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Dotania K, Tripathy M, Rai U. Ovarian nesfatin-1 in Hemidactylus flaviviridis: Reproductive phase-dependent expression, role and hormonal regulation. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2024; 288:111556. [PMID: 38016591 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Nesfatin-1 has recently emerged as a modulator of ovarian functions in mammals. Studies in non-mammalian vertebrates, though limited and majorly restricted to fishes, have evidenced a role of this peptide in the regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis and oocyte maturation. Interestingly, nesfatin-1 remains completely unexplored in reptiles. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify nesfatin-1 and elucidate its role and regulation in the ovary of Hemidactylus flaviviridis. Ovarian expression of nucb2/nesfatin-1 was highest during late recrudescence and breeding while it was lowest during regression. Follicular stage-dependent expression analysis showed significantly high expression of nucb2/nesfatin-1 in previtellogenic follicles. Further, in vitro treatment of recrudescent wall lizard ovaries with nesfatin-1 resulted in increased expression of anti-apoptotic gene, bcl-2, along with a concomitant decline in the pro-apoptotic gene, caspase-3. In addition, proliferation/differentiation markers like scf, c-kit, pcna, and bmp-15 were stimulated in ovaries incubated with the peptide. Ovarian steroidogenesis was also positively influenced by nesfatin-1 as treatment with the peptide resulted in heightened star expression as well as increased estradiol and progesterone production. Also, all concentrations of nesfatin-1 stimulated glucose uptake and metabolism in wall lizard ovary. Our observations provide the first evidence of ovarian functions of nesfatin-1 in a reptile. Further, ovarian nucb2/nesfatin-1 was differentially regulated by gonadotropin and sex steroids wherein its expression was stimulated by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17β-estradiol (E2) but inhibited by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In summary, this is the first report of the presence, reproductive stage-dependent expression, role, and regulation of ovarian nucb2/nesfatin-1 in H. flaviviridis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mamta Tripathy
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
| | - Umesh Rai
- University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, 180006, India.
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2
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Rosati L, Chianese T, De Gregorio V, Verderame M, Raggio A, Motta CM, Scudiero R. Glyphosate Interference in Follicular Organization in the Wall Lizard Podarcis siculus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087363. [PMID: 37108525 PMCID: PMC10138419 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glyphosate (Gly) is a broad-spectrum herbicide widely used thanks to its high efficiency and low toxicity. However, evidence exists of its toxic effects on non-target organisms. Among these, the animals inhabiting agricultural fields are particularly threatened. Recent studies demonstrated that exposure to Gly markedly affected the morphophysiology of the liver and testis of the Italian field lizard Podarcis siculus. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the herbicide on the female reproductive system of this lizard in order to have a full picture of Gly-induced reproductive impairment. The animals were exposed to 0.05 and 0.5 μg/kg of pure Gly by gavage for 3 weeks. The results demonstrated that Gly, at both doses tested, profoundly interfered with ovarian function. It induced germ cells' recruitment and altered follicular anatomy by anticipating apoptotic regression of the pyriform cells. It also induced thecal fibrosis and affected oocyte cytoplasm and zona pellucida organizations. At the functional levels, Gly stimulated the synthesis of estrogen receptors, suggesting a serious endocrine-disrupting effect. Overall, the follicular alterations, combined with those found at the level of the seminiferous tubules in males, suggest serious damage to the reproductive fitness of these non-target organisms, which over time could lead to a decline in survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Rosati
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Teresa Chianese
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenza De Gregorio
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Mariailaria Verderame
- Department of Human, Philosophic and Education Sciences (DISUFF), University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Anja Raggio
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Chiara Maria Motta
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rosaria Scudiero
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
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3
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Zhang B, Qu G, Nan Y, Zhou EM. Ovarian Oxidative Stress Induced Follicle Depletion After Zona Pellucida 3 Vaccination Is Associated With Subfertility in BALB/c Mice. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:814827. [PMID: 35252419 PMCID: PMC8894603 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.814827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired follicular development associated with autoimmune ovarian disease (AOD), is a typical side effect of ZP3 vaccine-induced subfertility and contributes to the fertility decline, but the mechanism is unknown. In this study, a AOD model was established with recombinant mouse zona pellucida 3 (mZP3) protein in the BALB/c mice, and co-administrated with 0.5 mg/kg antioxidant stress drug sodium selenite (SS), whereas intraperitoneal injection was used and the relationships among oxidant stress (OS), follicle loss and fertility were evaluated. Here we demonstrated that ZP3 vaccination elicited high antibody titers and correlated with reductions of ovarian follicle numbers in both fertile and infertile mice, whereby magnitudes of both factors were negatively correlated with litter size. Moreover, increased OS in ovaries of mZP3-immunized mice was related to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and is accompanied by a decrease in the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of ovaries. Meanwhile, activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 along with increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 levels were observed, indicating the ongoing apoptosis of ovarian cells. Notably, inhibition of OS with SS reduced ovarian ROS and apoptosis levels, which was consisted with restoration of follicle numbers. More importantly, SS treatment when co-administered concurrently with mZP3 immunization led to significantly improved fertility (P < 0.05) and the average litter size of the mZP3-vaccinated SS-treated group increased by ~29.2% as compared with that of the vaccinated but untreated group. In conclusion, infertility caused by ZP3 vaccination was mechanistically associated with ovarian OS which triggered depletion of ovarian follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, China
| | - Guanggang Qu
- Shandong Binzhou Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Academy, Binzhou, China
| | - Yuchen Nan
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, China
- *Correspondence: Yuchen Nan
| | - En-Min Zhou
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, China
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Whiteley S, McCuaig RD, Holleley CE, Rao S, Georges A. Dynamics of epigenetic modifiers and environmentally sensitive proteins in a reptile with temperature induced sex reversal. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:132-144. [PMID: 34849582 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms by which sex is determined, and how a sexual phenotype is stably maintained during adulthood, has been the focus of vigorous scientific inquiry. Resources common to the biomedical field (automated staining and imaging platforms) were leveraged to provide the first immunofluorescent data for a reptile species with temperature induced sex reversal. Two four-plex immunofluorescent panels were explored across three sex classes (sex reversed ZZf females, normal ZWf females, and normal ZZm males). One panel was stained for chromatin remodelling genes JARID2 and KDM6B, and methylation marks H3K27me3, and H3K4me3 (Jumonji Panel). The other CaRe panel stained for environmental response genes CIRBP and RelA, and H3K27me3 and H3K4me3. Our study characterised tissue specific expression and cellular localisation patterns of these proteins and histone marks, providing new insights to the molecular characteristics of adult gonads in a dragon lizard Pogona vitticeps. The confirmation that mammalian antibodies cross react in P. vitticeps paves the way for experiments that can take advantage of this new immunohistochemical resource to gain a new understanding of the role of these proteins during embryonic development, and most importantly for P. vitticeps, the molecular underpinnings of sex reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Whiteley
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australia.,Australian National Wildlife Collection CSIRO National Research Collections Australia, Canberra, Australia
| | - Robert D McCuaig
- Gene Regulation and Translational Medicine Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Clare E Holleley
- Australian National Wildlife Collection CSIRO National Research Collections Australia, Canberra, Australia
| | - Sudha Rao
- Gene Regulation and Translational Medicine Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Arthur Georges
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australia
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Motta CM, Tammaro S, Di Lorenzo M, Panzuto R, Verderame M, Migliaccio V, Simoniello P. Spring and Fall recrudescence in Podarcis siculus ovaries: A role for progesterone. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 290:113393. [PMID: 31982398 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In the lacertid Podarcis siculus the reproductive cycle is typically biphasic, with alternate recrudescence (Spring and Fall) and resting (Summer and Winter) phases. This study aimed to shed some light on the role exerted by progesterone during the two recrudescence periods; to this purpose, exogenous progesterone was administered intraperitoneally and the effects on oogonial proliferation, oocyte recruitment, and follicle cells apoptosis were determined. The presence and distribution of progesterone receptors was also investigated by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Results indicate that progesterone would play different roles and follow different route of action in the two recrudescence periods thus confirming the complexity of the mechanisms controlling oogenesis in this species of vertebrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Motta
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - S Tammaro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - M Di Lorenzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - R Panzuto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - M Verderame
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - V Migliaccio
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - P Simoniello
- Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Naples Parthenope, Italy.
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6
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Expression of caspase 3 in ovarian follicle cells of the lizard Podarcis sicula. Cell Tissue Res 2016; 367:397-404. [PMID: 27718023 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-016-2506-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, our aim was to determine whether caspase 3 plays a role, during previtellogenesis, in the ovarian follicular epithelium of the lizard Podarcis sicula. We investigated the presence and localization of proform and active caspase 3 by enzyme assay, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. In parallel, a fragment of caspase 3 was cloned for the first time in this species, sequenced and used for in situ hybridization to localize messengers and analysed by a phylogenetic survey to shed light on its homology with reptilian caspases. Results demonstrated that: (1) the follicle cells expressed a caspase of the 3/7 group and the mRNA for caspase 3 was transcribed in the stem phase and was completely translated during cell differentiation; (2) the proform protein was stored during the differentiated (nurse) stage and activated at the end of previtellogenesis provoking the degeneration of cells; (3) the predicted protein sequence, although partial, had a strong similarity with the known reptilian caspases 3. The epithelial cells of the ovarian follicle, therefore, do not employ caspase 3 during the nurse stage but, instead, prepare for apoptosis long before the process actually begins. The relevance of this strategy is discussed.
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Coscia MR, Simoniello P, Giacomelli S, Oreste U, Motta CM. Investigation of immunoglobulins in skin of the Antarctic teleost Trematomus bernacchii. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 39:206-214. [PMID: 24821425 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2014.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The presence and production of IgM in the skin of the Antarctic teleost Trematomus bernacchii were investigated in this study. Immunoglobulins purified from cutaneous mucus and analysed by SDS-PAGE run under non-reducing and reducing conditions, were composed of heavy and light chains of 78 kDa and 25 kDa respectively, with a relative molecular mass of 830 kDa indicating that mucus IgM are tetramers as the serum IgM. Mature transcripts encoding the constant domains of both the secretory and membrane-bound Igμ chain were seen in T. bernacchii skin using a PCR strategy and the expression of the secretory Igμ chain in the skin was compared with that in other tissues by Real-time PCR. Cytological investigations revealed the presence of either immunoglobulins or their transcripts in occasional lymphocytes distributed close to the basal membrane. IgM once produced here, enters the filament-containing cells and is released into the mucus when these cells degenerate and detach from the epidermis. Our findings indicate that a cutaneous defence mechanism, functioning as anatomical and physiological barrier under subzero conditions, is present in this Antarctic species as an important component of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Coscia
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR, via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Palma Simoniello
- Department of Biological Science, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy; GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Planckstrasse 1, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefano Giacomelli
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR, via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Umberto Oreste
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR, via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Maria Motta
- Department of Biological Science, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy
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Motta CM, Frezza V, Simoniello P. Caspase 3 in molluscan tissues: Localization and possible function. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 319:548-59. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.1817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 07/07/2013] [Accepted: 07/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara M. Motta
- Department of Biological Sciences; Evolutionary Biology Unit; Naples Italy
| | - Vincenzo Frezza
- Department of Biological Sciences; Evolutionary Biology Unit; Naples Italy
| | - Palma Simoniello
- Department of Biological Sciences; Evolutionary Biology Unit; Naples Italy
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Taboada X, Robledo D, Del Palacio L, Rodeiro A, Felip A, Martínez P, Viñas A. Comparative expression analysis in mature gonads, liver and brain of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) by cDNA-AFLPS. Gene 2011; 492:250-61. [PMID: 22037609 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2011.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2011] [Revised: 09/08/2011] [Accepted: 10/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Turbot is one of the most important farmed fish in Europe. This species exhibits a considerable sexual dimorphism in growth and sexual maturity that makes the all-female production recommended for turbot farming. Our knowledge about the genetic basis of sex determination and the molecular regulation of gonad differentiation in this species is still limited. Our goal was to identify and compare gene expression and functions between testes and ovaries in adults in order to ascertain the relationship between the genes that could be involved in the gonad differentiation or related to the sex determination system. The identification of differentially expressed sex related genes is an initial step towards understanding the molecular mechanisms of gonad differentiation. For this, we carried out a transcriptome analysis based on cDNA-AFLP technique which allowed us to obtain an initial frame on sex-specific gene expression that will facilitate further analysis especially along the critical gonad differentiating period. With the aim of widening the study on sex-biased gene expression we reproduced the same experiments in two somatic tissues: liver and brain. We have selected the liver because it is the most analyzed one regarding sexual dimorphic gene expression and due to its importance in steroid hormones metabolism and the brain because the functional relationship between brain and gonad is documented. We found slight but important differences between sexes which deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xoana Taboada
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología (CIBUS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela Avda Lope Gómez de Marzoa, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Simoniello P, Motta CM, Scudiero R, Trinchella F, Filosa S. Spatiotemporal changes in metallothionein gene expression during embryogenesis in the wall lizard Podarcis sicula. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 313:410-20. [PMID: 20623798 DOI: 10.1002/jez.611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Lizard embryos are nutritionally independent from their environment. During the early phases of oogenesis, the egg prepares for development by storing reserve organelles, proteins, and RNAs sufficient to allow the zygote to transform into a juvenile. This preparation also includes the storage of metallothionein (MT) transcripts. This study investigated the localization of these transcripts by in situ hybridization throughout Podarcis sicula developmental stages. Our data show that MT expression undergoes shifts in both regional and cellular localization. MT transcripts were detected early in the central nervous system, later in tissues implicated in metabolic processes. Results are discussed highlighting differences in lizard embryonic spatial and temporal MT expression compared with piscine, amphibian, and mammalian embryos. We hypothesize that, under natural conditions, the nutritionally closed system represented by the lizard egg protects the developing embryo from an unwanted excess of metals. This mechanism would make MT expression and accumulation in detoxifying organs in developing animals unnecessary until hatching and food intake begins. Conversely, the presence of MT transcripts during brain development may ensure the correct final architecture of this organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palma Simoniello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Evolutionary and Comparative Section, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Tammaro S, Simoniello P, Filosa S, Motta CM. cGnRH II involvement in pyriform cell apoptosis. Cell Tissue Res 2008; 332:337-47. [PMID: 18299895 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-008-0584-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2007] [Accepted: 01/14/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We have investigated whether gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is involved in triggering the apoptotic death of pyriforms, the nurse cells that cooperate in oocyte growth during mid- to late previtellogenesis in the lizard Podarcis sicula. Our immunocytochemical analyses demonstrate that pyriforms express GnRH receptors and that, in late previtellogenesis, they are up-regulated by cGnRH II. The hormone however does not trigger receptor synthesis and activation, events that therefore must be under the control of other regulatory factors. Our results also indicate that in vitro treatment of pyriforms with cGnRH II induces DNAse I activation and DNA laddering, clear cytological evidence of apoptosis, but not Fas/Fas-L synthesis or caspase activation. We conclude that cGnRH II is pro-apoptotic to pyriform cells and that it exerts its effects by activating an alternative cell death pathway, probably involving calcium as first messenger and DNase I as first executioner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Tammaro
- Department of Biological Sciences, Evolutionary and Comparative Biology Unit, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy
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