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Morgan AP, Payseur BA. Genetic background affects the strength of crossover interference in house mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.28.596233. [PMID: 38854148 PMCID: PMC11160618 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.28.596233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Meiotic recombination is required for faithful chromosome segregation in most sexually reproducing organisms and shapes the distribution of genetic variation in populations. Both the overall rate and the spatial distribution of crossovers vary within and between species. Adjacent crossovers on the same chromosome tend to be spaced more evenly than expected at random, a phenomenon known as crossover interference. Although interference has been observed in many taxa, the factors that influence the strength of interference are not well understood. We used house mice (Mus musculus), a well-established model system for understanding recombination, to study the effects of genetics and age on recombination rate and interference in the male germline. We analyzed crossover positions in 503 progeny from reciprocal F1 hybrids between inbred strains representing the three major subspecies of house mice. Consistent with previous studies, autosomal alleles from M. m. musculus tend to increase recombination rate, while inheriting a M. m. musculus X chromosome decreases recombination rate. Old males transmit an average of 0.6 more crossovers per meiosis (5.0%) than young males, though the effect varies across genetic backgrounds. We show that the strength of crossover interference depends on genotype, providing a rare demonstration that interference evolves over short timescales. Differences between reciprocal F1s suggest that X-linked factors modulate the strength of interference. Our findings motivate additional comparisons of interference among recently diverged species and further examination of the role of paternal age in determining the number and positioning of crossovers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Morgan
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Bret A Payseur
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
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2
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Dong S, Chen C, Zhang J, Gao Y, Zeng X, Zhang X. Testicular aging, male fertility and beyond. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1012119. [PMID: 36313743 PMCID: PMC9606211 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1012119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal spermatogenesis and sperm function are crucial for male fertility. The effects of healthy testicular aging and testicular premature aging on spermatogenesis, sperm function, and the spermatogenesis microenvironment cannot be ignored. Compared with younger men, the testis of older men tends to have disturbed spermatogenic processes, sperm abnormalities, sperm dysfunction, and impaired Sertoli and Leydig cells, which ultimately results in male infertility. Various exogenous and endogenous factors also contribute to pathological testicular premature aging, such as adverse environmental stressors and gene mutations. Mechanistically, Y-chromosomal microdeletions, increase in telomere length and oxidative stress, accumulation of DNA damage with decreased repair ability, alterations in epigenetic modifications, miRNA and lncRNA expression abnormalities, have been associated with impaired male fertility due to aging. In recent years, the key molecules and signaling pathways that regulate testicular aging and premature aging have been identified, thereby providing new strategies for diagnosis and treatment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the underlying mechanisms of aging on spermatogenesis. Furthermore, potential rescue measures for reproductive aging have been discussed. Finally, the inadequacy of testicular aging research and future directions for research have been envisaged to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular aging and premature aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijue Dong
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jiali Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xuhui Zeng
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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3
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Focal Adhesion Protein Vinculin Is Required for Proper Meiotic Progression during Mouse Spermatogenesis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132013. [PMID: 35805097 PMCID: PMC9265697 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The focal adhesion protein Vinculin (VCL) is ascribed to various cytoplasmic functions; however, its nuclear role has so far been ambiguous. We observed that VCL localizes to the nuclei of mouse primary spermatocytes undergoing first meiotic division. Specifically, VCL localizes along the meiosis-specific structure synaptonemal complex (SC) during prophase I and the centromeric regions, where it remains until metaphase I. To study the role of VCL in meiotic division, we prepared a conditional knock-out mouse (VCLcKO). We found that the VCLcKO male mice were semi-fertile, with a decreased number of offspring compared to wild-type animals. This study of events in late prophase I indicated premature splitting of homologous chromosomes, accompanied by an untimely loss of SCP1. This caused erroneous kinetochore formation, followed by failure of the meiotic spindle assembly and metaphase I arrest. To assess the mechanism of VCL involvement in meiosis, we searched for its possible interacting partners. A mass spectrometry approach identified several putative interactors which belong to the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway (UPS). The depletion of VLC leads to the dysregulation of a key subunit of the proteasome complex in the meiotic nuclei and an altered nuclear SUMOylation level. Taken together, we show for the first time the presence of VCL in the nucleus of spermatocytes and its involvement in proper meiotic progress. It also suggests the direction for future studies regarding the role of VCL in spermatogenesis through regulation of UPS.
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4
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Tebar AB, Perez ESM, Nam-Cha SH, Valls AJS, Singh ND, de la Casa-Esperon E. Diet effects on mouse meiotic recombination: a warning for recombination studies. Genetics 2021; 220:6428542. [PMID: 34791205 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiotic recombination is a critical process for sexually reproducing organisms. This exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes during meiosis is important not only because it generates genetic diversity, but also because it is often required for proper chromosome segregation. Consequently, the frequency and distribution of crossovers are tightly controlled to ensure fertility and offspring viability. However, in many systems it has been shown that environmental factors can alter the frequency of crossover events. Two studies in flies and yeast point to nutritional status affecting the frequency of crossing over. However, this question remains unexplored in mammals. Here we test how crossover frequency varies in response to diet in Mus musculus males. We use immunohistochemistry to estimate crossover frequency in multiple genotypes under two diet treatments. Our results indicate that while crossover frequency was unaffected by diet in some strains, other strains were sensitive even to small composition changes between two common laboratory chows. Therefore, recombination is both resistant and sensitive to certain dietary changes in a strain-dependent manner and, hence, this response is genetically determined. Our study is the first to report a nutrition effect on genome-wide levels of recombination. Moreover, our work highlights the importance of controlling diet in recombination studies and may point to diet as a potential source of variability among studies, which is relevant for reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Belmonte Tebar
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (C.R.I.B.). University of Castilla-La Mancha. Albacete, 02008, Spain
| | - Estefania San Martin Perez
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (C.R.I.B.). University of Castilla-La Mancha. Albacete, 02008, Spain
| | - Syong Hyun Nam-Cha
- Pathology Department and Biobank of Albacete. University Hospital Complex of Albacete. Albacete, 02006, Spain
| | | | - Nadia D Singh
- Department of Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon. Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA
| | - Elena de la Casa-Esperon
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (C.R.I.B.). University of Castilla-La Mancha. Albacete, 02008, Spain.,School of Pharmacy. University of Castilla-La Mancha. Albacete, 02071, Spain
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5
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Lee J. Is age-related increase of chromosome segregation errors in mammalian oocytes caused by cohesin deterioration? Reprod Med Biol 2020; 19:32-41. [PMID: 31956283 PMCID: PMC6955592 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammalian oocytes initiate meiosis in fetal ovary and are arrested at dictyate stage in prophase I for a long period. It is known that incidence of chromosome segregation errors in oocytes increases with advancing age, but the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon has not been clarified. METHODS Cohesin, a multi-subunit protein complex, mediates sister chromatid cohesion in both mitosis and meiosis. In this review, molecular basis of meiotic chromosome cohesion and segregation is summarized. Further, the relationship between chromosome segregation errors and cohesin deterioration in aged oocytes is discussed. RESULTS Recent studies show that chromosome-associated cohesin decreases in an age-dependent manner in mouse oocytes. Furthermore, conditional knockout or activation of cohesin in oocytes indicates that only the cohesin expressed before premeiotic S phase can establish and maintain sister chromatic cohesion and that cohesin does not turnover during the dictyate arrest. CONCLUSION In mice, the accumulating evidence suggests that deterioration of cohesin due to the lack of turnover during dictyate arrest is one of the major causes of chromosome segregation errors in aged oocytes. However, whether the same is true in human remains elusive since even the deterioration of cohesin during dictyate arrest has not been demonstrated in human oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibak Lee
- Laboratory of Developmental BiotechnologyGraduate School of Agricultural ScienceKobe UniversityKobeJapan
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6
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Bolcun-Filas E, Handel MA. Meiosis: the chromosomal foundation of reproduction. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:112-126. [PMID: 29385397 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is the chromosomal foundation of reproduction, with errors in this important process leading to aneuploidy and/or infertility. In this review celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, the important chromosomal structures and dynamics contributing to genomic integrity across generations are highlighted. Critical unsolved biological problems are identified, and the advances that will lead to their ultimate resolution are predicted.
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Pacchierotti F, Masumura K, Eastmond DA, Elhajouji A, Froetschl R, Kirsch-Volders M, Lynch A, Schuler M, Tweats D, Marchetti F. Chemically induced aneuploidy in germ cells. Part II of the report of the 2017 IWGT workgroup on assessing the risk of aneugens for carcinogenesis and hereditary diseases. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2019; 848:403023. [PMID: 31708072 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
As part of the 7th International Workshops on Genotoxicity Testing held in Tokyo, Japan in November 2017, a workgroup of experts reviewed and assessed the risk of aneugens for human health. The present manuscript is one of three manuscripts from the workgroup and reports on the unanimous consensus reached on the evidence for aneugens affecting germ cells, their mechanisms of action and role in hereditary diseases. There are 24 chemicals with strong or sufficient evidence for germ cell aneugenicity providing robust support for the ability of chemicals to induce germ cell aneuploidy. Interference with microtubule dynamics or inhibition of topoisomerase II function are clear characteristics of germ cell aneugens. Although there are mechanisms of chromosome segregation that are unique to germ cells, there is currently no evidence for germ cell-specific aneugens. However, the available data are heavily skewed toward chemicals that are aneugenic in somatic cells. Development of high-throughput screening assays in suitable animal models for exploring additional targets for aneuploidy induction, such as meiosis-specific proteins, and to prioritize chemicals for the potential to be germ cell aneugens is encouraged. Evidence in animal models support that: oocytes are more sensitive than spermatocytes and somatic cells to aneugens; exposure to aneugens leads to aneuploid conceptuses; and, the frequencies of aneuploidy are similar in germ cells and zygotes. Although aneuploidy in germ cells is a significant cause of infertility and pregnancy loss in humans, there is currently limited evidence that aneugens induce hereditary diseases in human populations because the great majority of aneuploid conceptuses die in utero. Overall, the present work underscores the importance of protecting the human population from exposure to chemicals that can induce aneuploidy in germ cells that, in contrast to carcinogenicity, is directly linked to an adverse outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pacchierotti
- Health Protection Technology Division, Laboratory of Biosafety and Risk Assessment, ENEA, CR Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Kenichi Masumura
- Division of Genetics and Mutagenesis, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - David A Eastmond
- Department of Molecular, Cell and System Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Azeddine Elhajouji
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Preclinical Safety, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Micheline Kirsch-Volders
- Laboratory for Cell Genetics, Faculty of Sciences and Bio-Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Francesco Marchetti
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
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8
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Lane S, Kauppi L. Meiotic spindle assembly checkpoint and aneuploidy in males versus females. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:1135-1150. [PMID: 30564841 PMCID: PMC6513798 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2986-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The production of gametes (sperm and eggs in mammals) involves two sequential cell divisions, meiosis I and meiosis II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes segregate to different daughter cells, and meiosis II resembles mitotic divisions in that sister chromatids separate. While in principle the process is identical in males and females, the time frame and susceptibility to chromosomal defects, including achiasmy and cohesion weakening, and the response to mis-segregating chromosomes are not. In this review, we compare and contrast meiotic spindle assembly checkpoint function and aneuploidy in the two sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Lane
- Department of Chemistry and the Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Building 85, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO171BJ, UK
| | - Liisa Kauppi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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9
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Grive KJ, Hu Y, Shu E, Grimson A, Elemento O, Grenier JK, Cohen PE. Dynamic transcriptome profiles within spermatogonial and spermatocyte populations during postnatal testis maturation revealed by single-cell sequencing. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007810. [PMID: 30893341 PMCID: PMC6443194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is the process by which male gametes are formed from a self-renewing population of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) residing in the testis. SSCs represent less than 1% of the total testicular cell population in adults, but must achieve a stable balance between self-renewal and differentiation. Once differentiation has occurred, the newly formed and highly proliferative spermatogonia must then enter the meiotic program in which DNA content is doubled, then halved twice to create haploid gametes. While much is known about the critical cellular processes that take place during the specialized cell division that is meiosis, much less is known about how the spermatocytes in the "first-wave" in juveniles compare to those that contribute to long-term, "steady-state" spermatogenesis in adults. Given the strictly-defined developmental process of spermatogenesis, this study explored the transcriptional profiles of developmental cell stages during testis maturation. Using a combination of comprehensive germ cell sampling with high-resolution, single-cell-mRNA-sequencing, we have generated a reference dataset of germ cell gene expression. We show that discrete developmental stages of spermatogenesis possess significant differences in the transcriptional profiles from neonates compared to juveniles and adults. Importantly, these gene expression dynamics are also reflected at the protein level in their respective cell types. We also show differential utilization of many biological pathways with age in both spermatogonia and spermatocytes, demonstrating significantly different underlying gene regulatory programs in these cell types over the course of testis development and spermatogenic waves. This dataset represents the first unbiased sampling of spermatogonia and spermatocytes during testis maturation, at high-resolution, single-cell depth. Not only does this analysis reveal previously unknown transcriptional dynamics of a highly transitional cell population, it has also begun to reveal critical differences in biological pathway utilization in developing spermatogonia and spermatocytes, including response to DNA damage and double-strand breaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J. Grive
- Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Yang Hu
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Eileen Shu
- Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Andrew Grimson
- Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Olivier Elemento
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Jennifer K. Grenier
- Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Paula E. Cohen
- Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
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10
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Williams LA, Pankratz N, Lane J, Krailo M, Roesler M, Richardson M, Frazier AL, Amatruda JF, Poynter JN. Klinefelter syndrome in males with germ cell tumors: A report from the Children's Oncology Group. Cancer 2018; 124:3900-3908. [PMID: 30291793 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.31667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Males with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) (47,XXY) may be more likely to develop germ cell tumors (GCTs), particularly mediastinal GCTs. To date, there are no reports characterizing the prevalence of KS among male GCT cases. METHODS The authors used array genotyping data from a Children's Oncology Group epidemiology study to estimate the prevalence of KS in males with GCTs (433 males aged birth-19 years). Using Fisher's exact tests, the authors examined differences in age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, tumor location and histology, and several birth characteristics between cases of KS-GCT and GCT cases without chromosomal abnormalities. Using publicly available data, the authors estimated the 1-year risk, risk ratio, and corresponding 95% confidence interval of GCTs among KS cases. RESULTS Based on analysis of array genotyping data, 3% of male GCT cases (13 cases) had KS. The additional X chromosome was of maternal origin in 7 of the 13 cases. Of these 13 KS cases, 5 of 9 KS-GCT cases with parental questionnaire data (56%) reported a diagnosis of KS. No significant differences were observed with regard to patient or birth characteristics between KS-GCT and non-KS-GCT cases. KS-GCT cases were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with mediastinal tumors than non-KS-GCT cases (P<.01). The authors estimated the risk of developing a GCT among males with KS to be 0.00025, or 1 per 4000 males (risk ratio, 18.8; 95% confidence interval, 11.7-30.0). CONCLUSIONS Compared with males without chromosomal abnormalities, males with KS are more likely to be diagnosed with a mediastinal GCT. The presence of KS should be considered in males with a diagnosis of mediastinal GCT. In the current study, the authors report that approximately one-third of males with mediastinal germ cell tumors have Klinefelter syndrome, and therefore screening of these individuals for the syndrome may be warranted. Males with Klinefelter syndrome are 19 times as likely as males without Klinefelter syndrome to develop germ cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A Williams
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Nathan Pankratz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - John Lane
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mark Krailo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michelle Roesler
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Michaela Richardson
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - A Lindsay Frazier
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - James F Amatruda
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jenny N Poynter
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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11
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Stapley J, Feulner PGD, Johnston SE, Santure AW, Smadja CM. Variation in recombination frequency and distribution across eukaryotes: patterns and processes. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 372:rstb.2016.0455. [PMID: 29109219 PMCID: PMC5698618 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombination, the exchange of DNA between maternal and paternal chromosomes during meiosis, is an essential feature of sexual reproduction in nearly all multicellular organisms. While the role of recombination in the evolution of sex has received theoretical and empirical attention, less is known about how recombination rate itself evolves and what influence this has on evolutionary processes within sexually reproducing organisms. Here, we explore the patterns of, and processes governing recombination in eukaryotes. We summarize patterns of variation, integrating current knowledge with an analysis of linkage map data in 353 organisms. We then discuss proximate and ultimate processes governing recombination rate variation and consider how these influence evolutionary processes. Genome-wide recombination rates (cM/Mb) can vary more than tenfold across eukaryotes, and there is large variation in the distribution of recombination events across closely related taxa, populations and individuals. We discuss how variation in rate and distribution relates to genome architecture, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, sex, environmental perturbations and variable selective pressures. There has been great progress in determining the molecular mechanisms governing recombination, and with the continued development of new modelling and empirical approaches, there is now also great opportunity to further our understanding of how and why recombination rate varies.This article is part of the themed issue 'Evolutionary causes and consequences of recombination rate variation in sexual organisms'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Stapley
- Centre for Adaptation to a Changing Environment, IBZ, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Philine G D Feulner
- Department of Fish Ecology and Evolution, Centre of Ecology, Evolution and Biogeochemistry, EAWAG Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 6047 Kastanienbaum, Switzerland.,Division of Aquatic Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Susan E Johnston
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JY, UK
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Carole M Smadja
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution UMR 5554, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Université de Montpellier, 3095 Montpellier cedex 05, France
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12
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Mary N, Ferchaud S, Barasc H, Calgaro A, Bonnet N, Ducos A, Pinton A. Intraindividual Variation of Meiotic Recombination Parameters in Pig Spermatocytes: A Preliminary Study. Cytogenet Genome Res 2018; 154:229-233. [PMID: 29788002 DOI: 10.1159/000488789] [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] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiotic recombination parameters like crossover (CO) rate or synaptonemal complex (SC) length are known to vary strongly between individuals and between cells from the same individual. The origins of this variability remain elusive, and little is known about the variations that might occur between different samples and/or over time within the same individual. To document this question, pachytene cells from 3 boars of the Large White breed were analyzed twice, at a 1-year interval, using immunocytological techniques. CO rate, SC length, and MLH1 inter-foci distances varied significantly between the 3 individuals. CO rate and SC length differed significantly between the 2 sampling periods for 1 individual. However, no significant differences were observed between the 2 samples for CO distribution and inter-foci distances in the 3 boars studied.
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13
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Tšuiko O, Jatsenko T, Parameswaran Grace LK, Kurg A, Vermeesch JR, Lanner F, Altmäe S, Salumets A. A speculative outlook on embryonic aneuploidy: Can molecular pathways be involved? Dev Biol 2018; 447:3-13. [PMID: 29391166 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The journey of embryonic development starts at oocyte fertilization, which triggers a complex cascade of events and cellular pathways that guide early embryogenesis. Recent technological advances have greatly expanded our knowledge of cleavage-stage embryo development, which is characterized by an increased rate of whole-chromosome losses and gains, mixoploidy, and atypical cleavage morphokinetics. Embryonic aneuploidy significantly contributes to implantation failure, spontaneous miscarriage, stillbirth or congenital birth defects in both natural and assisted human reproduction. Essentially, early embryo development is strongly determined by maternal factors. Owing to considerable limitations associated with human oocyte and embryo research, the use of animal models is inevitable. However, cellular and molecular mechanisms driving the error-prone early stages of development are still poorly described. In this review, we describe known events that lead to aneuploidy in mammalian oocytes and preimplantation embryos. As the processes of oocyte and embryo development are rigorously regulated by multiple signal-transduction pathways, we explore the putative role of signaling pathways in genomic integrity maintenance. Based on the existing evidence from human and animal data, we investigate whether critical early developmental pathways, like Wnt, Hippo and MAPK, together with distinct DNA damage response and DNA repair pathways can be associated with embryo genomic instability, a question that has, so far, remained largely unexplored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Tšuiko
- Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Bio- and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu 50411, Estonia; Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu 50410, Estonia
| | | | - Lalit Kumar Parameswaran Grace
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17176, Sweden
| | - Ants Kurg
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu 51010, Estonia
| | - Joris Robert Vermeesch
- Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Center of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Fredrik Lanner
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention, and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 14186, Sweden
| | - Signe Altmäe
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu 50410, Estonia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.
| | - Andres Salumets
- Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Bio- and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu 50411, Estonia; Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu 50410, Estonia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu 51014, Estonia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
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14
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Zelazowski MJ, Sandoval M, Paniker L, Hamilton HM, Han J, Gribbell MA, Kang R, Cole F. Age-Dependent Alterations in Meiotic Recombination Cause Chromosome Segregation Errors in Spermatocytes. Cell 2017; 171:601-614.e13. [PMID: 28942922 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Faithful chromosome segregation in meiosis requires crossover (CO) recombination, which is regulated to ensure at least one CO per homolog pair. We investigate the failure to ensure COs in juvenile male mice. By monitoring recombination genome-wide using cytological assays and at hotspots using molecular assays, we show that juvenile mouse spermatocytes have fewer COs relative to adults. Analysis of recombination in the absence of MLH3 provides evidence for greater utilization in juveniles of pathways involving structure-selective nucleases and alternative complexes, which can act upon precursors to generate noncrossovers (NCOs) at the expense of COs. We propose that some designated CO sites fail to mature efficiently in juveniles owing to inappropriate activity of these alternative repair pathways, leading to chromosome mis-segregation. We also find lower MutLγ focus density in juvenile human spermatocytes, suggesting that weaker CO maturation efficiency may explain why younger men have a higher risk of fathering children with Down syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej J Zelazowski
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Maria Sandoval
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Lakshmi Paniker
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Holly M Hamilton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Jiaying Han
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Mikalah A Gribbell
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Rhea Kang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA; Program in Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Francesca Cole
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA; Program in Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.
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15
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Horan TS, Marre A, Hassold T, Lawson C, Hunt PA. Germline and reproductive tract effects intensify in male mice with successive generations of estrogenic exposure. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006885. [PMID: 28727826 PMCID: PMC5519010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis that developmental estrogenic exposure induces a constellation of male reproductive tract abnormalities is supported by experimental and human evidence. Experimental data also suggest that some induced effects persist in descendants of exposed males. These multi- and transgenerational effects are assumed to result from epigenetic changes to the germline, but few studies have directly analyzed germ cells. Typically, studies of transgenerational effects have involved exposing one generation and monitoring effects in subsequent unexposed generations. This approach, however, has limited human relevance, since both the number and volume of estrogenic contaminants has increased steadily over time, intensifying rather than reducing or eliminating exposure. Using an outbred CD-1 mouse model, and a sensitive and quantitative marker of germline development, meiotic recombination, we tested the effect of successive generations of exposure on the testis. We targeted the germline during a narrow, perinatal window using oral exposure to the synthetic estrogen, ethinyl estradiol. A complex three generation exposure protocol allowed us to compare the effects of individual, paternal, and grandpaternal (ancestral) exposure. Our data indicate that multiple generations of exposure not only exacerbate germ cell exposure effects, but also increase the incidence and severity of reproductive tract abnormalities. Taken together, our data suggest that male sensitivity to environmental estrogens is increased by successive generations of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tegan S. Horan
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Alyssa Marre
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Terry Hassold
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Crystal Lawson
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Patricia A. Hunt
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
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16
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Potapova T, Gorbsky GJ. The Consequences of Chromosome Segregation Errors in Mitosis and Meiosis. BIOLOGY 2017; 6:biology6010012. [PMID: 28208750 PMCID: PMC5372005 DOI: 10.3390/biology6010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mistakes during cell division frequently generate changes in chromosome content, producing aneuploid or polyploid progeny cells. Polyploid cells may then undergo abnormal division to generate aneuploid cells. Chromosome segregation errors may also involve fragments of whole chromosomes. A major consequence of segregation defects is change in the relative dosage of products from genes located on the missegregated chromosomes. Abnormal expression of transcriptional regulators can also impact genes on the properly segregated chromosomes. The consequences of these perturbations in gene expression depend on the specific chromosomes affected and on the interplay of the aneuploid phenotype with the environment. Most often, these novel chromosome distributions are detrimental to the health and survival of the organism. However, in a changed environment, alterations in gene copy number may generate a more highly adapted phenotype. Chromosome segregation errors also have important implications in human health. They may promote drug resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. In cancer cells, they are a source for genetic and phenotypic variability that may select for populations with increased malignance and resistance to therapy. Lastly, chromosome segregation errors during gamete formation in meiosis are a primary cause of human birth defects and infertility. This review describes the consequences of mitotic and meiotic errors focusing on novel concepts and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Potapova
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.
| | - Gary J Gorbsky
- Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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17
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Kent T, Arnold SL, Fasnacht R, Rowsey R, Mitchell D, Hogarth CA, Isoherranen N, Griswold MD. ALDH Enzyme Expression Is Independent of the Spermatogenic Cycle, and Their Inhibition Causes Misregulation of Murine Spermatogenic Processes. Biol Reprod 2015; 94:12. [PMID: 26632609 PMCID: PMC4809557 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.131458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Perturbations in the vitamin A metabolism pathway could be a significant cause of male infertility, as well as a target toward the development of a male contraceptive, necessitating the need for a better understanding of how testicular retinoic acid (RA) concentrations are regulated. Quantitative analyses have recently demonstrated that RA is present in a pulsatile manner along testis tubules. However, it is unclear if the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes, which are responsible for RA synthesis, contribute to the regulation of these RA concentration gradients. Previous studies have alluded to fluctuations in ALDH enzymes across the spermatogenic cycle, but these inferences have been based primarily on qualitative transcript localization experiments. Here, we show via various quantitative methods that the three well-known ALDH enzymes (ALDH1A1, ALDH1A2, and ALDH1A3), and an ALDH enzyme previously unreported in the murine testis (ALDH8A1), are not expressed in a stage-specific manner in the adult testis, but do fluctuate throughout juvenile development in perfect agreement with the first appearance of each advancing germ cell type. We also show, via treatments with a known ALDH inhibitor, that lowered testicular RA levels result in an increase in blood-testis barrier permeability, meiotic recombination, and meiotic defects. Taken together, these data further our understanding of the complex regulatory actions of RA on various spermatogenic events and, in contrast with previous studies, also suggest that the ALDH enzymes are not responsible for regulating the recently measured RA pulse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Kent
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Samuel L Arnold
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rachael Fasnacht
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Ross Rowsey
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Debra Mitchell
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Cathryn A Hogarth
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Nina Isoherranen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
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18
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Reduced recombination patterns in Robertsonian hybrids between chromosomal races of the house mouse: chiasma analyses. Heredity (Edinb) 2014; 114:56-64. [PMID: 25074574 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2014.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The recombination suppression models of chromosomal speciation posit that chromosomal rearrangements act as partial barriers to gene flow allowing these regions to accumulate genetic incompatibilities, thus contributing to the divergence of populations. Empirical and theoretical studies exploring the requirements of these models have mostly focused on the role of inversions. Here, the recombination landscape of heterozygosity for Robertsonian (Rb) fusions is investigated in the house mouse. Laboratory-bred F1 males and females between highly differentiated races from Tunisia (Rb: 2n=22, Standard, St: 2n=40) were produced in which all Rb fusions are present as trivalents in meiosis. Recombination patterns were determined by the analysis of chiasmata and compared with previous data on the Tunisian parental mice. A comparative analysis was performed on wild-caught male mice spanning the hybrid zone between two Italian races (2n=40, 2n=22). The results showed that the chiasma characteristics of both male and female Tunisian F1 and Italian hybrids clearly differed from those of Rb and St mice. Not only was the mean chiasma number (CN) intermediate between those of the parental mice in both geographic samples, but the distribution of chiasmata along the chromosomal arms of the F1 showed a distinct mosaic pattern. In short, the proximal region in the F1 exhibited a reduced CN similar to that observed in homozygous Rb, whereas distal regions more closely matched those in St mice. These results suggest that Rb rearrangements (homozygous or heterozygous) reduce recombination in the proximal regions of the chromosomes supporting their potential role in recombination-mediated speciation models.
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