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Ota R, Miura H, Masukawa M, Hayashi M, Kobayashi S. Identification of novel candidate genes leading to sex differentiation in primordial germ cells of Drosophila. Gene Expr Patterns 2023; 48:119321. [PMID: 37142099 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2023.119321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Germline sex determination and differentiation are pivotal processes in reproduction. In Drosophila, sex determination of the germline occurs in primordial germ cells (PGCs), and the sex differentiation of these cells is initiated during embryogenesis. However, the molecular mechanism initiating sex differentiation remains elusive. To address this issue, we identified sex-biased genes using RNA-sequencing data of male and female PGCs. Our research revealed 497 genes that were differentially expressed more than twofold between sexes and expressed at high or moderate levels in either male or female PGCs. Among these genes, we used microarray data of PGCs and whole embryos to select 33 genes, which are predominantly expressed in PGCs compared to the soma, as candidate genes contributing to sex differentiation. Of 497 genes, 13 genes that were differentially expressed more than fourfold between sexes were also selected as candidates. Among the 46 (33 + 13) candidates, we confirmed the sex-biased expression of 15 genes by in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. Six and nine genes were predominantly expressed in male and female PGCs, respectively. These results represent a first step toward elucidating the mechanisms that initiate sex differentiation in the germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Ota
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Teikyo University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 320-8551, Japan; Division of Integrated Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Teikyo University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 320-8551, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Miura
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Masaki Masukawa
- Degree Programs in Life and Earth Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Makoto Hayashi
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Satoru Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan; Degree Programs in Life and Earth Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan; Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
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Wang J, Zhu Y, Zhang C, Duan R, Kong F, Zheng X, Hua Y. A conserved role of bam in maintaining metabolic homeostasis via regulating intestinal microbiota in Drosophila. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14145. [PMID: 36248714 PMCID: PMC9559046 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have proven that bag-of-marbles (bam) plays a pivotal role in promoting early germ cell differentiation in Drosophila ovary. However, whether it functions in regulating the metabolic state of the host remains largely unknown. Methods We utilized GC-MS, qPCR, and some classical kits to examine various metabolic profiles and gut microbial composition in bam loss-of-function mutants and age-paired controls. We performed genetic manipulations to explore the tissue/organ-specific role of bam in regulating energy metabolism in Drosophila. The DSS-induced mouse colitis was generated to identify the role of Gm114, the mammalian homolog of bam, in modulating intestinal homeostasis. Results We show that loss of bam leads to an increased storage of energy in Drosophila. Silence of bam in intestines results in commensal microbial dysbiosis and metabolic dysfunction of the host. Moreover, recovery of bam expression in guts almost rescues the obese phenotype in bam loss-of-function mutants. Further examinations of mammalian Gm114 imply a similar biological function in regulating the intestinal homeostasis and energy storage with its Drosophila homolog bam. Conclusion Our studies uncover a novel biological function of bam/Gm114 in regulating the host lipid homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Wang
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | | | - Chao Zhang
- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | | | | | - Xianrui Zheng
- Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, China
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3
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Fouchécourt S, Fillon V, Marrauld C, Callot C, Ronsin S, Picolo F, Douet C, Piégu B, Monget P. Expanding duplication of the testis PHD Finger Protein 7 (PHF7) gene in the chicken genome. Genomics 2022; 114:110411. [PMID: 35716824 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Gene duplications increase genetic and phenotypic diversity and occur in complex genomic regions that are still difficult to sequence and assemble. PHD Finger Protein 7 (PHF7) acts during spermiogenesis for histone-to-histone protamine exchange and is a determinant of male fertility in Drosophila and the mouse. We aimed to explore and characterise in the chicken genome the expanding family of the numerous orthologues of the unique mouse Phf7 gene (highly expressed in the testis), observing the fact that this information is unclear and/or variable according to the versions of databases. We validated nine primer pairs by in silico PCR for their use in screening the chicken bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library to produce BAC-derived probes to detect and localise PHF7-like loci by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). We selected nine BAC that highlighted nine chromosomal regions for a total of 10 distinct PHF7-like loci on five Gallus gallus chromosomes: Chr1 (three loci), Chr2 (two loci), Chr12 (one locus), Chr19 (one locus) and ChrZ (three loci). We sequenced the corresponding BAC by using high-performance PacBio technology. After assembly, we performed annotation with the FGENESH program: there were a total of 116 peptides, including 39 PHF7-like proteins identified by BLASTP. These proteins share a common exon-intron core structure of 8-11 exons. Phylogeny revealed that the duplications occurred first between chromosomal regions and then inside each region. There are other duplicated genes in the identified BAC sequences, suggesting that these genomic regions exhibit a high rate of tandem duplication. We showed that the PHF7 gene, which is highly expressed in the rooster testis, is a highly duplicated gene family in the chicken genome, and this phenomenon probably concerns other bird species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valérie Fillon
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, F-31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Christelle Marrauld
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, F-31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Caroline Callot
- CNRGV - Plant Genomic Center, INRAE, F-31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Sarah Ronsin
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, F-37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Floriane Picolo
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, F-37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Cécile Douet
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, F-37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Benoit Piégu
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, F-37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Philippe Monget
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, F-37380, Nouzilly, France
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Bhaskar PK, Southard S, Baxter K, Van Doren M. Germline sex determination regulates sex-specific signaling between germline stem cells and their niche. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110620. [PMID: 35385723 PMCID: PMC10462394 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Establishing germ cell sexual identity is critical for development of male and female germline stem cells (GSCs) and production of sperm or eggs. Germ cells depend on signals from the somatic gonad to determine sex, but in organisms such as flies, mice, and humans, the sex chromosome genotype of the germ cells is also important for germline sexual development. How somatic signals and germ-cell-intrinsic cues combine to regulate germline sex determination is thus a key question. We find that JAK/STAT signaling in the GSC niche promotes male identity in germ cells, in part by activating the chromatin reader Phf7. Further, we find that JAK/STAT signaling is blocked in XX (female) germ cells through the action of the sex determination gene Sex lethal to preserve female identity. Thus, an important function of germline sexual identity is to control how GSCs respond to signals in their niche environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar Bhaskar
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sheryl Southard
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kelly Baxter
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Mark Van Doren
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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Zinshteyn D, Barbash DA. Stonewall prevents expression of ectopic genes in the ovary and accumulates at insulator elements in D. melanogaster. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010110. [PMID: 35324887 PMCID: PMC8982855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cells (GSCs) are the progenitor cells of the germline for the lifetime of an animal. In Drosophila, these cells reside in a cellular niche that is required for both their maintenance (self-renewal) and differentiation (asymmetric division resulting in a daughter cell that differs from the GSC). The stem cell—daughter cell transition is tightly regulated by a number of processes, including an array of proteins required for genome stability. The germline stem-cell maintenance factor Stonewall (Stwl) associates with heterochromatin, but its molecular function is poorly understood. We performed RNA-Seq on stwl mutant ovaries and found significant derepression of many transposon families but not heterochromatic genes. We also discovered inappropriate expression of multiple classes of genes. Most prominent are testis-enriched genes, including the male germline sex-determination switch Phf7, the differentiation factor bgcn, and a large testis-specific gene cluster on chromosome 2, all of which are upregulated or ectopically expressed in stwl mutant ovaries. Surprisingly, we also found that RNAi knockdown of stwl in somatic S2 cells results in ectopic expression of these testis genes. Using parallel ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq experiments in S2 cells, we discovered that Stwl localizes upstream of transcription start sites and at heterochromatic sequences including repetitive sequences associated with telomeres. Stwl is also enriched at bgcn, suggesting that it directly regulates this essential differentiation factor. Finally, we identify Stwl binding motifs that are shared with known insulator binding proteins. We propose that Stwl affects gene regulation, including repression of male transcripts in the female germline, by binding insulators and establishing chromatin boundaries. Stem cells are defined by their ability to divide asymmetrically, resulting in a differentiated cell and a stem cell daughter. In fruit flies, sperm and egg production begins with germline stem cells (GSCs). The ability of a GSC to differentiate or self-renew is tightly regulated by a myriad of factors. Some of these are transcription factors, which are responsible for activating or suppressing other genes to promote one state in favor of another. Stonewall is an ovarian nuclear protein required for GSC self-renewal, whose molecular function is poorly understood. Here we show that Stonewall is responsible for preventing the activation of “male” molecular programming in the fruit fly ovary. When Stonewall is absent from the ovary, egg production is terminated and testis-specific genes become highly expressed, including the male transcript of Phf7, which induces male sexual identity in female germ cells. We also show that Stonewall is likely localizing to genomic insulators, which are regions of the genome that shield genes from nearby regulators. Our findings suggest that Stonewall helps to organize the genome in ovarian germ cells and prevent expression of male genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zinshteyn
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Daniel A. Barbash
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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6
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Garry GA, Bassel-Duby R, Olson EN. Direct reprogramming as a route to cardiac repair. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 122:3-13. [PMID: 34246567 PMCID: PMC8738780 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditure worldwide due to an inability of the heart to regenerate following injury. Thus, novel heart failure therapies aimed at promoting cardiomyocyte regeneration are desperately needed. In recent years, direct reprogramming of resident cardiac fibroblasts to induced cardiac-like myocytes (iCMs) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to repurpose the fibrotic response of the injured heart toward a functional myocardium. Direct cardiac reprogramming was initially achieved through the overexpression of the transcription factors (TFs) Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5 (GMT). However, this combination of TFs and other subsequent cocktails demonstrated limited success in reprogramming adult human and mouse fibroblasts, constraining the clinical translation of this therapy. Over the past decade, significant effort has been dedicated to optimizing reprogramming cocktails comprised of cardiac TFs, epigenetic factors, microRNAs, or small molecules to yield efficient cardiac cell fate conversion. Yet, efficient reprogramming of adult human fibroblasts remains a significant challenge. Underlying mechanisms identified to accelerate this process have been centered on epigenetic remodeling at cardiac gene regulatory regions. Further studies to achieve a refined understanding and directed means of overcoming epigenetic barriers are merited to more rapidly translate these promising therapies to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glynnis A. Garry
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Eric N. Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,Correspondence: Eric N. Olson, Ph.D. 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, 75390-9148, Tel: 214-648-1187,
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7
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PHF7 Modulates BRDT Stability and Histone-to-Protamine Exchange during Spermiogenesis. Cell Rep 2021; 32:107950. [PMID: 32726616 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process of sperm generation, including mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During spermiogenesis, histones in post-meiotic spermatids are removed from chromatin and replaced by protamines. Although histone-to-protamine exchange is important for sperm nuclear condensation, the underlying regulatory mechanism is still poorly understood. Here, we identify PHD finger protein 7 (PHF7) as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for histone H3K14 in post-meiotic spermatids. Generation of Phf7-deficient mice and Phf7 C160A knockin mice with impaired E3 ubiquitin ligase activity reveals defects in histone-to-protamine exchange caused by dysregulation of histone removal factor Bromodomain, testis-specific (BRDT) in early condensing spermatids. Surprisingly, E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of PHF7 on histone ubiquitination leads to stabilization of BRDT by attenuating ubiquitination of BRDT. Collectively, our findings identify PHF7 as a critical factor for sperm chromatin condensation and contribute to mechanistic understanding of fundamental phenomenon of histone-to-protamine exchange and potential for drug development for the male reproduction system.
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8
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Garry GA, Bezprozvannaya S, Chen K, Zhou H, Hashimoto H, Morales MG, Liu N, Bassel-Duby R, Olson EN. The histone reader PHF7 cooperates with the SWI/SNF complex at cardiac super enhancers to promote direct reprogramming. Nat Cell Biol 2021; 23:467-475. [PMID: 33941892 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-021-00668-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Direct cardiac reprogramming of fibroblasts to cardiomyocytes presents an attractive therapeutic strategy to restore cardiac function following injury. Cardiac reprogramming was initially achieved through overexpression of the transcription factors Gata4, Mef2c and Tbx5; later, Hand2 and Akt1 were found to further enhance this process1-5. Yet, staunch epigenetic barriers severely limit the ability of these cocktails to reprogramme adult fibroblasts6,7. We undertook a screen of mammalian gene regulatory factors to discover novel regulators of cardiac reprogramming in adult fibroblasts and identified the histone reader PHF7 as the most potent activating factor8. Mechanistically, PHF7 localizes to cardiac super enhancers in fibroblasts, and through cooperation with the SWI/SNF complex, it increases chromatin accessibility and transcription factor binding at these sites. Furthermore, PHF7 recruits cardiac transcription factors to activate a positive transcriptional autoregulatory circuit in reprogramming. Importantly, PHF7 achieves efficient reprogramming in the absence of Gata4. Here, we highlight the underexplored necessity of cardiac epigenetic readers, such as PHF7, in harnessing chromatin remodelling and transcriptional complexes to overcome critical barriers to direct cardiac reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glynnis A Garry
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Svetlana Bezprozvannaya
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kenian Chen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Huanyu Zhou
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hisayuki Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Maria Gabriela Morales
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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9
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Yang SY. Germline masculinization by Phf7 in D. melanogaster requires its evolutionarily novel C-terminus and the HP1-family protein HP1D3csd. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6308. [PMID: 33737548 PMCID: PMC7973481 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85560-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cells in Drosophila melanogaster need intrinsic factors along with somatic signals to activate proper sexual programs. A key factor for male germline sex determination is PHD finger protein 7 (Phf7), a histone reader expressed in the male germline that can trigger sex reversal in female germ cells and is also important for efficient spermatogenesis. Here we find that the evolutionarily novel C-terminus in Phf7 is necessary to turn on the complete male program in the early germline of D. melanogaster, suggesting that this domain may have been uniquely acquired to regulate sexual differentiation. We further looked for genes regulated by Phf7 related to sex determination in the embryonic germline by transcriptome profiling of FACS-purified embryonic gonads. One of the genes positively-regulated by Phf7 in the embryonic germline was an HP1family member, Heterochromatin Protein 1D3 chromoshadow domain (HP1D3csd). We find that this gene is needed for Phf7 to induce male-like development in the female germline, indicating that HP1D3csd is an important factor acting downstream of Phf7 to regulate germline masculinization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Yuan Yang
- Department and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
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10
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11
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Smolko AE, Shapiro-Kulnane L, Salz HK. An autoregulatory switch in sex-specific phf7 transcription causes loss of sexual identity and tumors in the Drosophila female germline. Development 2020; 147:dev.192856. [PMID: 32816970 DOI: 10.1242/dev.192856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of germ cell sexual identity is essential for reproduction. Entry into the spermatogenesis or oogenesis pathway requires that the appropriate gene network is activated and the antagonist network is silenced. For example, in Drosophila female germ cells, forced expression of the testis-specific PHD finger protein 7 (PHF7) disrupts oogenesis, leading to either an agametic or germ cell tumor phenotype. Here, we show that PHF7-expressing ovarian germ cells inappropriately express hundreds of genes, many of which are male germline genes. We find that the majority of genes under PHF7 control in female germ cells are not under PHF7 control in male germ cells, suggesting that PHF7 is acting in a tissue-specific manner. Remarkably, transcriptional reprogramming includes a positive autoregulatory feedback mechanism in which ectopic PHF7 overcomes its own transcriptional repression through promoter switching. Furthermore, we find that tumorigenic capacity is dependent on the dosage of phf7 This study reveals that ectopic PHF7 in female germ cells leads to a loss of sexual identity and the promotion of a regulatory circuit that is beneficial for tumor initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E Smolko
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
| | - Laura Shapiro-Kulnane
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
| | - Helen K Salz
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
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12
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Cridland JM, Majane AC, Sheehy HK, Begun DJ. Polymorphism and Divergence of Novel Gene Expression Patterns in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2020; 216:79-93. [PMID: 32737121 PMCID: PMC7463294 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.120.303515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptomes may evolve by multiple mechanisms, including the evolution of novel genes, the evolution of transcript abundance, and the evolution of cell, tissue, or organ expression patterns. Here, we focus on the last of these mechanisms in an investigation of tissue and organ shifts in gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster. In contrast to most investigations of expression evolution, we seek to provide a framework for understanding the mechanisms of novel expression patterns on a short population genetic timescale. To do so, we generated population samples of D. melanogaster transcriptomes from five tissues: accessory gland, testis, larval salivary gland, female head, and first-instar larva. We combined these data with comparable data from two outgroups to characterize gains and losses of expression, both polymorphic and fixed, in D. melanogaster We observed a large number of gain- or loss-of-expression phenotypes, most of which were polymorphic within D. melanogaster Several polymorphic, novel expression phenotypes were strongly influenced by segregating cis-acting variants. In support of previous literature on the evolution of novelties functioning in male reproduction, we observed many more novel expression phenotypes in the testis and accessory gland than in other tissues. Additionally, genes showing novel expression phenotypes tend to exhibit greater tissue-specific expression. Finally, in addition to qualitatively novel expression phenotypes, we identified genes exhibiting major quantitative expression divergence in the D. melanogaster lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Cridland
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - Alex C Majane
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - Hayley K Sheehy
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - David J Begun
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616
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13
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Gulati P, Kohli S, Narang A, Brahmachari V. Mining histone methyltransferases and demethylases from whole genome sequence. J Biosci 2020; 45:9. [PMID: 31965987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation through post-translational modification of histones, especially methylation, is well conserved in evolution. Although there are several insect genomes sequenced, an analysis with a focus on their epigenetic repertoire is limited. We have utilized a novel work-flow to identify one or more domains as highpriority domain (HPD), if present in at least 50% of the genes of a given functional class in the reference genome, namely, that of Drosophila melanogaster. Based on this approach, we have mined histone methyltransferases and demethylases from the whole genome sequence of Aedes aegypti (Diptera), the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, the triatomid bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera), the honeybee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera), the silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera) and the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera). We identified 38 clusters consisting of arginine methyltransferases, lysine methyltransferases and demethylases using OrthoFinder, and the presence of HPD was queried in these sequences using InterProScan. This approach led us to identify putative novel members and currently inaccurate ones. Other than the highpriority domains, these proteins contain shared and unique domains that can mediate protein-protein interaction. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that there is different extent of protein sequence similarity; average similarity between histone lysine methyltransferases varies from 41% (for active mark) to 48% (for repressive mark), arginine methyltransferases is 51%, and demethylases is 52%. The method utilized here facilitates reliable identification of desired functional class in newly sequenced genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parul Gulati
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
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Molnar C, Heinen JP, Reina J, Llamazares S, Palumbo E, Breschi A, Gay M, Villarreal L, Vilaseca M, Pollarolo G, Gonzalez C. The histone code reader PHD finger protein 7 controls sex-linked disparities in gene expression and malignancy in Drosophila. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw7965. [PMID: 31453329 PMCID: PMC6693905 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw7965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The notable male predominance across many human cancer types remains unexplained. Here, we show that Drosophila l(3)mbt brain tumors are more invasive and develop as malignant neoplasms more often in males than in females. By quantitative proteomics, we have identified a signature of proteins that are differentially expressed between male and female tumor samples. Prominent among them is the conserved chromatin reader PHD finger protein 7 (Phf7). We show that Phf7 depletion reduces sex-dependent differences in gene expression and suppresses the enhanced malignant traits of male tumors. Our results identify potential regulators of sex-linked tumor dimorphism and show that these genes may serve as targets to suppress sex-linked malignant traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Molnar
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jan Peter Heinen
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Reina
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salud Llamazares
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emilio Palumbo
- CRG, BIST, Carrer del Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- UPF, Plaça de la Mercè, 10, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM, Carrer del Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Marina Gay
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Villarreal
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Vilaseca
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giulia Pollarolo
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cayetano Gonzalez
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Corresponding author.
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The H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 maintains female identity in Drosophila germ cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4155. [PMID: 30297796 PMCID: PMC6175928 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06697-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The preservation of germ cell sexual identity is essential for gametogenesis. Here we show that H3K9me3-mediated gene silencing is integral to female fate maintenance in Drosophila germ cells. Germ cell specific loss of the H3K9me3 pathway members, the H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1, WDE, and HP1a, leads to ectopic expression of genes, many of which are normally expressed in testis. SETDB1 controls the accumulation of H3K9me3 over a subset of these genes without spreading into neighboring loci. At phf7, a regulator of male germ cell sexual fate, the H3K9me3 peak falls over the silenced testis-specific transcription start site. Furthermore, H3K9me3 recruitment to phf7 and repression of testis-specific transcription is dependent on the female sex determination gene Sxl. Thus, female identity is secured by an H3K9me3 epigenetic pathway in which Sxl is the upstream female-specific regulator, SETDB1 is the required chromatin writer, and phf7 is one of the critical SETDB1 target genes. Epigenetic regulation is critical for the maintenance of germ cell identity. Here the authors show that H3K9me3-mediated gene silencing is critical for repression of testis-specific transcription in Drosophila female germ cells, indicating H3K9me3 maintains female germ cell sexual identity.
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