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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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Neirijnck Y, Sararols P, Kühne F, Mayère C, Weerasinghe Arachchige LC, Regard V, Nef S, Schedl A. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling redefines the origin and specification of early adrenogonadal progenitors. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112191. [PMID: 36862551 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenal cortex and gonads represent the two major steroidogenic organs in mammals. Both tissues are considered to share a common developmental origin characterized by the expression of Nr5a1/Sf1. The precise origin of adrenogonadal progenitors and the processes driving differentiation toward the adrenal or gonadal fate remain, however, elusive. Here, we provide a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas of early mouse adrenogonadal development including 52 cell types belonging to twelve major cell lineages. Trajectory reconstruction reveals that adrenogonadal cells emerge from the lateral plate rather than the intermediate mesoderm. Surprisingly, we find that gonadal and adrenal fates have already diverged prior to Nr5a1 expression. Finally, lineage separation into gonadal and adrenal fates involves canonical versus non-canonical Wnt signaling and differential expression of Hox patterning genes. Thus, our study provides important insights into the molecular programs of adrenal and gonadal fate choice and will be a valuable resource for further research into adrenogonadal ontogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Neirijnck
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, IBV, 06108 Nice, France.
| | - Pauline Sararols
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Françoise Kühne
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chloé Mayère
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Violaine Regard
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Andreas Schedl
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, IBV, 06108 Nice, France.
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Warr N, Siggers P, May J, Chalon N, Pope M, Wells S, Chaboissier MC, Greenfield A. Gadd45g is required for timely Sry expression independently of RSPO1 activity. Reproduction 2022; 163:333-340. [PMID: 35315790 PMCID: PMC9066659 DOI: 10.1530/rep-21-0443] [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: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Sex determination in mammals is controlled by the dominance of either pro-testis (SRY-SOX9-FGF9) or pro-ovary (RSPO1-WNT4-FOXL2) genetic pathways during early gonad development in XY and XX embryos, respectively. We have previously shown that early, robust expression of mouse Sry is dependent on the nuclear protein GADD45g. In the absence of GADD45g, XY gonadal sex reversal occurs, associated with a major reduction of Sry levels at 11.5 dpc. Here, we probe the relationship between Gadd45g and Sry further, using gain- and loss-of-function genetics. First, we show that transgenic Gadd45g overexpression can elevate Sry expression levels at 11.5 dpc in the B6.YPOS model of sex reversal, resulting in phenotypic rescue. We then show that the zygosity of pro-ovarian Rspo1 is critical for the degree of gonadal sex reversal observed in both B6.YPOS and Gadd45g-deficient XY gonads, in contrast to that of Foxl2. Phenotypic rescue of sex reversal is observed in XY gonads lacking both Gadd45g and Rspo1, but this is not associated with rescue of Sry expression levels at 11.5 dpc. Instead, Sox9 levels are rescued by around 12.5 dpc. We conclude that Gadd45g is absolutely required for timely expression of Sry in XY gonads, independently of RSPO1-mediated WNT signalling, and discuss these data in light of our understanding of antagonistic interactions between the pro-testis and pro-ovary pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Warr
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Pam Siggers
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Joel May
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Nicolas Chalon
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Madeleine Pope
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Sara Wells
- The Mary Lyon Centre, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | | | - Andy Greenfield
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
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Cicek D, Warr N, Yesil G, Kocak Eker H, Bas F, Poyrazoglu S, Darendeliler F, Direk G, Hatipoglu N, Eltan M, Yavas Abali Z, Gurpinar Tosun B, Kaygusuz SB, Seven Menevse T, Helvacioglu D, Turan S, Bereket A, Reeves R, Simon M, Mackenzie M, Teboul L, Greenfield A, Guran T. Broad-spectrum XX and XY gonadal dysgenesis in patients with a homozygous L193S variant in PPP2R3C. Eur J Endocrinol 2021; 186:65-72. [PMID: 34714774 PMCID: PMC8679844 DOI: 10.1530/eje-21-0910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Homozygous and heterozygous variants in PPP2R3C are associated with syndromic 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis (Myo-Ectodermo-Gonadal Dysgenesis (MEGD) syndrome), and impaired spermatogenesis, respectively. This study expands the role of PPP2R3C in the aetiology of gonadal dysgenesis (GD). METHOD We sequenced the PPP2R3C gene in four new patients from three unrelated families. The clinical, laboratory, and molecular characteristics were investigated. We have also determined the requirement for Ppp2r3c in mice (C57BL6/N) using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. RESULTS A homozygous c.578T>C (p.L193S) PPP2R3C variant was identified in one 46,XX girl with primary gonadal insufficiency, two girls with 46,XY complete GD, and one undervirilised boy with 46,XY partial GD. The patients with complete GD had low gonadal and adrenal androgens, low anti-Müllerian hormone, and high follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone concentrations. All patients manifested characteristic features of MEGD syndrome. Heterozygous Ppp2r3c knockout mice appeared overtly normal and fertile. Inspection of homozygous embryos at 14.5, 9.5, and 8.5 days post coitum(dpc) revealed evidence of dead embryos. We conclude that loss of function of Ppp2r3c is not compatible with viability in mice and results in embryonic death from 7.5 dpc or earlier. CONCLUSION Our data indicate the essential roles for PPP2R3C in mouse and human development. Germline homozygous variants in human PPP2R3C are associated with distinctive syndromic GD of varying severity in both 46,XY and 46,XX individuals.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Animals
- Child
- Consanguinity
- Embryo, Mammalian
- Female
- Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XX/genetics
- Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XX/pathology
- Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY/genetics
- Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY/pathology
- Homozygote
- Humans
- Leucine/genetics
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Mutation, Missense
- Pedigree
- Pregnancy
- Protein Phosphatase 2/genetics
- Serine/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilek Cicek
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Nick Warr
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Harwell Institute, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Gozde Yesil
- Department of Medical Genetics, Istanbul University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hatice Kocak Eker
- Department of Medical Genetics, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - Firdevs Bas
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Istanbul University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sukran Poyrazoglu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Istanbul University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Feyza Darendeliler
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Istanbul University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gul Direk
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Nihal Hatipoglu
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Eltan
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zehra Yavas Abali
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Busra Gurpinar Tosun
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sare Betul Kaygusuz
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tuba Seven Menevse
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Didem Helvacioglu
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serap Turan
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Bereket
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Richard Reeves
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Harwell Institute, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Michelle Simon
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Harwell Institute, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Matthew Mackenzie
- Mary Lyon Centre, Medical Research Council Harwell Institute, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Lydia Teboul
- Mary Lyon Centre, Medical Research Council Harwell Institute, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Andy Greenfield
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Harwell Institute, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Tulay Guran
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
- Correspondence should be addressed to T Guran;
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Okashita N, Tachibana M. Transcriptional Regulation of the Y-Linked Mammalian Testis-Determining Gene SRY. Sex Dev 2021; 15:351-359. [PMID: 34583357 DOI: 10.1159/000519217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian male sex differentiation is triggered during embryogenesis by the activation of the Y-linked testis-determining gene SRY. Since insufficient or delayed expression of SRY results in XY gonadal sex reversal, accurate regulation of SRY is critical for male development in XY animals. In humans, dysregulation of SRY may cause disorders of sex development. Mouse Sry is the most intensively studied mammalian model of sex determination. Sry expression is controlled in a spatially and temporally stringent manner. Several transcription factors play a key role in sex determination as trans-acting factors for Sry expression. In addition, recent studies have shown that several epigenetic modifications of Sry are involved in sex determination as cis-acting factors for Sry expression. Herein, we review the current understanding of transcription factor- and epigenetic modifier-mediated regulation of SRY/Sry expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Okashita
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Makoto Tachibana
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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6
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Bagheri-Fam S, Combes AN, Ling CK, Wilhelm D. Heterozygous deletion of Sox9 in mouse mimics the gonadal sex reversal phenotype associated with campomelic dysplasia in humans. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:3781-3792. [PMID: 33305798 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous mutations in the human SOX9 gene cause the skeletal malformation syndrome campomelic dysplasia which in 75% of 46, XY individuals is associated with male-to-female sex reversal. Although studies in homozygous Sox9 knockout mouse models confirmed that SOX9 is critical for testis development, mice heterozygous for the Sox9-null allele were reported to develop normal testes. This led to the belief that the SOX9 dosage requirement for testis differentiation is different between humans, which often require both alleles, and mice, in which one allele is sufficient. However, in prior studies, gonadal phenotypes in heterozygous Sox9 XY mice were assessed only by either gross morphology, histological staining or analyzed on a mixed genetic background. In this study, we conditionally inactivated Sox9 in somatic cells of developing gonads using the Nr5a1-Cre mouse line on a pure C57BL/6 genetic background. Section and whole-mount immunofluorescence for testicular and ovarian markers showed that XY Sox9 heterozygous gonads developed as ovotestes. Quantitative droplet digital PCR confirmed a 50% reduction of Sox9 mRNA as well as partial sex reversal shown by an upregulation of ovarian genes. Our data show that haploinsufficiency of Sox9 can perturb testis development in mice, suggesting that mice may provide a more accurate model of human disorders/differences of sex development than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Bagheri-Fam
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Alexander N Combes
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Cheuk K Ling
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Dagmar Wilhelm
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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