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Peacey L, Peacey C, Gutzinger A, Jones CE. Copper(II) Binding by the Earliest Vertebrate Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, the Type II Isoform, Suggests an Ancient Role for the Metal. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21217900. [PMID: 33114333 PMCID: PMC7663483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrate reproductive biology copper can influence peptide and protein function both in the pituitary and in the gonads. In the pituitary, copper binds to the key reproductive peptides gonadotropin-releasing hormone I (GnRH-I) and neurokinin B, to modify their structure and function, and in the male gonads, copper plays a role in testosterone production, sperm morphology and, thus, fertility. In addition to GnRH-I, most vertebrates express a second isoform, GnRH-II. GnRH-II can promote testosterone release in some species and has other non-reproductive roles. The primary sequence of GnRH-II has remained largely invariant over millennia, and it is considered the ancestral GnRH peptide in vertebrates. In this work, we use a range of spectroscopic techniques to show that, like GnRH-I, GnRH-II can bind copper. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the proposed copper-binding ligands are retained in GnRH-II peptides from all vertebrates, suggesting that copper-binding is an ancient feature of GnRH peptides.
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Sun Y, Wang W, Guo Y, Zheng B, Li H, Chen J, Zhang W. High copper levels in follicular fluid affect follicle development in polycystic ovary syndrome patients: Population-based and in vitro studies. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 365:101-111. [PMID: 30641075 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Although the adverse effects of copper overexposure on the liver, kidney, spleen and intestinal organs are well known, information about the impact of copper toxicity on human reproduction is limited. A total of 348 infertile patients were enrolled in our present study, including 89 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 145 with fallopian tube obstruction and 114 controls. The follicular fluid concentrations of 22 trace elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Principal component analysis was used to identify trace element profile alterations in different groups. The mRNA levels of steroidogenesis-related genes were measured by real-time PCR. Our results showed that the trace element profile in follicular fluid was obviously altered in PCOS patients. Copper concentrations were significantly (p < .05) higher in the PCOS group than in the other two groups. Increased copper levels in follicular fluid were associated with a higher number of retrievable oocytes in the PCOS group (B = 1.785, p = .001) but a lower rate of high-quality embryos (B = -6.360, p = .050). Moreover, follicular fluid copper levels were positively correlated with follicular fluid progesterone levels (r = 0.275, p = .010) and testosterone levels (r = 0.250, p = .022). Cultured human granulosa cells overexposed to copper showed significantly (p < .05) increased estradiol secretion and decreased testosterone levels. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed a significant (p < .05) increase in CYP19A1 and HSD3b mRNA expression. Our results indicate that increased copper levels in follicular fluid could affect follicle development in PCOS patients, and the mechanism may be related to copper-induced abnormalities in steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Sun
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wenxiang Wang
- Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - Yiwei Guo
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Beihong Zheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jinfa Chen
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wenchang Zhang
- Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Environment and Cancer, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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