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite being a fundamental biological problem the control of body size and proportions during development remains poorly understood, although it is accepted that the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway has a central role in growth regulation, probably in all animals. The involvement of imprinted genes has also attracted much attention, not least because two of the earliest discovered were shown to be oppositely imprinted and antagonistic in their regulation of growth. The Igf2 gene encodes a paternally expressed ligand that promotes growth, while maternally expressed Igf2r encodes a cell surface receptor that restricts growth by sequestering Igf2 and targeting it for lysosomal degradation. There are now over 150 imprinted genes known in mammals, but no other clear examples of antagonistic gene pairs have been identified. The delta-like 1 gene (Dlk1) encodes a putative ligand that promotes fetal growth and in adults restricts adipose deposition. Conversely, Grb10 encodes an intracellular signalling adaptor protein that, when expressed from the maternal allele, acts to restrict fetal growth and is permissive for adipose deposition in adulthood. Results Here, using knockout mice, we present genetic and physiological evidence that these two factors exert their opposite effects on growth and physiology through a common signalling pathway. The major effects are on body size (particularly growth during early life), lean:adipose proportions, glucose regulated metabolism and lipid storage in the liver. A biochemical pathway linking the two cell signalling factors remains to be defined. Conclusions We propose that Dlk1 and Grb10 define a mammalian growth axis that is separate from the IGF pathway, yet also features an antagonistic imprinted gene pair. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-014-0099-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew Ward
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry and Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Bath, Building 4 South, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
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Congras A, Yerle-Bouissou M, Pinton A, Vignoles F, Liaubet L, Ferchaud S, Acloque H. Sperm DNA methylation analysis in swine reveals conserved and species-specific methylation patterns and highlights an altered methylation at the GNAS locus in infertile boars. Biol Reprod 2014; 91:137. [PMID: 25320151 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.119610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is an increasing health issue in today's society for both human and livestock populations. In livestock, male infertility slows the improvement of animal selection programs and agricultural productivity. There is increasing evidence that epigenetic marks play an important role in the production of good-quality sperm. We therefore screened for specific or common epigenetic signatures of livestock infertility. To do so, we compared DNA methylation level in sperm DNA from fertile and infertile boars. We evaluated first the global level of sperm DNA methylation and found no difference between the two groups of boars. We then selected 42 loci of interest, most of them known to be imprinted in human or mice, and assessed the imprinting status of five of them not previously described in swine tissues: WT1, CNTN3, IMPACT, QPCT, and GRB10. DNA methylation level was then quantified in fertile and infertile boars at these 42 loci. Results from fertile boars indicated that the methylation level of the selected loci is highly conserved between pig, human, and mice, with a few exceptions, including the POU5F1 (OCT4) promoter and RTL1. Comparison between fertile and infertile boars revealed that one imprinted region, the GNAS locus, shows an increase in sperm DNA methylation in three out of eight infertile boars with low semen quality. This increase in DNA methylation is associated with an altered expression of the genes belonging to the GNAS locus, suggesting a new role for GNAS in the proper formation of functional gametes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle Congras
- INRA, UMR1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, GenPhySE, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Martine Yerle-Bouissou
- INRA, UMR1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, GenPhySE, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Alain Pinton
- Université de Toulouse INPT ENVT, UMR1388 Génétique Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage GenPhySE, Toulouse, France
| | - Florence Vignoles
- INRA, UMR1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, GenPhySE, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Laurence Liaubet
- INRA, UMR1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, GenPhySE, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Stéphane Ferchaud
- UE1372 GenESI Génétique, Expérimentation et Système Innovants, Surgères, France
| | - Hervé Acloque
- INRA, UMR1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, GenPhySE, Castanet-Tolosan, France
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Peters J. The role of genomic imprinting in biology and disease: an expanding view. Nat Rev Genet 2014; 15:517-30. [PMID: 24958438 DOI: 10.1038/nrg3766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 288] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon that results in monoallelic gene expression according to parental origin. It has long been established that imprinted genes have major effects on development and placental biology before birth. More recently, it has become evident that imprinted genes also have important roles after birth. In this Review, I bring together studies of the effects of imprinted genes from the prenatal period onwards. Recent work on postnatal stages shows that imprinted genes influence an extraordinarily wide-ranging array of biological processes, the effects of which extend into adulthood, and play important parts in common diseases that range from obesity to psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Peters
- Medical Research Council Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
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