1
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Gao J, Qin Y, Schimenti JC. Gene regulation during meiosis. Trends Genet 2024; 40:326-336. [PMID: 38177041 PMCID: PMC11003842 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Meiosis is essential for gamete production in all sexually reproducing organisms. It entails two successive cell divisions without DNA replication, producing haploid cells from diploid ones. This process involves complex morphological and molecular differentiation that varies across species and between sexes. Specialized genomic events like meiotic recombination and chromosome segregation are tightly regulated, including preparation for post-meiotic development. Research in model organisms, notably yeast, has shed light on the genetic and molecular aspects of meiosis and its regulation. Although mammalian meiosis research faces challenges, particularly in replicating gametogenesis in vitro, advances in genetic and genomic technologies are providing mechanistic insights. Here we review the genetics and molecular biology of meiotic gene expression control, focusing on mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Gao
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Yiwen Qin
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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2
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Li L, Ding X, Sheft AP, Schimenti JC. A high throughput CRISPR perturbation screen identifies epigenetic regulators impacting primordial germ cell development. bioRxiv 2024:2024.02.26.582097. [PMID: 38463983 PMCID: PMC10925113 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Certain environmental factors can impact fertility and reproductive parameters such as the number and quality of sperm and eggs. One possible mechanism is the perturbation of epigenetic landscapes in the germline. To explore this possibility, we conducted a CRISPRi screen of epigenetic-related genes to identify those that specifically perturb the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs), exploiting a highly scalable cytokine-free platform. Of the 701 genes screened, inhibition of 53 decreased the efficiency of PGCLC formation. NCOR2, a transcriptional repressor that acts via recruitment of Class I and Class IIa histone deacetylases (HDACs) to gene targets, was particularly potent in suppressing PGCLC differentiation. Consistent with evidence that histone deacetylation is crucial for germline differentiation, we found that the HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) valproic acid (VPA; an anti-convulsant) and sodium butyrate (SB; a widely-used dietary supplement) also suppressed ESC>PGCLC differentiation. Furthermore, exposure of developing mouse embryos to SB or VPA caused hypospermatogenesis. Transcriptome analyses of HDACi-treated, differentiating ESC>PGCLC cultures revealed suppression of germline-associated pathways and enhancement of somatic pathways. This work demonstrates the feasibility of conducting large-scale functional screens of genes, chemicals, or other agents that may impact germline development.
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3
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Ding X, Li L, Gao J, Yi D, Schimenti JC. Scalable and Efficient Generation of Mouse Primordial Germ Cell-like Cells. bioRxiv 2024:2024.02.15.580543. [PMID: 38405756 PMCID: PMC10888945 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.15.580543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the founder cells of the germline. The ability to generate PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) from pluripotent stem cells has advanced our knowledge of gametogenesis and holds promise for developing infertility treatments. However, generating an ample supply of PGCLCs for demanding applications such as high-throughput genetic screens has been a limitation. Here, we demonstrated that simultaneous overexpressing 4 transcriptional factors - Nanog and three PGC master regulators Prdm1, Prdm14 and Tfap2c - in suspended mouse epiblast like cells (EpiLCs) and formative embryonic stem cells (ESCs) results in efficient and cost-effective production of PGCLCs. The overexpression of Nanog enhances the PGC regulatory network and suppresses differentiation of somatic lineages, enabling a significant improvement in the efficiency of PGCLC production. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that differentiated PGCLCs exhibit similarities to in vivo PGCs and are more advanced compared to cytokine-induced PGCLCs. These differentiated PGCLCs could be sustained over prolonged periods of culture and could differentiate into spermatogonia-like cells in vitro. Importantly, the ability to produce PGCLCs at scale, without using costly cytokines, enables biochemical and functional genomic screens to dissect mechanisms of germ cell development and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbao Ding
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Liangdao Li
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Jingyi Gao
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Dain Yi
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853
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4
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Hung YH, Capeling M, Villanueva JW, Kanke M, Shanahan MT, Huang S, Cubitt R, Rinaldi VD, Schimenti JC, Spence JR, Sethupathy P. Integrative genome-scale analyses reveal post-transcriptional signatures of early human small intestinal development in a directed differentiation organoid model. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:641. [PMID: 37884859 PMCID: PMC10601309 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09743-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important post-transcriptional gene regulators controlling cellular lineage specification and differentiation during embryonic development, including the gastrointestinal system. However, miRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms involved in early embryonic development of human small intestine (SI) remains underexplored. To explore candidate roles for miRNAs in prenatal SI lineage specification in humans, we used a multi-omic analysis strategy in a directed differentiation model that programs human pluripotent stem cells toward the SI lineage. RESULTS We leveraged small RNA-seq to define the changing miRNA landscape, and integrated chromatin run-on sequencing (ChRO-seq) and RNA-seq to define genes subject to significant post-transcriptional regulation across the different stages of differentiation. Small RNA-seq profiling revealed temporal dynamics of miRNA signatures across different developmental events of the model, including definitive endoderm formation, SI lineage specification and SI regional patterning. Our multi-omic, integrative analyses showed further that the elevation of miR-182 and reduction of miR-375 are key events during SI lineage specification. We demonstrated that loss of miR-182 leads to an increase in the foregut master marker SOX2. We also used single-cell analyses in murine adult intestinal crypts to support a life-long role for miR-375 in the regulation of Zfp36l2. Finally, we uncovered opposing roles of SMAD4 and WNT signaling in regulating miR-375 expression during SI lineage specification. Beyond the mechanisms highlighted in this study, we also present a web-based application for exploration of post-transcriptional regulation and miRNA-mediated control in the context of early human SI development. CONCLUSION The present study uncovers a novel facet of miRNAs in regulating prenatal SI development. We leveraged multi-omic, systems biology approaches to discover candidate miRNA regulators associated with early SI developmental events in a human organoid model. In this study, we highlighted miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation relevant to the event of SI lineage specification. The candidate miRNA regulators that we identified for the other stages of SI development also warrant detailed characterization in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Han Hung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Meghan Capeling
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jonathan W Villanueva
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Matt Kanke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Michael T Shanahan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Sha Huang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rebecca Cubitt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Vera D Rinaldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jason R Spence
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Praveen Sethupathy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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Williams RM, Bloom JC, Robertus CM, Recknagel AK, Putnam D, Schimenti JC, Zipfel WR. Practical strategies for robust and inexpensive imaging of aqueous-cleared tissues. J Microsc 2023; 291:237-247. [PMID: 37413663 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Lightsheet microscopy offers an ideal method for imaging of large (mm-cm scale) biological tissues rendered transparent via optical clearing protocols. However the diversity of clearing technologies and tissue types, and how these are adapted to the microscope can make tissue mounting complicated and somewhat irreproducible. Tissue preparation for imaging can involve glues and or equilibration in a variety of expensive and/or proprietary formulations. Here we present practical advice for mounting and capping cleared tissues in optical cuvettes for macroscopic imaging, providing a standardised 3D cell that can be imaged routinely and relatively inexpensively. We show that acrylic cuvettes cause minimal spherical aberration with objective numerical apertures less than 0.65. Furthermore, we describe methods for aligning and assessing the light sheets, discriminating fluorescence from autofluorescence, identifying chromatic artefacts due to differential scattering and removing streak artefacts such that they do not confound downstream 3D object segmentation analyses, with mouse embryo, liver and heart imaging as demonstrated examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Williams
- BRC Imaging Facility, Institute of Biotechnology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Jordana C Bloom
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Cara M Robertus
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | | | - David Putnam
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Warren R Zipfel
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
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6
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Ding X, Singh P, Schimenti K, Tran TN, Fragoza R, Hardy J, Orwig KE, Olszewska M, Kurpisz MK, Yatsenko AN, Conrad DF, Yu H, Schimenti JC. In vivo versus in silico assessment of potentially pathogenic missense variants in human reproductive genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219925120. [PMID: 37459509 PMCID: PMC10372637 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219925120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a heterogeneous condition, with genetic causes thought to underlie a substantial fraction of cases. Genome sequencing is becoming increasingly important for genetic diagnosis of diseases including idiopathic infertility; however, most rare or minor alleles identified in patients are variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Interpreting the functional impacts of VUS is challenging but profoundly important for clinical management and genetic counseling. To determine the consequences of these variants in key fertility genes, we functionally evaluated 11 missense variants in the genes ANKRD31, BRDT, DMC1, EXO1, FKBP6, MCM9, M1AP, MEI1, MSH4 and SEPT12 by generating genome-edited mouse models. Nine variants were classified as deleterious by most functional prediction algorithms, and two disrupted a protein-protein interaction (PPI) in the yeast two hybrid (Y2H) assay. Though these genes are essential for normal meiosis or spermiogenesis in mice, only one variant, observed in the MCM9 gene of a male infertility patient, compromised fertility or gametogenesis in the mouse models. To explore the disconnect between predictions and outcomes, we compared pathogenicity calls of missense variants made by ten widely used algorithms to 1) those annotated in ClinVar and 2) those evaluated in mice. All the algorithms performed poorly in terms of predicting the effects of human missense variants modeled in mice. These studies emphasize caution in the genetic diagnoses of infertile patients based primarily on pathogenicity prediction algorithms and emphasize the need for alternative and efficient in vitro or in vivo functional validation models for more effective and accurate VUS description to either pathogenic or benign categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbao Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Priti Singh
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Kerry Schimenti
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Tina N. Tran
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Robert Fragoza
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Jimmaline Hardy
- School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA15213
| | - Kyle E. Orwig
- School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA15213
| | - Marta Olszewska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan60-479, Poland
| | - Maciej K. Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan60-479, Poland
| | - Alexander N. Yatsenko
- School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA15213
| | - Donald F. Conrad
- Oregon Health & Science University, Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR97006
| | - Haiyuan Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - John C. Schimenti
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
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7
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Ding X, Schimenti JC. Female infertility from oocyte maturation arrest: assembling the genetic puzzle. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e17729. [PMID: 37073822 PMCID: PMC10245026 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202317729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproduction procedures often encounter an issue called oocyte maturation arrest (OMA), which is manifested as failed IVF/ICSI attempts using oocytes from some infertile women. In this issue of EMBO Molecular Medicine, Wang et al identify infertile women bearing novel DNA sequence variants in a gene called PABPC1L, which is essential for translation of maternal mRNAs. By conducting a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments, they demonstrated certain variants as being causal for OMA, confirming a conserved requirement for PABPC1L in human oocyte maturation. This study offers a promising therapeutic target for treating OMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbao Ding
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineCornell UniversityIthacaNYUSA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineCornell UniversityIthacaNYUSA
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8
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Fulton SL, Wenderski W, Lepack AE, Eagle AL, Fanutza T, Bastle RM, Ramakrishnan A, Hays EC, Neal A, Bendl J, Farrelly LA, Al-Kachak A, Lyu Y, Cetin B, Chan JC, Tran TN, Neve RL, Roper RJ, Brennand KJ, Roussos P, Schimenti JC, Friedman AK, Shen L, Blitzer RD, Robison AJ, Crabtree GR, Maze I. Rescue of deficits by Brwd1 copy number restoration in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6384. [PMID: 36289231 PMCID: PMC9606253 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34200-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
With an incidence of ~1 in 800 births, Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal condition linked to intellectual disability worldwide. While the genetic basis of DS has been identified as a triplication of chromosome 21 (HSA21), the genes encoded from HSA21 that directly contribute to cognitive deficits remain incompletely understood. Here, we found that the HSA21-encoded chromatin effector, BRWD1, was upregulated in neurons derived from iPS cells from an individual with Down syndrome and brain of trisomic mice. We showed that selective copy number restoration of Brwd1 in trisomic animals rescued deficits in hippocampal LTP, cognition and gene expression. We demonstrated that Brwd1 tightly binds the BAF chromatin remodeling complex, and that increased Brwd1 expression promotes BAF genomic mistargeting. Importantly, Brwd1 renormalization rescued aberrant BAF localization, along with associated changes in chromatin accessibility and gene expression. These findings establish BRWD1 as a key epigenomic mediator of normal neurodevelopment and an important contributor to DS-related phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha L. Fulton
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Wendy Wenderski
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305 USA ,grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305 USA ,grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305 USA ,grid.168010.e0000000419368956Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305 USA
| | - Ashley E. Lepack
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Andrew L. Eagle
- grid.17088.360000 0001 2150 1785Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Tomas Fanutza
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Ryan M. Bastle
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Emma C. Hays
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Arianna Neal
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Jaroslav Bendl
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Center for Disease Neuroepigenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Lorna A. Farrelly
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Amni Al-Kachak
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Yang Lyu
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Bulent Cetin
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Jennifer C. Chan
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Tina N. Tran
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA ,grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Rachael L. Neve
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Randall J. Roper
- grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
| | - Kristen J. Brennand
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,grid.47100.320000000419368710Present Address: Departments of Psychiatry and Genetics, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 065109 USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Center for Disease Neuroepigenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,J.J. Peters Veterans Affairs Hospital, Bronx, NY 10468 USA
| | - John C. Schimenti
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA ,grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Allyson K. Friedman
- grid.257167.00000 0001 2183 6649Department of Biological Sciences, City University of New York-Hunter College, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Li Shen
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Robert D. Blitzer
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Alfred J. Robison
- grid.17088.360000 0001 2150 1785Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Gerald R. Crabtree
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305 USA ,grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305 USA ,grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305 USA ,grid.168010.e0000000419368956Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305 USA
| | - Ian Maze
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
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9
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Schimenti JC, Huang R, Li L, James R. Genome Maintenance in Mammalian Stem Cells. Annu Rev Genet 2022; 56:145-164. [PMID: 35977408 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-072920-022154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Various stem cells in the body are tasked with maintaining tissue homeostasis throughout the life of an organism and thus must be resilient to intrinsic and extrinsic challenges such as infection and injury. Crucial to these challenges is genome maintenance because a high mutational load and persistent DNA lesions impact the production of essential gene products at proper levels and compromise optimal stem cell renewal and differentiation. Genome maintenance requires a robust and well-regulated DNA damage response suited to maintaining specific niches and tissues. In this review, we explore the similarities and differences between diverse stem cell types derived from (or preceding) all germ layers, including extraembryonic tissues. These cells utilize different strategies, including implementation of robust repair mechanisms, modulation of cell cycle checkpoints best suited to eliminating compromised cells, minimization of cell divisions, and differentiation in response to excessive damage. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Genetics, Volume 56 is November 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Science and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Biomedical Science and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;
| | - Liangdao Li
- Department of Biomedical Science and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;
| | - Ryan James
- Department of Biomedical Science and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;
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10
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Rooney AM, Ayobami OO, Kelly NH, Schimenti JC, Ross FP, van der Meulen MCH. Bone mass and adaptation to mechanical loading are sexually dimorphic in adult osteoblast-specific ERα knockout mice. Bone 2022; 158:116349. [PMID: 35123146 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2022.116349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) regulates bone mass and is implicated in bone tissue's response to mechanical loading. The effects of ERα deletion in mice depend on sex, anatomical location, and the cellular stage at which ERα is removed. Few studies have investigated the effect of age on the role of ERα in skeletal maintenance and functional adaptation. We previously demonstrated that bone mass and adaptation to loading were altered in growing 10-week-old female and male mice lacking ERα in mature osteoblasts and osteocytes (pOC-ERαKO). Here our goal was to determine the effects of ERα and mechanical loading in skeletally-mature adult mice. We subjected 26-week-old skeletally-mature adult pOC-ERαKO and littermate control (LC) mice of both sexes to two weeks of in vivo cyclic tibial loading. ERα deletion in male mice did not alter bone mass or the response to loading. Adult female pOC-ERαKO mice had reduced cancellous and cortical bone mass and increased adaptation to high-magnitude mechanical loading compared to LC mice. Thus, ERα deletion from mature osteoblasts reduced the bone mass and increased the mechanoadaptation of adult female but not male mice. Additionally, compared to our previous work in young mice, adult female mice had greatly reduced mechanoadaptation and adult male mice retained most of their mechanoadaptation with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Rooney
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Olufunmilayo O Ayobami
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Natalie H Kelly
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - John C Schimenti
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853, NY, USA.
| | - F Patrick Ross
- Research Division, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Marjolein C H van der Meulen
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Research Division, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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11
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Singh P, Fragoza R, Blengini CS, Tran TN, Pannafino G, Al-Sweel N, Schimenti KJ, Schindler K, Alani EA, Yu H, Schimenti JC. Human MLH1/3 variants causing aneuploidy, pregnancy loss, and premature reproductive aging. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5005. [PMID: 34408140 PMCID: PMC8373927 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25028-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic aneuploidy from mis-segregation of chromosomes during meiosis causes pregnancy loss. Proper disjunction of homologous chromosomes requires the mismatch repair (MMR) genes MLH1 and MLH3, essential in mice for fertility. Variants in these genes can increase colorectal cancer risk, yet the reproductive impacts are unclear. To determine if MLH1/3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human populations could cause reproductive abnormalities, we use computational predictions, yeast two-hybrid assays, and MMR and recombination assays in yeast, selecting nine MLH1 and MLH3 variants to model in mice via genome editing. We identify seven alleles causing reproductive defects in mice including female subfertility and male infertility. Remarkably, in females these alleles cause age-dependent decreases in litter size and increased embryo resorption, likely a consequence of fewer chiasmata that increase univalents at meiotic metaphase I. Our data suggest that hypomorphic alleles of meiotic recombination genes can predispose females to increased incidence of pregnancy loss from gamete aneuploidy. Proper meiotic chromosome segregation requires mismatch repair genes MLH1 and MLH3, of which variants occur in the human population. Here, the authors use computational predictions and yeast assays to select human MLH1/3 variants for modelling in mice, observing reproductive defects from abnormal levels of crossing over.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Singh
- Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Preclinical Modeling Core Lab, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robert Fragoza
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Tina N Tran
- Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Gianno Pannafino
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Najla Al-Sweel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kerry J Schimenti
- Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Eric A Alani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Haiyuan Yu
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA. .,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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12
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Abstract
Genome maintenance during embryogenesis is critical, because defects during this period can be perpetuated and thus have a long-term impact on individual's health and longevity. Nevertheless, genome instability is normal during certain aspects of embryonic development, indicating that there is a balance between the exigencies of timely cell proliferation and mutation prevention. In particular, early embryos possess unique cellular and molecular features that underscore the challenge of having an appropriate balance. Here, we discuss genome instability during embryonic development, the mechanisms used in various cell compartments to manage genomic stress and address outstanding questions regarding the balance between genome maintenance mechanisms in key cell types that are important for adulthood and progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mumingjiang Munisha
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - John C Schimenti
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
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13
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Kusari F, Mihola O, Schimenti JC, Trachtulec Z. Meiotic epigenetic factor PRDM9 impacts sperm quality of hybrid mice. Reproduction 2021; 160:53-64. [PMID: 32272448 DOI: 10.1530/rep-19-0528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Reduced fertility of male mouse hybrids relative to their parents, or hybrid sterility, is governed by the hybrid sterility 1 (Hst1) locus. Rescue experiments with transgenes carrying sequences within or near Hst1 manifested that Hst1 contains the gene encoding meiosis-specific histone methyltransferase PRDM9. The Prdm9 gene is responsible for partial meiotic arrest, testicular atrophy, and low sperm count in (C57BL/6J x PWD)F1 mouse hybrids. Here we report that these male hybrids suffer an additional reproductive disadvantage, decreased sperm quality, which is (i) further exacerbated by the introduction of long transgenes carrying sequences from Hst1 with incomplete Prdm9 into their genome and (ii) controlled by the Prdm9 dosage. These transgenic male hybrids displayed the features of severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), a human infertility syndrome characterized by a low number of spermatozoa with poor motility and morphological abnormalities. Analysis of spermiogenesis in these mice revealed acrosome detachment, aberrant elongation and condensation of the nucleus. As a result, the transgenic sperm had acrosome malformations, abnormal chromatin packaging, and fragmented DNA with elevated base oxidation, revealed by using multiple methods. Heterozygosity for one null Prdm9 allele improved meiotic progression and sperm quality of both non- and transgenic hybrids. Our results indicate that genomic analysis of OAT patients should include consideration of allelic variants in PRDM9, and our transgenic models can serve as tools to understand the diverse molecular processes that, when perturbed, can cause this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fitore Kusari
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Mihola
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - John C Schimenti
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Zdenek Trachtulec
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Czech Republic
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14
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Yamulla RJ, Nalubola S, Flesken-Nikitin A, Nikitin AY, Schimenti JC. Most Commonly Mutated Genes in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma Are Nonessential for Ovarian Surface Epithelial Stem Cell Transformation. Cell Rep 2021; 32:108086. [PMID: 32877668 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths of women in the United States. Disease-associated mutations have been identified by the Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network. However, aside from mutations in TP53 or the RB1 pathway that are common in HGSOC, the contributions of mutation combinations are unclear. Here, we report CRISPR mutagenesis of 20 putative HGSOC driver genes to identify combinatorial disruptions of genes that transform either ovarian surface epithelium stem cells (OSE-SCs) or non-stem cells (OSE-NSs). Our results support the OSE-SC theory of HGSOC initiation and suggest that most commonly mutated genes in HGSOC have no effect on OSE-SC transformation initiation. Our results indicate that disruption of TP53 and PTEN, combined with RB1 disruption, constitutes a core set of mutations driving efficient transformation in vitro. The combined data may contribute to more accurate modeling of HGSOC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Joseph Yamulla
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Shreya Nalubola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Andrea Flesken-Nikitin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Alexander Yu Nikitin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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15
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Gao P, Lyu Q, Ghanam AR, Lazzarotto CR, Newby GA, Zhang W, Choi M, Slivano OJ, Holden K, Walker JA, Kadina AP, Munroe RJ, Abratte CM, Schimenti JC, Liu DR, Tsai SQ, Long X, Miano JM. Prime editing in mice reveals the essentiality of a single base in driving tissue-specific gene expression. Genome Biol 2021; 22:83. [PMID: 33722289 PMCID: PMC7962346 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02304-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most single nucleotide variants (SNVs) occur in noncoding sequence where millions of transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) reside. Here, a comparative analysis of CRISPR-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) versus the recently reported prime editing 2 (PE2) system was carried out in mice over a TFBS called a CArG box in the Tspan2 promoter. RESULTS Quantitative RT-PCR showed loss of Tspan2 mRNA in aorta and bladder, but not heart or brain, of mice homozygous for an HDR-mediated three base pair substitution in the Tspan2 CArG box. Using the same protospacer, mice homozygous for a PE2-mediated single-base substitution in the Tspan2 CArG box displayed similar cell-specific loss of Tspan2 mRNA; expression of an overlapping long noncoding RNA was also nearly abolished in aorta and bladder. Immuno-RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization validated loss of Tspan2 in vascular smooth muscle cells of HDR and PE2 CArG box mutant mice. Targeted sequencing demonstrated variable frequencies of on-target editing in all PE2 and HDR founders. However, whereas no on-target indels were detected in any of the PE2 founders, all HDR founders showed varying levels of on-target indels. Off-target analysis by targeted sequencing revealed mutations in many HDR founders, but none in PE2 founders. CONCLUSIONS PE2 directs high-fidelity editing of a single base in a TFBS leading to cell-specific loss in expression of an mRNA/long noncoding RNA gene pair. The PE2 platform expands the genome editing toolbox for modeling and correcting relevant noncoding SNVs in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Gao
- Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912 USA
| | - Qing Lyu
- Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912 USA
| | - Amr R. Ghanam
- Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912 USA
| | - Cicera R. Lazzarotto
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38195 USA
| | - Gregory A. Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912 USA
| | - Mihyun Choi
- Department of Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208 USA
| | - Orazio J. Slivano
- Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912 USA
| | - Kevin Holden
- Synthego Corporation, Redwood City, CA 94025 USA
| | | | | | - Rob J. Munroe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | | | - John C. Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - David R. Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Shengdar Q. Tsai
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38195 USA
| | - Xiaochun Long
- Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912 USA
| | - Joseph M. Miano
- Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912 USA
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16
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Ding X, Schimenti JC. Strategies to Identify Genetic Variants Causing Infertility. Trends Mol Med 2021; 27:792-806. [PMID: 33431240 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Genetic causes are thought to underlie about half of infertility cases, but understanding the genetic bases has been a major challenge. Modern genomics tools allow more sophisticated exploration of genetic causes of infertility through population, family-based, and individual studies. Nevertheless, potential therapies based on genetic diagnostics will be limited until there is certainty regarding the causality of genetic variants identified in an individual. Genome modulation and editing technologies have revolutionized our ability to functionally test such variants, and also provide a potential means for clinical correction of infertility variants. This review addresses strategies being used to identify causative variants of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbao Ding
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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17
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Ding X, Fragoza R, Singh P, Zhang S, Yu H, Schimenti JC. Variants in RABL2A causing male infertility and ciliopathy. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:3402-3411. [PMID: 33075816 PMCID: PMC7749704 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 7% of men worldwide suffer from infertility, with sperm abnormalities being the most common defect. Though genetic causes are thought to underlie a substantial fraction of idiopathic cases, the actual molecular bases are usually undetermined. Because the consequences of most genetic variants in populations are unknown, this complicates genetic diagnosis even after genome sequencing of patients. Some patients with ciliopathies, including primary ciliary dyskinesia and Bardet-Biedl syndrome, also suffer from infertility because cilia and sperm flagella share several characteristics. Here, we identified two deleterious alleles of RABL2A, a gene essential for normal function of cilia and flagella. Our in silico predictions and in vitro assays suggest that both alleles destabilize the protein. We constructed and analyzed mice homozygous for these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, Rabl2L119F (rs80006029) and Rabl2V158F (rs200121688), and found that they exhibit ciliopathy-associated disorders including male infertility, early growth retardation, excessive weight gain in adulthood, heterotaxia, pre-axial polydactyly, neural tube defects and hydrocephalus. Our study provides a paradigm for triaging candidate infertility variants in the population for in vivo functional validation, using computational, in vitro and in vivo approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbao Ding
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Robert Fragoza
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Priti Singh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Haiyuan Yu
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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18
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Abstract
In this study, Bloom and Schimenti examine the response of primordial germ cells to DNA damage. Using both environmental and genetic stresses, the authors reveal the importance of the G1 checkpoint in preventing accumulation of complex mutations in the germline, and the differentiation of the DNA damage response during germ cell development. Germ cells specified during fetal development form the foundation of the mammalian germline. These primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo rapid proliferation, yet the germline is highly refractory to mutation accumulation compared with somatic cells. Importantly, while the presence of endogenous or exogenous DNA damage has the potential to impact PGCs, there is little known about how these cells respond to stressors. To better understand the DNA damage response (DDR) in these cells, we exposed pregnant mice to ionizing radiation (IR) at specific gestational time points and assessed the DDR in PGCs. Our results show that PGCs prior to sex determination lack a G1 cell cycle checkpoint. Additionally, the response to IR-induced DNA damage differs between female and male PGCs post-sex determination. IR of female PGCs caused uncoupling of germ cell differentiation and meiotic initiation, while male PGCs exhibited repression of piRNA metabolism and transposon derepression. We also used whole-genome single-cell DNA sequencing to reveal that genetic rescue of DNA repair-deficient germ cells (Fancm−/−) leads to increased mutation incidence and biases. Importantly, our work uncovers novel insights into how PGCs exposed to DNA damage can become developmentally defective, leaving only those genetically fit cells to establish the adult germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordana C Bloom
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
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19
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Palmer N, Talib SZA, Singh P, Goh CMF, Liu K, Schimenti JC, Kaldis P. A novel function for CDK2 activity at meiotic crossover sites. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000903. [PMID: 33075054 PMCID: PMC7595640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity in offspring is induced by meiotic recombination, which is initiated between homologs at >200 sites originating from meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs). Of this initial pool, only 1-2 DSBs per homolog pair will be designated to form meiotic crossovers (COs), where reciprocal genetic exchange occurs between parental chromosomes. Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is known to localize to so-called "late recombination nodules" (LRNs) marking incipient CO sites. However, the role of CDK2 kinase activity in the process of CO formation remains uncertain. Here, we describe the phenotype of 2 Cdk2 point mutants with elevated or decreased activity, respectively. Elevated CDK2 activity was associated with increased numbers of LRN-associated proteins, including CDK2 itself and the MutL homolog 1 (MLH1) component of the MutLγ complex, but did not lead to increased numbers of COs. In contrast, reduced CDK2 activity leads to the complete absence of CO formation during meiotic prophase I. Our data suggest an important role for CDK2 in regulating MLH1 focus numbers and that the activity of this kinase is a key regulatory factor in the formation of meiotic COs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Palmer
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology, and Research), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - S. Zakiah A. Talib
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology, and Research), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Priti Singh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Christine M. F. Goh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology, and Research), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Kui Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong—Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - John C. Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Philipp Kaldis
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology, and Research), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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20
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Schimenti JC. Conditional surrender in one generation: determining the reproductive roles of mouse embryo lethal genes by embryo complementation. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:8-10. [PMID: 33057575 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory mouse is the most widely used animal model for studying the genetics and biology of mammalian development and reproduction. Embryonic stem cell (ESC) gene targeting technology, and the sophisticated genomic manipulations it allowed, was unique to this organism for a long period of time; this was a major factor in the mouse's rise to pre-eminence as a model system over the past three decades or so. The recent advent of CRISPR/Cas9 technology has democratized the application of genome editing to essentially all organisms. Nevertheless, the scientific infrastructure behind the mouse still makes it the organism of choice for studying molecular mechanisms of mammalian development, and for modeling human development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Schimenti
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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21
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Tran TN, Schimenti JC. A segregating human allele of SPO11 modeled in mice disrupts timing and amounts of meiotic recombination, causing oligospermia and a decreased ovarian reserve†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:347-359. [PMID: 31074776 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in medical genetics is to characterize variants of unknown significance (VUS). Doing so would help delineate underlying causes of disease and the design of customized treatments. Infertility has presented an especially difficult challenge with respect to not only determining if a given patient has a genetic basis, but also to identify the causative genetic factor(s). Though genome sequencing can identify candidate variants, in silico predictions of causation are not always sufficiently reliable so as to be actionable. Thus, experimental validation is crucial. Here, we describe the phenotype of mice containing a non-synonymous (proline-to-threonine at position 306) change in Spo11, corresponding to human SNP rs185545661. SPO11 is a topoisomerase-like protein that is essential for meiosis because it induces DNA double stranded breaks (DSBs) that stimulate pairing and recombination of homologous chromosomes. Although both male and female Spo11P306T/P306T mice were fertile, they had reduced sperm and oocytes, respectively. Spermatocyte chromosomes exhibited synapsis defects (especially between the X and Y chromosomes), elevated apoptotic cells, persistent markers of DSBs, and most importantly, fewer Type 1 crossovers that causes some chromosomes to have none. Spo11P306T/- mice were sterile and made fewer meiotic DSBs than Spo11+/- animals, suggesting that the Spo11P306T allele is a hypomorph and likely is delayed in making sufficient DSBs in a timely fashion. If the consequences are recapitulated in humans, it would predict phenotypes of premature ovarian failure, reduced sperm counts, and possible increased number of aneuploid gametes. These results emphasize the importance of deep phenotyping in order to accurately assess the impact of VUSs in reproduction genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina N Tran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
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22
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Bloom JC, Schimenti JC. A reporter mouse for in vivo detection of DNA damage in embryonic germ cells. Genesis 2020; 58:e23368. [PMID: 32343484 PMCID: PMC7897368 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining genome integrity in the germline is essential for survival and propagation of a species. In both mouse and human, germ cells originate during fetal development and are hypersensitive to both endogenous and exogenous DNA damaging agents. Currently, mechanistic understanding of how primordial germ cells respond to DNA damage is limited in part by the tools available to study these cells. We developed a mouse transgenic reporter strain expressing a 53BP1-mCherry fusion protein under the control of the Oct4ΔPE embryonic germ cell-specific promoter. This reporter binds sites of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) on chromatin, forming foci. Using ionizing radiation as a DNA DSB-inducing agent, we show that the transgenic reporter expresses specifically in the embryonic germ cells of both sexes and forms DNA damage induced foci in both a dose- and time-dependent manner. The dynamic time-sensitive and dose-sensitive DNA damage detection ability of this transgenic reporter, in combination with its specific expression in embryonic germ cells, makes it a versatile and valuable tool for increasing our understanding of DNA damage responses in these unique cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordana C. Bloom
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - John C. Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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23
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Tran TN, Martinez J, Schimenti JC. A predicted deleterious allele of the essential meiosis gene MND1, present in ~ 3% of East Asians, does not disrupt reproduction in mice. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:668-673. [PMID: 31393579 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a major health problem affecting ~15% of couples worldwide. Except for cases involving readily detectable chromosome aberrations, confident identification of a causative genetic defect is problematic. Despite the advent of genome sequencing for diagnostic purposes, the preponderance of segregating genetic variants complicates identification of culprit genetic alleles or mutations. Many algorithms have been developed to predict the effects of 'variants of unknown significance', typically single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), but these predictions are not sufficiently accurate for clinical action. As part of a project to identify population variants that impact fertility, we have been generating clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 edited mouse models of suspect SNPs in genes that are known to be required for fertility in mice. Here, we present data on a non-synonymous (amino acid altering) SNP (rs140107488) in the meiosis gene Mnd1, which is predicted bioinformatically to be deleterious to protein function. We report that when modeled in mice, this allele (MND1K85M), which is present at an allele frequency of ~ 3% in East Asians, has no discernable effect upon fertility, fecundity or gametogenesis, although it may cause sex skewing of progeny from homozygous males. In sum, assuming the mouse model accurately reflects the impact of this variant in humans, rs140107488 appears to be a benign allele that can be eliminated or de-prioritized in clinical genomic analyses of infertility patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina N Tran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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24
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Rinaldi VD, Bloom JC, Schimenti JC. Oocyte Elimination Through DNA Damage Signaling from CHK1/CHK2 to p53 and p63. Genetics 2020; 215:373-378. [PMID: 32273296 PMCID: PMC7268994 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.120.303182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic organisms have evolved mechanisms to prevent the accumulation of cells bearing genetic aberrations. This is especially crucial for the germline, because fecundity and fitness of progeny would be adversely affected by an excessively high mutational incidence. The process of meiosis poses unique problems for mutation avoidance because of the requirement for SPO11-induced programmed double-strand breaks (DSBs) in recombination-driven pairing and segregation of homologous chromosomes. Mouse meiocytes bearing unrepaired meiotic DSBs or unsynapsed chromosomes are eliminated before completing meiotic prophase I. In previous work, we showed that checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2; CHEK2), a canonical DNA damage response protein, is crucial for eliminating not only oocytes defective in meiotic DSB repair (e.g., Trip13Gt mutants), but also Spo11-/- oocytes that are defective in homologous chromosome synapsis and accumulate a threshold level of spontaneous DSBs. However, rescue of such oocytes by Chk2 deficiency was incomplete, raising the possibility that a parallel checkpoint pathway(s) exists. Here, we show that mouse oocytes lacking both p53 (TRP53) and the oocyte-exclusive isoform of p63, TAp63, protects nearly all Spo11-/- and Trip13Gt/Gt oocytes from elimination. We present evidence that checkpoint kinase I (CHK1; CHEK1), which is known to signal to TRP53, also becomes activated by persistent DSBs in oocytes, and to an increased degree when CHK2 is absent. The combined data indicate that nearly all oocytes reaching a threshold level of unrepaired DSBs are eliminated by a semiredundant pathway of CHK1/CHK2 signaling to TRP53/TAp63.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera D Rinaldi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | - Jordana C Bloom
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
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25
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Guan Y, Leu NA, Ma J, Chmátal L, Ruthel G, Bloom JC, Lampson MA, Schimenti JC, Luo M, Wang PJ. SKP1 drives the prophase I to metaphase I transition during male meiosis. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eaaz2129. [PMID: 32232159 PMCID: PMC7096161 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz2129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The meiotic prophase I to metaphase I (PI/MI) transition requires chromosome desynapsis and metaphase competence acquisition. However, control of these major meiotic events is poorly understood. Here, we identify an essential role for SKP1, a core subunit of the SKP1-Cullin-F-box (SCF) ubiquitin E3 ligase, in the PI/MI transition. SKP1 localizes to synapsed chromosome axes and evicts HORMAD proteins from these regions in meiotic spermatocytes. SKP1-deficient spermatocytes display premature desynapsis, precocious pachytene exit, loss of PLK1 and BUB1 at centromeres, but persistence of HORMAD, γH2AX, RPA2, and MLH1 in diplonema. Strikingly, SKP1-deficient spermatocytes show sharply reduced MPF activity and fail to enter MI despite treatment with okadaic acid. SKP1-deficient oocytes exhibit desynapsis, chromosome misalignment, and progressive postnatal loss. Therefore, SKP1 maintains synapsis in meiosis of both sexes. Furthermore, our results support a model where SKP1 functions as the long-sought intrinsic metaphase competence factor to orchestrate MI entry during male meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjuan Guan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - N. Adrian Leu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jun Ma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 433 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lukáš Chmátal
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 433 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gordon Ruthel
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jordana C. Bloom
- Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Michael A. Lampson
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 433 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Mengcheng Luo
- Department of Tissue and Embryology, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - P. Jeremy Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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26
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Mihola O, Kobets T, Krivankova K, Linhartova E, Gasic S, Schimenti JC, Trachtulec Z. Copy-number variation introduced by long transgenes compromises mouse male fertility independently of pachytene checkpoints. Chromosoma 2020; 129:69-82. [PMID: 31940063 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-019-00730-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Long transgenes are often used in mammalian genetics, e.g., to rescue mutations in large genes. In the course of experiments addressing the genetic basis of hybrid sterility caused by meiotic defects in mice bearing different alleles of Prdm9, we discovered that introduction of copy-number variation (CNV) via two independent insertions of long transgenes containing incomplete Prdm9 decreased testicular weight and epididymal sperm count. Transgenic animals displayed increased occurrence of seminiferous tubules with apoptotic cells at 18 days postpartum (dpp) corresponding to late meiotic prophase I, but not at 21 dpp. We hypothesized that long transgene insertions could cause asynapsis, but the immunocytochemical data revealed that the adult transgenic testes carried a similar percentage of asynaptic pachytene spermatocytes as the controls. These transgenic spermatocytes displayed less crossovers but similar numbers of unrepaired meiotic breaks. Despite slightly increased frequency of metaphase I spermatocytes with univalent chromosome(s) and reduced numbers of metaphase II spermatocytes, cytological studies did not reveal increased apoptosis in tubules containing the metaphase spermatocytes, but found an increased percentage of tubules carrying apoptotic spermatids. Sperm counts of subfertile animals inversely correlated with the transcription levels of the Psmb1 gene encoded within these two transgenes. The effect of the transgenes was dependent on sex and genetic background. Our results imply that the fertility of transgenic hybrid animals is not compromised by the impaired meiotic synapsis of homologous chromosomes, but can be negatively influenced by the increased expression of the introduced genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Mihola
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Tatyana Kobets
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Klara Krivankova
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eliska Linhartova
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Srdjan Gasic
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853-6401, NY, USA
| | - Zdenek Trachtulec
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
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27
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Singh P, Patel RK, Palmer N, Grenier JK, Paduch D, Kaldis P, Grimson A, Schimenti JC. CDK2 kinase activity is a regulator of male germ cell fate. Development 2019; 146:dev180273. [PMID: 31582414 PMCID: PMC6857589 DOI: 10.1242/dev.180273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The ability of men to remain fertile throughout their lives depends upon establishment of a spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool from gonocyte progenitors, and thereafter balancing SSC renewal versus terminal differentiation. Here, we report that precise regulation of the cell cycle is crucial for this balance. Whereas cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) is not necessary for mouse viability or gametogenesis stages prior to meiotic prophase I, mice bearing a deregulated allele (Cdk2Y15S ) are severely deficient in spermatogonial differentiation. This allele disrupts an inhibitory phosphorylation site (Tyr15) for the kinase WEE1. Remarkably, Cdk2Y15S/Y15S mice possess abnormal clusters of mitotically active SSC-like cells, but these are eventually removed by apoptosis after failing to differentiate properly. Analyses of lineage markers, germ cell proliferation over time, and single cell RNA-seq data revealed delayed and defective differentiation of gonocytes into SSCs. Biochemical and genetic data demonstrated that Cdk2Y15S is a gain-of-function allele causing elevated kinase activity, which underlies these differentiation defects. Our results demonstrate that precise regulation of CDK2 kinase activity in male germ cell development is crucial for the gonocyte-to-spermatogonia transition and long-term spermatogenic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Singh
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ravi K Patel
- Cornell University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Nathan Palmer
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jennifer K Grenier
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Darius Paduch
- Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Urology, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Philipp Kaldis
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Andrew Grimson
- Cornell University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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28
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Fragoza R, Das J, Wierbowski SD, Liang J, Tran TN, Liang S, Beltran JF, Rivera-Erick CA, Ye K, Wang TY, Yao L, Mort M, Stenson PD, Cooper DN, Wei X, Keinan A, Schimenti JC, Clark AG, Yu H. Extensive disruption of protein interactions by genetic variants across the allele frequency spectrum in human populations. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4141. [PMID: 31515488 PMCID: PMC6742646 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11959-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Each human genome carries tens of thousands of coding variants. The extent to which this variation is functional and the mechanisms by which they exert their influence remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, we leverage the ExAC database of 60,706 human exomes to investigate experimentally the impact of 2009 missense single nucleotide variants (SNVs) across 2185 protein-protein interactions, generating interaction profiles for 4797 SNV-interaction pairs, of which 421 SNVs segregate at > 1% allele frequency in human populations. We find that interaction-disruptive SNVs are prevalent at both rare and common allele frequencies. Furthermore, these results suggest that 10.5% of missense variants carried per individual are disruptive, a higher proportion than previously reported; this indicates that each individual's genetic makeup may be significantly more complex than expected. Finally, we demonstrate that candidate disease-associated mutations can be identified through shared interaction perturbations between variants of interest and known disease mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Fragoza
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jishnu Das
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Shayne D Wierbowski
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jin Liang
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Tina N Tran
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Siqi Liang
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Juan F Beltran
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Christen A Rivera-Erick
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Kaixiong Ye
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Ting-Yi Wang
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Li Yao
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Matthew Mort
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Peter D Stenson
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - David N Cooper
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Xiaomu Wei
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Alon Keinan
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Andrew G Clark
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Haiyuan Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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29
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Bloom JC, Loehr AR, Schimenti JC, Weiss RS. Germline genome protection: implications for gamete quality and germ cell tumorigenesis. Andrology 2019; 7:516-526. [PMID: 31119900 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germ cells have a unique and critical role as the conduit for hereditary information and therefore employ multiple strategies to protect genomic integrity and avoid mutations. Unlike somatic cells, which often respond to DNA damage by arresting the cell cycle and conducting DNA repair, germ cells as well as long-lived pluripotent stem cells typically avoid the use of error-prone repair mechanisms and favor apoptosis, reducing the risk of genetic alterations. Testicular germ cell tumors, the most common cancers of young men, arise from pre-natal germ cells. OBJECTIVES To summarize the current understanding of DNA damage response mechanisms in pre-meiotic germ cells and to discuss how they impact both the origins of testicular germ cell tumors and their remarkable responsiveness to genotoxic chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a review of literature gathered from PubMed regarding the DNA damage response properties of testicular germ cell tumors and the germ cells from which they arise, as well as the influence of these mechanisms on therapeutic responses by testicular germ cell tumors. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of how the developmental origins of male germ cells and their inherent germ cell-like DNA damage response directly impact the development and therapeutic sensitivity of testicular germ cell tumors. CONCLUSIONS The DNA damage response of germ cells directly impacts the development and therapeutic sensitivity of testicular germ cell tumors. Recent advances in the study of primordial germ cells, post-natal mitotically dividing germ cells, and pluripotent stem cells will allow for new investigations into the initiation, progression, and treatment of testicular germ cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Bloom
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - A R Loehr
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - J C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - R S Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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30
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McNairn AJ, Chuang CH, Bloom JC, Wallace MD, Schimenti JC. Female-biased embryonic death from inflammation induced by genomic instability. Nature 2019; 567:105-108. [PMID: 30787433 PMCID: PMC6497049 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-0936-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genomic instability (GIN) can trigger cellular responses including
checkpoint activation, senescence, and inflammation 1,2.
Though extensively studied in cell culture and cancer paradigms, little is known
about the impact of GIN during embryonic development, a period of rapid cellular
proliferation. We report that GIN-causing mutations in the MCM2–7 DNA
replicative helicase 3,4 render female mouse embryos to be
dramatically more susceptible than males to embryonic lethality. This bias was
not attributable to X-inactivation defects, differential replication licensing,
or X vs Y chromosome size, but rather “maleness,” since XX embryos
could be rescued by transgene-mediated sex reversal or testosterone (T)
administration. The ability of exogenous or endogenous T to protect embryos was
related to its anti-inflammatory properties 5. The NSAID ibuprofen rescued female embryos containing
mutations not only in MCM genes but also Fancm, which like MCM
mutants have elevated GIN (micronuclei) from compromised replication fork repair
6. Additionally,
deficiency for the anti-inflammatory IL10 receptor was synthetically lethal with
the Mcm4Chaos3 helicase mutant. Our
experiments indicate that DNA replication-associated DNA damage during
development induces inflammation that is preferentially lethal to female
embryos, whereas male embryos are protected by high levels of intrinsic T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian J McNairn
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Jordana C Bloom
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Marsha D Wallace
- Royal Veterinary College, Department of Clinical Science and Services, University of London, Hatfield, UK
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. .,Cornell Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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31
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Tran TN, Schimenti JC. A putative human infertility allele of the meiotic recombinase DMC1 does not affect fertility in mice. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:3911-3918. [PMID: 30085085 PMCID: PMC6216207 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-exome or whole-genome sequencing is becoming routine in clinical situations for identifying mutations underlying presumed genetic causes of disease including infertility. While this is a powerful approach for implicating polymorphisms or de novo mutations in genes plausibly related to the phenotype, a greater challenge is to definitively prove causality. This is a crucial requisite for treatment, especially for infertility, in which validation options are limited. In this study, we created a mouse model of a putative infertility allele, DMC1M200V. DMC1 encodes a RecA homolog essential for meiotic recombination and fertility in mice. This allele was originally implicated as being responsible for the sterility of a homozygous African woman, a conclusion supported by subsequent biochemical analyses of the mutant protein and by studies of yeast with the orthologous amino acid change. Here, we found that Dmc1M200V/M200V male and female mice are fully fertile and do not exhibit any gonadal abnormalities. Detailed immunocytological analysis of meiosis revealed no defects suggestive of compromised fertility. This study serves as a cautionary tale for making conclusions about consequences of genetic variants, especially with respect to infertility, and emphasizes the importance of conducting relevant biological assays for making accurate diagnoses in the era of genomic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina N Tran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
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32
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Abstract
Research in the field of mammalian reproductive biology often involves evaluating the overall health of ovaries and testes. Specifically, in females, ovarian fitness is often assessed by visualizing and quantifying follicles and oocytes. Because the ovary is an opaque three-dimensional tissue, traditional approaches require laboriously slicing the tissue into numerous serial sections in order to visualize cells throughout the entire organ. Furthermore, because quantification by this method typically entails scoring only a subset of the sections separated by the approximate diameter of an oocyte, it is prone to inaccuracy. Here, a protocol is described that instead utilizes whole organ tissue clearing and immunofluorescence staining of mouse ovaries to visualize follicles and oocytes. Compared to more traditional approaches, this protocol is advantageous for visualizing cells within the ovary for numerous reasons: 1) the ovary remains intact throughout sample preparation and processing; 2) small ovaries, which are difficult to section, can be examined with ease; 3) cellular quantification is more readily and accurately achieved; and 4) the whole organ imaged.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordana C Bloom
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University
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33
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Rinaldi VD, Bolcun-Filas E, Kogo H, Kurahashi H, Schimenti JC. The DNA Damage Checkpoint Eliminates Mouse Oocytes with Chromosome Synapsis Failure. Mol Cell 2017; 67:1026-1036.e2. [PMID: 28844861 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2017.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Pairing and synapsis of homologous chromosomes during meiosis is crucial for producing genetically normal gametes and is dependent upon repair of SPO11-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination. To prevent transmission of genetic defects, diverse organisms have evolved mechanisms to eliminate meiocytes containing unrepaired DSBs or unsynapsed chromosomes. Here we show that the CHK2 (CHEK2)-dependent DNA damage checkpoint culls not only recombination-defective mouse oocytes but also SPO11-deficient oocytes that are severely defective in homolog synapsis. The checkpoint is triggered in oocytes that accumulate a threshold level of spontaneous DSBs (∼10) in late prophase I, the repair of which is inhibited by the presence of HORMAD1/2 on unsynapsed chromosome axes. Furthermore, Hormad2 deletion rescued the fertility of oocytes containing a synapsis-proficient, DSB repair-defective mutation in a gene (Trip13) required for removal of HORMADs from synapsed chromosomes, suggesting that many meiotic DSBs are normally repaired by intersister recombination in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera D Rinaldi
- Cornell University, Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Ewelina Bolcun-Filas
- Cornell University, Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA; The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 14850, USA
| | - Hiroshi Kogo
- Gunma University, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kurahashi
- Fujita Health University, Institute of Comprehensive Molecular Science, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
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Kelly NH, Schimenti JC, Ross FP, van der Meulen MCH. Transcriptional profiling of cortical versus cancellous bone from mechanically-loaded murine tibiae reveals differential gene expression. Bone 2016; 86:22-9. [PMID: 26876048 PMCID: PMC4833881 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2016.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical loading is an anabolic stimulus that increases bone mass, and thus a promising method to counteract osteoporosis-related bone loss. The mechanism of this anabolism remains unclear, and needs to be established for both cortical and cancellous envelopes individually. We hypothesized that cortical and cancellous bone display different gene expression profiles at baseline and in response to mechanical loading. To test this hypothesis, the left tibiae of 10-week-old female C57Bl/6 mice were subjected to one session of axial tibial compression (9N, 1200cycles, 4Hz triangle waveform) and euthanized 3 and 24h following loading. The right limb served as the contralateral control. We performed RNA-seq on marrow-free metaphyseal samples from the cortical shell and the cancellous core to determine differential gene expression at baseline (control limb) and in response to load. Differential expression was verified with qPCR. Cortical and cancellous bone exhibited distinctly different transcriptional profiles basally and in response to mechanical loading. More genes were differentially expressed with loading at 24h with more genes downregulated at 24h than at 3h in both tissues. Enhanced Wnt signaling dominated the response in cortical bone at 3 and 24h, but in cancellous bone only at 3h. In cancellous bone at 24h many muscle-related genes were downregulated. These findings reveal key differences between cortical and cancellous genetic regulation in response to mechanical loading. Future studies at different time points and multiple loading sessions will add to our knowledge of cortical and cancellous mechanotransduction with the potential to identify new targets for mouse genetic knockout studies and drugs to treat osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie H Kelly
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, 105 Upson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Nancy E and Peter C Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 101 Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - John C Schimenti
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - F Patrick Ross
- Research Division, Hospital for Special Surgery, 541 East 71st St., New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Marjolein C H van der Meulen
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, 105 Upson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Nancy E and Peter C Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 101 Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Research Division, Hospital for Special Surgery, 541 East 71st St., New York, NY 10021, USA.
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35
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Bai G, Smolka MB, Schimenti JC. Chronic DNA Replication Stress Reduces Replicative Lifespan of Cells by TRP53-Dependent, microRNA-Assisted MCM2-7 Downregulation. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005787. [PMID: 26765334 PMCID: PMC4713100 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Circumstances that compromise efficient DNA replication, such as disruptions to replication fork progression, cause a state known as DNA replication stress (RS). Whereas normally proliferating cells experience low levels of RS, excessive RS from intrinsic or extrinsic sources can trigger cell cycle arrest and senescence. Here, we report that a key driver of RS-induced senescence is active downregulation of the Minichromosome Maintenance 2–7 (MCM2-7) factors that are essential for replication origin licensing and which constitute the replicative helicase core. Proliferating cells produce high levels of MCM2-7 that enable formation of dormant origins that can be activated in response to acute, experimentally-induced RS. However, little is known about how physiological RS levels impact MCM2-7 regulation. We found that chronic exposure of primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) to either genetically-encoded or environmentally-induced RS triggered gradual MCM2-7 repression, followed by inhibition of replication and senescence that could be accelerated by MCM hemizygosity. The MCM2-7 reduction in response to RS is TRP53-dependent, and involves a group of Trp53-dependent miRNAs, including the miR-34 family, that repress MCM expression in replication-stressed cells before they undergo terminal cell cycle arrest. miR-34 ablation partially rescued MCM2-7 downregulation and genomic instability in mice with endogenous RS. Together, these data demonstrate that active MCM2-7 repression is a physiologically important mechanism for RS-induced cell cycle arrest and genome maintenance on an organismal level. Duplication of the genome by DNA replication is essential for cell proliferation. DNA replication is initiated from many sites (“origins”) along chromosomes that are bound by replication licensing proteins, including MCM2-7. They are also core components of the replication helicase complex that unwinds double stranded DNA to expose single stranded DNA that is the template for DNA polymerase. Eukaryotic DNA replication machinery faces many challenges to duplicate the complex and massive genome. Circumstances that inhibit progression of the replication machinery cause “replication stress” (RS). Cells can counteract RS by utilizing “dormant” or “backup” origins. Abundant MCM2-7 expression sufficiently licenses dormant origins, but reducing MCMs compromises cellular responses to RS. We show that MCM2-7 expression is downregulated in cells experiencing chronic RS, and this depends on the TRP53 tumor suppressor and microRNAs it regulates. Extended RS eventually reduces MCMs to a point that terminal cell cycle arrest occurs. We propose that this mechanism is a crucial protection against neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongshi Bai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Marcus B. Smolka
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Weill Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - John C. Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Luo Y, Schimenti JC. MCM9 deficiency delays primordial germ cell proliferation independent of the ATM pathway. Genesis 2015; 53:678-84. [DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yunhai Luo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; Cornell University; Ithaca New York
| | - John C. Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; Cornell University; Ithaca New York
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Melville KM, Kelly NH, Surita G, Buchalter DB, Schimenti JC, Main RP, Ross FP, van der Meulen MCH. Effects of Deletion of ERα in Osteoblast-Lineage Cells on Bone Mass and Adaptation to Mechanical Loading Differ in Female and Male Mice. J Bone Miner Res 2015; 30:1468-80. [PMID: 25707500 PMCID: PMC4506717 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.2488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) has been implicated in bone's response to mechanical loading in both males and females. ERα in osteoblast lineage cells is important for determining bone mass, but results depend on animal sex and the cellular stage at which ERα is deleted. We demonstrated previously that when ERα is deleted from mature osteoblasts and osteocytes in mixed-background female mice, bone mass and strength are decreased. However, few studies exist examining the skeletal response to loading in bone cell-specific ERαKO mice. Therefore, we crossed ERα floxed (ERα(fl/fl)) and osteocalcin-Cre (OC-Cre) mice to generate animals lacking ERα in mature osteoblasts and osteocytes (pOC-ERαKO) and littermate controls (LC). At 10 weeks of age, the left tibia was loaded in vivo for 2 weeks. We analyzed bone mass through micro-CT, bone formation rate by dynamic histomorphometry, bone strength from mechanical testing, and osteoblast and osteoclast activity by serum chemistry and immunohistochemistry. ERα in mature osteoblasts differentially regulated bone mass in males and females. Compared with LC, female pOC-ERαKO mice had decreased cortical and cancellous bone mass, whereas male pOC-ERαKO mice had equal or greater bone mass than LC. Bone mass results correlated with decreased compressive strength in pOC-ERαKO female L(5) vertebrae and with increased maximum moment in pOC-ERαKO male femora. Female pOC-ERαKO mice responded more to mechanical loading, whereas the response of pOC-ERαKO male animals was similar to their littermate controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Melville
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Natalie H Kelly
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Gina Surita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - John C Schimenti
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Russell P Main
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - F Patrick Ross
- Research Division, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marjolein C H van der Meulen
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Research Division, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
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Lee CY, Horn HF, Stewart CL, Burke B, Bolcun-Filas E, Schimenti JC, Dresser ME, Pezza RJ. Mechanism and regulation of rapid telomere prophase movements in mouse meiotic chromosomes. Cell Rep 2015; 11:551-63. [PMID: 25892231 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 02/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere-led rapid prophase movements (RPMs) in meiotic prophase have been observed in diverse eukaryote species. A shared feature of RPMs is that the force that drives the chromosomal movements is transmitted from the cytoskeleton, through the nuclear envelope, to the telomeres. Studies in mice suggested that dynein movement along microtubules is transmitted to telomeres through SUN1/KASH5 nuclear envelope bridges to generate RPMs. We monitored RPMs in mouse seminiferous tubules using 4D fluorescence imaging and quantitative motion analysis to characterize patterns of movement in the RPM process. We find that RPMs reflect a combination of nuclear rotation and individual chromosome movements. The telomeres move along microtubule tracks that are apparently continuous with the cytoskeletal network and exhibit characteristic arrangements at different stages of prophase. Quantitative measurements confirmed that SUN1/KASH5, microtubules, and dynein, but not actin, were necessary for RPMs and that defects in meiotic recombination and synapsis resulted in altered RPMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ying Lee
- Program in Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Henning F Horn
- Laboratory of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Colin L Stewart
- Laboratory of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Brian Burke
- Laborotory of Nuclear Dynamics and Architecture, Institute of Medical Biology, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | | | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Michael E Dresser
- Program in Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Roberto J Pezza
- Program in Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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Pattabiraman S, Baumann C, Guisado D, Eppig JJ, Schimenti JC, De La Fuente R. Mouse BRWD1 is critical for spermatid postmeiotic transcription and female meiotic chromosome stability. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 208:53-69. [PMID: 25547156 PMCID: PMC4284233 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201404109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Exhibiting sexually dimorphic roles in mice, BRWD1 is essential for proper meiotic chromosome condensation and telomere structure during oogenesis and for haploid-specific gene transcription during postmeiotic sperm differentiation. Postmeiotic gene expression is essential for development and maturation of sperm and eggs. We report that the dual bromodomain-containing protein BRWD1, which is essential for both male and female fertility, promotes haploid spermatid–specific transcription but has distinct roles in oocyte meiotic progression. Brwd1 deficiency caused down-regulation of ∼300 mostly spermatid-specific transcripts in testis, including nearly complete elimination of those encoding the protamines and transition proteins, but was not associated with global epigenetic changes in chromatin, which suggests that BRWD1 acts selectively. In females, Brwd1 ablation caused severe chromosome condensation and structural defects associated with abnormal telomere structure but only minor changes in gene expression at the germinal vesicle stage, including more than twofold overexpression of the histone methyltransferase MLL5 and LINE-1 elements transposons. Thus, loss of BRWD1 function interferes with the completion of oogenesis and spermatogenesis through sexually dimorphic mechanisms: it is essential in females for epigenetic control of meiotic chromosome stability and in males for haploid gene transcription during postmeiotic sperm differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrivatsav Pattabiraman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Claudia Baumann
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Daniela Guisado
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | | | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Rabindranath De La Fuente
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA 30602
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Kelly NH, Schimenti JC, Patrick Ross F, van der Meulen MCH. A method for isolating high quality RNA from mouse cortical and cancellous bone. Bone 2014; 68:1-5. [PMID: 25073031 PMCID: PMC4281890 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2014.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The high incidence of fragility fractures in cortico-cancellous bone locations, plus the fact that individual skeletal sites exhibit different responsiveness to load and disease, emphasizes the need to document separately gene expression in cortical and cancellous bone. A further confounding factor is marrow contamination since its high cellularity may effect gene expression measurements. We isolated RNA from cortical and cancellous bone of intact mouse tibiae, and also after marrow removal by flushing or centrifugation. RNA isolated from cancellous bone by each method was sufficient for gene expression analysis. Centrifugation removed contaminating cells more efficiently than flushing, as indexed by histology and decreased expression of Icam4, a highly expressed erythroid gene. In contrast, centrifuged cortical bone had 12- and 13- fold higher expression of the bone-related genes Col1a1 and Bglap, while levels in marrow-free cancellous bone were 30- and 31-fold higher when compared to bone where marrow was left intact. Furthermore, cortical bone had higher expression of Col1a1 and Bglap than cancellous bone. Thus, RNA isolated by this novel approach can reveal site-specific changes in gene expression in cortical and cancellous bone sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie H Kelly
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, 105 Upson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 101 Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - John C Schimenti
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - F Patrick Ross
- Research Division, Hospital for Special Surgery, 541 East 71st St., New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Marjolein C H van der Meulen
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, 105 Upson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 101 Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Research Division, Hospital for Special Surgery, 541 East 71st St., New York, NY 10021, USA.
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Handel MA, Eppig JJ, Schimenti JC. Applying "gold standards" to in-vitro-derived germ cells. Cell 2014; 157:1257-1261. [PMID: 24906145 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Revised: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Germ cells are the ultimate stem cells, and reports of their in vitro derivation generate excitement due to potential applications in reproductive medicine. To date, there is no firm evidence that meiosis, the hallmark of gametogenesis, can be faithfully replicated outside of the gonad. We propose benchmarks for evaluating in vitro derivation of germ cells, facilitating realization of their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John J Eppig
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
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Luo Y, Hartford SA, Zeng R, Southard TL, Shima N, Schimenti JC. Hypersensitivity of primordial germ cells to compromised replication-associated DNA repair involves ATM-p53-p21 signaling. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004471. [PMID: 25010009 PMCID: PMC4091704 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome maintenance in germ cells is critical for fertility and the stable propagation of species. While mechanisms of meiotic DNA repair and chromosome behavior are well-characterized, the same is not true for primordial germ cells (PGCs), which arise and propagate during very early stages of mammalian development. Fanconi anemia (FA), a genomic instability syndrome that includes hypogonadism and testicular failure phenotypes, is caused by mutations in genes encoding a complex of proteins involved in repair of DNA lesions associated with DNA replication. The signaling mechanisms underlying hypogonadism and testicular failure in FA patients or mouse models are unknown. We conducted genetic studies to show that hypogonadism of Fancm mutant mice is a result of reduced proliferation, but not apoptosis, of PGCs, resulting in reduced germ cells in neonates of both sexes. Progressive loss of germ cells in adult males also occurs, overlaid with an elevated level of meiotic DNA damage. Genetic studies indicated that ATM-p53-p21 signaling is partially responsible for the germ cell deficiency. The precursors to sperm and eggs begin are a group of <100 cells in the embryo, called primordial germ cells (PGCs). They migrate in the primitive embryo to the location of the future gonads, then undergo a rapid proliferation over the next few days to a population of many thousands. Because these cells contain the precious genetic information for our offspring, and the DNA replication associated with rapid PGC proliferation is subject to spontaneous errors, mechanisms exist to avoid propagation of mutations. A manifestation of this is the high sensitivity of PGCs to genetic perturbations affecting DNA repair. We studied mice defective for a gene called Fanconi anemia M (Fancm) that is important for repair of DNA damage that occurs during replication. Although it is expressed in all tissues, only the PGCs are affected in mutants, and are reduced in number. We find that PGCs lacking Fancm respond by slowing cell division, and identified the genetic pathway responsible for this protective response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhai Luo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Suzanne A Hartford
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Ruizhu Zeng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Teresa L Southard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Naoko Shima
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
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Llano E, Gomez-H L, García-Tuñón I, Sánchez-Martín M, Caburet S, Barbero JL, Schimenti JC, Veitia RA, Pendas AM. STAG3 is a strong candidate gene for male infertility. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:3421-31. [PMID: 24608227 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligo- and azoospermia are severe forms of male infertility. However, known genetic factors account only for a small fraction of the cases. Recently, whole-exome sequencing in a large consanguineous family with inherited premature ovarian failure (POF) identified a homozygous frameshift mutation in the STAG3 gene leading to a premature stop codon. STAG3 encodes a meiosis-specific subunit of the cohesin complex, a large proteinaceous ring with DNA-entrapping ability that ensures sister chromatid cohesion and enables correct synapsis and segregation of homologous chromosomes during meiosis. The pathogenicity of the STAG3 mutations was functionally validated with a loss-of-function mouse model for STAG3 in oogenesis. However, and since none of the male members of this family was homozygous for the mutant allele, we only could hypothesized its putative involvement in male infertility. In this report, we show that male mice devoid of Stag3 display a severe meiotic phenotype that includes a meiotic arrest at zygonema-like shortening of their chromosome axial elements/lateral elements, partial loss of centromeric cohesion at early prophase and maintenance of the ability to initiate but not complete RAD51- and DMC1-mediated double-strand break repair, demonstrating that STAG3 is a crucial cohesin subunit in mammalian gametogenesis and supporting our proposal that STAG3 is a strong candidate gene for human male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Llano
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología and
| | - Laura Gomez-H
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Tuñón
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Sandrine Caburet
- Institut Jacques Monod, Université Paris Diderot, CNRS UMR7592, Paris 75013, France Université Paris Diderot-Paris 7, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Jose Luis Barbero
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid 28040, Spain and
| | - John C Schimenti
- Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Reiner A Veitia
- Institut Jacques Monod, Université Paris Diderot, CNRS UMR7592, Paris 75013, France Université Paris Diderot-Paris 7, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Alberto M Pendas
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Schnabel LV, Abratte CM, Schimenti JC, Felippe MJB, Cassano JM, Southard TL, Cross JA, Fortier LA. Induced pluripotent stem cells have similar immunogenic and more potent immunomodulatory properties compared with bone marrow-derived stromal cells in vitro. Regen Med 2014; 9:621-35. [PMID: 24773530 PMCID: PMC4352342 DOI: 10.2217/rme.14.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the in vitro immunogenic and immunomodulatory properties of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) compared with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). MATERIALS & METHODS Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were isolated from C3HeB/FeJ and C57BL/6J mice, and reprogrammed to generate iPSCs. Mixed leukocyte reactions were performed using MHC-matched and -mismatched responder leukocytes and stimulator leukocytes, iPSCs or MSCs. To assess immunogenic potential, iPSCs and MSCs were used as stimulator cells for responder leukocytes. To assess immunomodulatory properties, iPSCs and MSCs were cultured in the presence of stimulator and responder leukocytes. MEFs were used as a control. RESULTS iPSCs had similar immunogenic properties but more potent immunomodulatory effects than MSCs. Co-culture of MHC-mismatched leukocytes with MHC-matched iPSCs resulted in significantly less responder T-cell proliferation than observed for MHC-mismatched leukocytes alone and at more responder leukocyte concentrations than with MSCs. In addition, MHC-mismatched iPSCs significantly reduced responder T-cell proliferation when co-cultured with MHC-mismatched leukocytes, while MHC-mismatched MSCs did not. CONCLUSION These results provide important information when considering the use of iPSCs in place of MSCs in both regenerative and transplantation medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren V Schnabel
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Christian M Abratte
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - M Julia Bevilaqua Felippe
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Jennifer M Cassano
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Teresa L Southard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Jessica A Cross
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Lisa A Fortier
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Cheng CY, Hwang CI, Corney DC, Flesken-Nikitin A, Jiang L, Öner GM, Munroe RJ, Schimenti JC, Hermeking H, Nikitin AY. miR-34 cooperates with p53 in suppression of prostate cancer by joint regulation of stem cell compartment. Cell Rep 2014; 6:1000-1007. [PMID: 24630988 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The miR-34 family was originally found to be a direct target of p53 and is a group of putative tumor suppressors. Surprisingly, mice lacking all mir-34 genes show no increase in cancer formation by 18 months of age, hence placing the physiological relevance of previous studies in doubt. Here, we report that mice with prostate epithelium-specific inactivation of mir-34 and p53 show expansion of the prostate stem cell compartment and develop early invasive adenocarcinomas and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, whereas no such lesions are observed after inactivation of either the mir-34 or p53 genes alone by 15 months of age. Consistently, combined deficiency of p53 and miR-34 leads to acceleration of MET-dependent growth, self-renewal, and motility of prostate stem/progenitor cells. Our study provides direct genetic evidence that mir-34 genes are bona fide tumor suppressors and identifies joint control of MET expression by p53 and miR-34 as a key component of prostate stem cell compartment regulation, aberrations in which may lead to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Yang Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Cornell Stem Cell Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Chang-Il Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Cornell Stem Cell Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - David C Corney
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Cornell Stem Cell Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Andrea Flesken-Nikitin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Cornell Stem Cell Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Longchang Jiang
- Experimental and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Gülfem Meryem Öner
- Experimental and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Robert J Munroe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Cornell Stem Cell Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Cornell Stem Cell Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Heiko Hermeking
- Experimental and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80337 Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Yu Nikitin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Cornell Stem Cell Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Bolcun-Filas E, Rinaldi VD, White ME, Schimenti JC. Reversal of female infertility by Chk2 ablation reveals the oocyte DNA damage checkpoint pathway. Science 2014; 343:533-6. [PMID: 24482479 DOI: 10.1126/science.1247671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Genetic errors in meiosis can lead to birth defects and spontaneous abortions. Checkpoint mechanisms of hitherto unknown nature eliminate oocytes with unrepaired DNA damage, causing recombination-defective mutant mice to be sterile. Here, we report that checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2 or Chek2), is essential for culling mouse oocytes bearing unrepaired meiotic or induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Female infertility caused by a meiotic recombination mutation or irradiation was reversed by mutation of Chk2. Both meiotically programmed and induced DSBs trigger CHK2-dependent activation of TRP53 (p53) and TRP63 (p63), effecting oocyte elimination. These data establish CHK2 as essential for DNA damage surveillance in female meiosis and indicate that the oocyte DSB damage response primarily involves a pathway hierarchy in which ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) signals to CHK2, which then activates p53 and p63.
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48
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Melville KM, Kelly NH, Khan SA, Schimenti JC, Ross FP, Main RP, van der Meulen MCH. Female mice lacking estrogen receptor-alpha in osteoblasts have compromised bone mass and strength. J Bone Miner Res 2014; 29:370-9. [PMID: 24038209 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.2082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Revised: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 08/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Reduced bioavailability of estrogen increases skeletal fracture risk in postmenopausal women, but the mechanisms by which estrogen regulates bone mass are incompletely understood. Because estrogen signaling in bone acts, in part, through estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), mice with global deletion of ERα (ERαKO) have been used to determine the role of estrogen signaling in bone biology. These animals, however, have confounding systemic effects arising from other organs, such as increased estrogen and decreased insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) serum levels, which may independently affect bone. Mice with tissue-specific ERα deletion in chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteocytes, or osteoclasts lack the systemic effects seen in the global knockout, but show that presence of the receptor is important for the function of each cell type. Although bone mass is reduced when ERα is deleted from osteoblasts, no study has determined if this approach reduces whole bone strength. To address this issue, we generated female osteoblast-specific ERαKO mice (pOC-ERαKO) by crossing mice expressing a floxed ERα gene (ERα(fl/fl)) with mice transgenic for the osteocalcin-Cre promoter (OC-Cre). Having confirmed that serum levels of estrogen and IGF-1 were unaltered, we focused on relating bone mechanics to skeletal phenotype using whole bone mechanical testing, microcomputed tomography, histology, and dynamic histomorphometry. At 12 and 18 weeks of age, pOC-ERαKO mice had decreased cancellous bone mass in the proximal tibia, vertebra, and distal femur, and decreased cortical bone mass in the tibial midshaft, distal femoral cortex, and L5 vertebral cortex. Osteoblast activity was reduced in cancellous bone of the proximal tibia, but osteoclast number was unaffected. Both femora and vertebrae had decreased whole bone strength in mechanical tests to failure, indicating that ERα in osteoblasts is required for appropriate bone mass and strength accrual in female mice. This pOC-ERαKO mouse is an important animal model that could enhance our understanding of estrogen signaling in bone cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Melville
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Li XZ, Roy CK, Dong X, Bolcun-Filas E, Wang J, Han BW, Xu J, Moore MJ, Schimenti JC, Weng Z, Zamore PD. An ancient transcription factor initiates the burst of piRNA production during early meiosis in mouse testes. Mol Cell 2013; 50:67-81. [PMID: 23523368 PMCID: PMC3671569 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2013.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Revised: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal germ cells produce PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), small silencing RNAs that suppress transposons and enable gamete maturation. Mammalian transposon-silencing piRNAs accumulate early in spermatogenesis, whereas pachytene piRNAs are produced later during postnatal spermatogenesis and account for >95% of all piRNAs in the adult mouse testis. Mutants defective for pachytene piRNA pathway proteins fail to produce mature sperm, but neither the piRNA precursor transcripts nor the trigger for pachytene piRNA production is known. Here, we show that the transcription factor A-MYB initiates pachytene piRNA production. A-MYB drives transcription of both pachytene piRNA precursor RNAs and the mRNAs for core piRNA biogenesis factors including MIWI, the protein through which pachytene piRNAs function. A-MYB regulation of piRNA pathway proteins and piRNA genes creates a coherent feedforward loop that ensures the robust accumulation of pachytene piRNAs. This regulatory circuit, which can be detected in rooster testes, likely predates the divergence of birds and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhiguo Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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50
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Flachs P, Mihola O, Šimeček P, Gregorová S, Schimenti JC, Matsui Y, Baudat F, de Massy B, Piálek J, Forejt J, Trachtulec Z. Interallelic and intergenic incompatibilities of the Prdm9 (Hst1) gene in mouse hybrid sterility. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1003044. [PMID: 23133405 PMCID: PMC3486856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Dobzhansky-Muller model of incompatibilities explains reproductive isolation between species by incorrect epistatic interactions. Although the mechanisms of speciation are of great interest, no incompatibility has been characterized at the gene level in mammals. The Hybrid sterility 1 gene (Hst1) participates in the arrest of meiosis in F1 males of certain strains from two Mus musculus subspecies, e.g., PWD from M. m. musculus and C57BL/6J (henceforth B6) from M. m. domesticus. Hst1 has been identified as a meiotic PR-domain gene (Prdm9) encoding histone 3 methyltransferase in the male offspring of PWD females and B6 males, (PWD×B6)F1. To characterize the incompatibilities underlying hybrid sterility, we phenotyped reproductive and meiotic markers in males with altered copy numbers of Prdm9. A partial rescue of fertility was observed upon removal of the B6 allele of Prdm9 from the azoospermic (PWD×B6)F1 hybrids, whereas removing one of the two Prdm9 copies in PWD or B6 background had no effect on male reproduction. Incompatibility(ies) not involving Prdm9B6 also acts in the (PWD×B6)F1 hybrids, since the correction of hybrid sterility by Prdm9B6 deletion was not complete. Additions and subtractions of Prdm9 copies, as well as allelic replacements, improved meiotic progression and fecundity also in the progeny-producing reciprocal (B6×PWD)F1 males. Moreover, an increased dosage of Prdm9 and reciprocal cross enhanced fertility of other sperm-carrying male hybrids, (PWD×B6-C3H.Prdm9)F1, harboring another Prdm9 allele of M. m. domesticus origin. The levels of Prdm9 mRNA isoforms were similar in the prepubertal testes of all types of F1 hybrids of PWD with B6 and B6-C3H.Prdm9 despite their different prospective fertility, but decreased to 53% after removal of Prdm9B6. Therefore, the Prdm9B6 allele probably takes part in posttranscriptional dominant-negative hybrid interaction(s) absent in the parental strains. Disturbed gametogenesis in the progeny of two fertile parental forms is called hybrid sterility; it is an important part of reproductive barriers between species. The Dobzhansky-Muller model of incompatibilities explains reproductive isolation between species by incorrect interactions between genes. Hybrid sterility 1 (Hst1) is one of the genes causing meiotic arrest in F1 male hybrids between certain Mus musculus musculus (e.g., the PWD strain) and M. m. domesticus (C57BL/6J etc.) mice. Hst1, the first mammalian candidate for a speciation gene, was identified as a meiotic PR/SET-domain gene, Prdm9, but the mechanism causing sterility has remained unknown. While the F1 male offspring of C57BL/6J males and PWD females produce no sperm, the males from the reciprocal cross using PWD males and C57BL/6J females yield progeny. Here we show that the meiotic progress and fertility of hybrid males from both F1 crosses improved by removal as well as overexpression of the C57BL/6J allele of Prdm9, suggesting that Prdm9 interactions not present in the parental species (incompatibilities) play a role in hybrid sterility. Furthermore, the Prdm9 dosage also controlled fecundity in other F1 hybrids, indicating that this gene is an important regulator of mouse hybrid fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Flachs
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics and Center for Applied Genomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Mihola
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics and Center for Applied Genomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Šimeček
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics and Center for Applied Genomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Soňa Gregorová
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics and Center for Applied Genomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - John C. Schimenti
- Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Yasuhisa Matsui
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Frédéric Baudat
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS UPR 1142, Montpellier, France
| | - Bernard de Massy
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS UPR 1142, Montpellier, France
| | - Jaroslav Piálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences CR, Brno and Studenec, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Forejt
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics and Center for Applied Genomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenek Trachtulec
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics and Center for Applied Genomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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