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Yang Y, Feng W, Zhou J, Zhang R, Lin X, Sooranna SR, Deng Y, Shi D. Epigenetic modifications of gonadotropin receptors can regulate follicular development. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 268:107534. [PMID: 39047429 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The spatiotemporal transcription of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) are crucial events for follicular development. However, their regulatory mechanisms are unclear. DNA methylation and histone acetylation are the main epigenetic modifications, and play important roles in transcriptional expression, which regulate cell responses including cell proliferation, senescence and apoptosis. This review will discuss the dynamic epigenetic modifications of FSHR and LHCGR that occur during the process of follicular development and their response to gonadotropins. In addition, some alteration patterns that occur during these epigenetic modifications, as well as their retrospect retrotransposons, which regulate the gene expression levels of FSHR and LHCGR will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Wanyou Feng
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530023, China
| | - Jinhua Zhou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ruimen Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xinyue Lin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Suren Rao Sooranna
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London SW10 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Yanfei Deng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Deshun Shi
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
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2
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Alonso CAI, David CD, Toufaily C, Wang Y, Zhou X, Ongaro L, Nudelman G, Nair VD, Ruf-Zamojski F, Boehm U, Sealfon SC, Bernard DJ. Activating Transcription Factor 3 Stimulates Follicle-Stimulating Hormone-β Expression In Vitro But Is Dispensable for Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Production in Murine Gonadotropes In Vivo. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad050. [PMID: 36951304 PMCID: PMC10282924 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad050] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a dimeric glycoprotein produced by pituitary gonadotrope cells, regulates spermatogenesis in males and ovarian follicle growth in females. Hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates FSHβ subunit gene (Fshb) transcription, though the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. To address this gap in knowledge, we examined changes in pituitary gene expression in GnRH-deficient mice (hpg) treated with a regimen of exogenous GnRH that increases pituitary Fshb but not luteinizing hormone β (Lhb) messenger RNA levels. Activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3) was among the most upregulated genes. Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) can heterodimerize with members of the activator protein 1 family to regulate gene transcription. Co-expression of ATF3 with JunB stimulated murine Fshb, but not Lhb, promoter-reporter activity in homologous LβT2b cells. ATF3 also synergized with a constitutively active activin type I receptor to increase endogenous Fshb expression in these cells. Nevertheless, FSH production was intact in gonadotrope-specific Atf3 knockout [conditional knockout (cKO)] mice. Ovarian follicle development, ovulation, and litter sizes were equivalent between cKOs and controls. Testis weights and sperm counts did not differ between genotypes. Following gonadectomy, increases in LH secretion were enhanced in cKO animals. Though FSH levels did not differ between genotypes, post-gonadectomy increases in pituitary Fshb and gonadotropin α subunit expression were more pronounced in cKO than control mice. These data indicate that ATF3 can selectively stimulate Fshb expression in vitro but is not required for FSH production in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A I Alonso
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Caroline D David
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Chirine Toufaily
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - German Nudelman
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assay, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Venugopalan D Nair
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assay, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Frederique Ruf-Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assay, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Stuart C Sealfon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assay, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
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3
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Brûlé E, Silander TL, Wang Y, Zhou X, Bak B, Groeneweg S, Bernard DJ. IGSF1 Deficiency Leads to Reduced TSH Production Independent of Alterations in Thyroid Hormone Action in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6609251. [PMID: 35708735 PMCID: PMC9258739 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Loss of function mutations in IGSF1/Igsf1 cause central hypothyroidism. Igsf1 knockout mice have reduced pituitary thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor, Trhr, expression, perhaps contributing to the phenotype. Because thyroid hormones negatively regulate Trhr, we hypothesized that IGSF1 might affect thyroid hormone availability in pituitary thyrotropes. Consistent with this idea, IGSF1 coimmunoprecipitated with the thyroid hormone transporter monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) in transfected cells. This association was impaired with IGSF1 bearing patient-derived mutations. Wild-type IGSF1 did not, however, alter MCT8-mediated thyroid hormone import into heterologous cells. IGSF1 and MCT8 are both expressed in the apical membrane of the choroid plexus. However, MCT8 protein levels and localization in the choroid plexus were unaltered in Igsf1 knockout mice, ruling out a necessary chaperone function for IGSF1. MCT8 expression was low in the pituitary and was similarly unaffected in Igsf1 knockouts. We next assessed whether IGSF1 affects thyroid hormone transport or action, by MCT8 or otherwise, in vivo. To this end, we treated hypothyroid wild-type and Igsf1 knockout mice with exogenous thyroid hormones. T4 and T3 inhibited TSH release and regulated pituitary and forebrain gene expression similarly in both genotypes. Interestingly, pituitary TSH beta subunit (Tshb) expression was consistently reduced in Igsf1 knockouts relative to wild-type regardless of experimental condition, whereas Trhr was more variably affected. Although IGSF1 and MCT8 can interact in heterologous cells, the physiological relevance of their association is not clear. Nevertheless, the results suggest that IGSF1 loss can impair TSH production independently of alterations in TRHR levels or thyroid hormone action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Brûlé
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Tanya L Silander
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Beata Bak
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Stefan Groeneweg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Correspondence: Daniel J. Bernard, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Prom. Sir William Osler, Room 1320, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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Schang G, Ongaro L, Brûlé E, Zhou X, Wang Y, Boehm U, Ruf-Zamojski F, Zamojski M, Mendelev N, Seenarine N, Amper MA, Nair V, Ge Y, Sealfon SC, Bernard DJ. Transcription factor GATA2 may potentiate follicle-stimulating hormone production in mice via induction of the BMP antagonist gremlin in gonadotrope cells. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102072. [PMID: 35643321 PMCID: PMC9251782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian reproduction depends on the gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone, which are secreted by pituitary gonadotrope cells. The zinc-finger transcription factor GATA2 was previously implicated in FSH production in male mice; however, its mechanisms of action and role in females were not determined. To directly address GATA2 function in gonadotropes, we generated and analyzed gonadotrope-specific Gata2 KO mice using the Cre-lox system. We found that while conditional KO (cKO) males exhibited ∼50% reductions in serum FSH levels and pituitary FSHβ subunit (Fshb) expression relative to controls, FSH production was apparently normal in cKO females. In addition, RNA-seq analysis of purified gonadotropes from control and cKO males revealed a profound decrease in expression of gremlin (Grem1), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist. We show Grem1 was expressed in gonadotropes, but not other cell lineages, in the adult male mouse pituitary. Furthermore, Gata2, Grem1, and Fshb mRNA levels were significantly higher in the pituitaries of WT males relative to females but decreased in males treated with estradiol and increased following ovariectomy in control but not cKO females. Finally, we found that recombinant gremlin stimulated Fshb expression in pituitary cultures from WT mice. Collectively, the data suggest that GATA2 promotes Grem1 expression in gonadotropes and that the gremlin protein potentiates FSH production. The mechanisms of gremlin action have not yet been established but may involve attenuation of BMP binding to activin type II receptors in gonadotropes, facilitating induction of Fshb transcription by activins or related ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Emilie Brûlé
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Frederique Ruf-Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michel Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Natalia Mendelev
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nitish Seenarine
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mary Anne Amper
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Venugopalan Nair
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yongchao Ge
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stuart C Sealfon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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5
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Wang HQ, Zhang JB, Zheng Y, Zhang WD, Guo HX, Cong S, Ding Y, Yuan B. Comprehensive analysis of differences in N6-methyladenosine RNA methylomes in the rat adenohypophysis after GnRH treatment. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22204. [PMID: 35147984 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101608r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine is considered to be the most common and abundant internal chemical modification among the more than 150 identified chemical RNA modifications. It is involved in most biological processes and actively participates in the regulation of animal reproduction. However, the potential function of m6 A in the pituitaries of mammals is not yet clear. It is also unknown whether m6 A is involved in the secretion and regulation of FSH by GnRH, which in turn affects mammalian reproduction. In this study, rats were treated with gonadorelin to simulate physiological GnRH-mediated regulation of FSH synthesis and secretion, and m6 A-seq was used to analyze the differential m6 A modification of the rat pituitary after gonadorelin treatment. A whole-transcriptome map of m6 A in the rat pituitary gland before and after gonadorelin treatment was successfully created. A total of 6413 differential peaks were identified, of which 3764 m6 A peaks were upregulated and 2649 m6 A peaks were downregulated. Among the 709 differentially expressed genes, 250 genes were discovered with differential methylation modifications. Intriguingly, the altered m6 A peaks within mRNAs were enriched in steroid biosynthetic processes and responses to cAMP. The results of the study will lay a foundation for further exploration of the potential role of m6 A modification in the regulation of reproductive hormone secretion and provide a theoretical basis for the application of GnRH analogs in mammalian artificial reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Qi Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Bao Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Wei-Di Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Xiang Guo
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Cong
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Yu Ding
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Bao Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
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Pnueli L, Shalev D, Refael T, David C, Boehm U, Melamed P. Proliferating primary pituitary cells as a model for studying regulation of gonadotrope chromatin and gene expression. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 533:111349. [PMID: 34090968 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The chromatin organization of the gonadotropin gene promoters in the pituitary gonadotropes plays a major role in determining how these gene are activated, but is difficult to study because of the low numbers of these cells in the pituitary gland. Here, we set out to create a cell model to study gonadotropin chromatin, and found that by optimizing cell culture conditions, we can maintain stable proliferating cultures of primary non-transformed gonadotrope cells over weeks to months. Although expression of the gonadotropin genes drops very low, these cells are enriched in gonadotrope markers and respond to GnRH. Furthermore, >85% of the cells contained Lhb and/or Fshb mature transcripts; though these were virtually restricted to the nuclei. The gonadotropes were harvested initially due to expression of dTOMATO, following activation of Cre recombinase by the Gnrhr promoter. Over 6 mo in culture, a similar proportion of the recombined DNA was maintained (i.e. cells derived from the original gonadotropes or having acquired Gnrhr-promoter activity), together with cells of a distinct origin. The cells are enriched with markers of proliferating pituitary and stem cells, including Sox2, suggesting that multipotent precursor cells might have proliferated and differentiated into gonadotrope-like cells. These cell cultures offer a new and versatile methodology for research in gonadotrope differentiation and function, and can provide enough primary cells for chromatin immunoprecipitation and epigenetic analysis, while our initial studies also indicate a possible regulatory mechanism that might be involved in the nuclear export of gonadotropin gene mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilach Pnueli
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Dor Shalev
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Tal Refael
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Cfir David
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Philippa Melamed
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel.
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Brûlé E, Heinen CA, Smith CL, Schang G, Li Y, Zhou X, Wang Y, Joustra SD, Wit JM, Fliers E, Repping S, van Trotsenburg ASP, Bernard DJ. IGSF1 Does Not Regulate Spermatogenesis or Modify FSH Synthesis in Response to Inhibins or Activins. J Endocr Soc 2021; 5:bvab023. [PMID: 33796801 PMCID: PMC7986638 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvab023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked immunoglobulin superfamily, member 1 (IGSF1) gene result in central hypothyroidism, often associated with macroorchidism. Testicular enlargement in these patients might be caused by increases in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, as IGSF1 has been proposed to function as an inhibin B receptor or as an inhibitor of activin type I receptor (ALK4) activity in pituitary gonadotrope cells. If true, loss of IGSF1 should lead to reduced inhibin B action or disinhibition of activin signaling, thereby increasing FSH synthesis. Here, we show that FSH levels and sperm counts are normal in male Igsf1 knockout mice, although testis size is mildly increased. Sperm parameters are also normal in men with IGSF1 deficiency, although their FSH levels may trend higher and their testes are enlarged. Inhibin B retains the ability to suppress FSH synthesis in pituitaries of Igsf1-knockout mice and IGSF1 does not interact with ALK4 or alter activin A/ALK4 stimulation of FSHβ (Fshb/FSHB) subunit transcription or expression. In light of these results, it is unlikely that macroorchidism in IGSF1 deficiency derives from alterations in spermatogenesis or inhibin/activin regulation of FSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Brûlé
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Charlotte A Heinen
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Courtney L Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Yining Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Sjoerd D Joustra
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan M Wit
- Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Fliers
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd Repping
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A S Paul van Trotsenburg
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C7, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
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8
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Schang G, Ongaro L, Schultz H, Wang Y, Zhou X, Brûlé E, Boehm U, Lee SJ, Bernard DJ. Murine FSH Production Depends on the Activin Type II Receptors ACVR2A and ACVR2B. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5818077. [PMID: 32270195 PMCID: PMC7286621 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Activins are selective regulators of FSH production by pituitary gonadotrope cells. In a gonadotrope-like cell line, LβT2, activins stimulate FSH via the activin type IIA receptor (ACVR2A) and/or bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor (BMPR2). Consistent with these observations, FSH is greatly reduced, though still present, in global Acvr2a knockout mice. In contrast, FSH production is unaltered in gonadotrope-specific Bmpr2 knockout mice. In light of these results, we questioned whether an additional type II receptor might mediate the actions of activins or related TGF-β ligands in gonadotropes. We focused on the activin type IIB receptor (ACVR2B), even though it does not mediate activin actions in LβT2 cells. Using a Cre-lox strategy, we ablated Acvr2a and/or Acvr2b in murine gonadotropes. The resulting conditional knockout (cKO) animals were compared with littermate controls. Acvr2a cKO (cKO-A) females were subfertile (~70% reduced litter size), cKO-A males were hypogonadal, and both sexes showed marked decreases in serum FSH levels compared with controls. Acvr2b cKO (cKO-B) females were subfertile (~20% reduced litter size), cKO-B males had a moderate decrease in testicular weight, but only males showed a significant decrease in serum FSH levels relative to controls. Simultaneous deletion of both Acvr2a and Acvr2b in gonadotropes led to profound hypogonadism and FSH deficiency in both sexes; females were acyclic and sterile. Collectively, these data demonstrate that ACVR2A and ACVR2B are the critical type II receptors through which activins or related TGF-β ligands induce FSH production in mice in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Hailey Schultz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Emilie Brûlé
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Se-Jin Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory, Farmington, Connecticut
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Correspondence: Daniel J. Bernard, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler room 1320, Montreal H3G 1Y6, QC, Canada. E-mail:
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