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Cao J, El Mansouri F, Reynoso S, Liu Z, Zhu J, Taketo T. Inefficient Sox9 upregulation and absence of Rspo1 repression lead to sex reversal in the B6.XYTIR mouse gonad†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:985-999. [PMID: 38376238 PMCID: PMC11094394 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Sry on the Y-chromosome upregulates Sox9, which in turn upregulates a set of genes such as Fgf9 to initiate testicular differentiation in the XY gonad. In the absence of Sry expression, genes such as Rspo1, Foxl2, and Runx1 support ovarian differentiation in the XX gonad. These two pathways antagonize each other to ensure the development of only one gonadal sex in normal development. In the B6.YTIR mouse, carrying the YTIR-chromosome on the B6 genetic background, Sry is expressed in a comparable manner with that in the B6.XY mouse, yet, only ovaries or ovotestes develop. We asked how testicular and ovarian differentiation pathways interact to determine the gonadal sex in the B6.YTIR mouse. Our results showed that (1) transcript levels of Sox9 were much lower than in B6.XY gonads while those of Rspo1 and Runx1 were as high as B6.XX gonads at 11.5 and 12.5 days postcoitum. (2) FOXL2-positive cells appeared in mosaic with SOX9-positive cells at 12.5 days postcoitum. (3) SOX9-positive cells formed testis cords in the central area while those disappeared to leave only FOXL2-positive cells in the poles or the entire area at 13.5 days postcoitum. (4) No difference was found at transcript levels of all genes between the left and right gonads up to 12.5 days postcoitum, although ovotestes developed much more frequently on the left than the right at 13.5 days postcoitum. These results suggest that inefficient Sox9 upregulation and the absence of Rspo1 repression prevent testicular differentiation in the B6.YTIR gonad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangqin Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Guangling College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fatima El Mansouri
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sofia Reynoso
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaqiao Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Guangling College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Teruko Taketo
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Bird AD, Frost ER, Bagheri-Fam S, Croft BM, Ryan JM, Zhao L, Koopman P, Harley VR. Somatic FGFR2 is Required for Germ Cell Maintenance in the Mouse Ovary. Endocrinology 2023; 164:7036407. [PMID: 36786658 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
During sex determination in the mouse, fibroblast growth factor 9 signals through the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2c isoform (FGFR2c) to trigger Sertoli cell and testis development from 11.5 days post coitum (dpc). In the XX gonad, the FOXL2 and WNT4/RSPO1 pathways drive granulosa cell and ovarian development. The function of FGFR2 in the developing ovary, and whether FGFR2 is required in the testis after sex determination, is not clear. In fetal mouse gonads from 12.5 dpc, FGFR2 shows sexually dimorphic expression. In XX gonads, FGFR2c is coexpressed with FOXL2 in pregranulosa cells, whereas XY gonads show FGFR2b expression in germ cells. Deletion of Fgfr2c in XX mice led to a marked decrease/absence of germ cells by 13.5 dpc in the ovary. This indicates that FGFR2c in the somatic pregranulosa cells is required for the maintenance of germ cells. Surprisingly, on the Fgfr2c-/- background, the germ cell phenotype could be rescued by ablation of Foxl2, suggesting a novel mechanism whereby FGFR2 and FOXL2 act antagonistically during germ cell development. Consistent with low/absent FGFR2 expression in the Sertoli cells of 12.5 and 13.5 dpc XY gonads, XY AMH:Cre; Fgfr2flox/flox mice showed normal testis morphology and structures during fetal development and in adulthood. Thus, FGFR2 is not essential for maintaining Sertoli cell fate after sex determination. Combined, these data show that FGFR2 is not necessary for Sertoli cell function after sex determination but does play an important role in the ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony D Bird
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Australia
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
| | - Emily R Frost
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Stefan Bagheri-Fam
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Brittany M Croft
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Janelle M Ryan
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Vincent R Harley
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
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Zhu J, Lei L, Chen C, Wang Y, Liu X, Geng L, Li R, Chen H, Hong X, Yu L, Wei C, Li W, Zhu X. Whole-Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Gender Dimorphic Expressions of Mrnas and Non-Coding Rnas in Chinese Soft-Shell Turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11060834. [PMID: 35741355 PMCID: PMC9219891 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
In aquaculture, the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is an economically important species with remarkable gender dimorphism in its growth patterns. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon have not been elucidated well. Here, we conducted a whole-transcriptome analysis of the female and male gonads of P. sinensis. Overall, 7833 DE mRNAs, 619 DE lncRNAs, 231 DE circRNAs, and 520 DE miRNAs were identified. Some "star genes" associated with sex differentiation containing dmrt1, sox9, and foxl2 were identified. Additionally, some potential genes linked to sex differentiation, such as bmp2, ran, and sox3, were also isolated in P. sinensis. Functional analysis showed that the DE miRNAs and DE ncRNAs were enriched in the pathways related to sex differentiation, including ovarian steroidogenesis, the hippo signaling pathway, and the calcium signaling pathway. Remarkably, a lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network was constructed, containing the key genes associated with sex differentiation, including fgf9, foxl3, and dmrta2. Collectively, we constructed a gender dimorphism profile of the female and male gonads of P. sinensis, profoundly contributing to the exploration of the major genes and potential ncRNAs involved in the sex differentiation of P. sinensis. More importantly, we highlighted the potential functions of ncRNAs for gene regulation during sex differentiation in P. sinensis as well as in other turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Luo Lei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Yakun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Lulu Geng
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Ruiyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Haigang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Xiaoyou Hong
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Lingyun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Chengqing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
- Correspondence: (W.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xinping Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China
- Correspondence: (W.L.); (X.Z.)
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