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Ai N, Han CR, Zhao H, Cheng SY, Ge W. Disruption of Thyroid Hormone Receptor Thrab Leads to Female Infertility in Zebrafish. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae037. [PMID: 38527850 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) T4 and T3 are vital for development, growth, and metabolism. Thyroid dysfunction can also cause problems in fertility, suggesting involvement of THs in reproduction. In zebrafish, there exist 2 forms of TH receptor alpha gene (thraa and thrab). Disruption of these genes by CRISPR/Cas9 showed no reproductive irregularities in the thraa mutant; however, inactivation of the thrab gene resulted in female infertility. Although young female mutants (thrabm/m) showed normal ovarian development and folliculogenesis before sexual maturation, they failed to release eggs during oviposition after sexual maturation. This spawning failure was due to oviductal blockage at the genital papilla. The obstruction of the oviduct subsequently caused an accumulation of the eggs in the ovary, resulting in severe ovarian hypertrophy, abdominal distention, and disruption of folliculogenesis. Gene expression analysis showed expression of both TH receptors and estrogen receptors in the genital papilla, suggesting a direct TH action and potential interactions between thyroid and estrogen signaling pathways in controlling genital papilla development and function. In addition to their actions in the reproductive tracts, THs may also have direct effects in the ovary, as suggested by follicle atresia and cessation of folliculogenesis in the heterozygous mutant (thrab+/m), which was normal in all aspects of female reproduction in young and sexually mature fish but exhibited premature ovarian failure in aged females. In summary, this study provides substantial evidence for roles of THs in controlling the development and functions of both reproductive tract and ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Ai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Cho Rong Han
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hui Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Wei Ge
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
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Thambirajah AA, Wade MG, Verreault J, Buisine N, Alves VA, Langlois VS, Helbing CC. Disruption by stealth - Interference of endocrine disrupting chemicals on hormonal crosstalk with thyroid axis function in humans and other animals. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111906. [PMID: 34418447 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) are important regulators of growth, development, and homeostasis of all vertebrates. There are many environmental contaminants that are known to disrupt TH action, yet their mechanisms are only partially understood. While the effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are mostly studied as "hormone system silos", the present critical review highlights the complexity of EDCs interfering with TH function through their interactions with other hormonal axes involved in reproduction, stress, and energy metabolism. The impact of EDCs on components that are shared between hormone signaling pathways or intersect between pathways can thus extend beyond the molecular ramifications to cellular, physiological, behavioral, and whole-body consequences for exposed organisms. The comparatively more extensive studies conducted in mammalian models provides encouraging support for expanded investigation and highlight the paucity of data generated in other non-mammalian vertebrate classes. As greater genomics-based resources become available across vertebrate classes, better identification and delineation of EDC effects, modes of action, and identification of effective biomarkers suitable for HPT disruption is possible. EDC-derived effects are likely to cascade into a plurality of physiological effects far more complex than the few variables tested within any research studies. The field should move towards understanding a system of hormonal systems' interactions rather than maintaining hormone system silos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita A Thambirajah
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Michael G Wade
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Jonathan Verreault
- Centre de Recherche en Toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Nicolas Buisine
- UMR7221 Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Verônica A Alves
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de La Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Québec City, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de La Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Québec City, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Caren C Helbing
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada.
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Filice M, Cerra MC, Imbrogno S. The goldfish Carassius auratus: an emerging animal model for comparative cardiac research. J Comp Physiol B 2021; 192:27-48. [PMID: 34455483 PMCID: PMC8816371 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-021-01402-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The use of unconventional model organisms is significantly increasing in different fields of research, widely contributing to advance life sciences understanding. Among fishes, the cyprinid Carassius auratus (goldfish) is largely used for studies on comparative and evolutionary endocrinology, neurobiology, adaptive and conservation physiology, as well as for translational research aimed to explore mechanisms that may be useful in an applicative biomedical context. More recently, the research possibilities offered by the goldfish are further expanded to cardiac studies. A growing literature is available to illustrate the complex networks involved in the modulation of the goldfish cardiac performance, also in relation to the influence of environmental signals. However, an overview on the existing current knowledge is not yet available. By discussing the mechanisms that in C. auratus finely regulate the cardiac function under basal conditions and under environmental challenges, this review highlights the remarkable flexibility of the goldfish heart in relation not only to the basic morpho-functional design and complex neuro-humoral traits, but also to its extraordinary biochemical-metabolic plasticity and its adaptive potential. The purpose of this review is also to emphasize the power of the heart of C. auratus as an experimental tool useful to investigate mechanisms that could be difficult to explore using more conventional animal models and complex cardiac designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariacristina Filice
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy.
| | - Maria Carmela Cerra
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Sandra Imbrogno
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
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Qiao K, Hu T, Jiang Y, Huang J, Hu J, Gui W, Ye Q, Li S, Zhu G. Crosstalk of cholinergic pathway on thyroid disrupting effects of the insecticide chlorpyrifos in zebrafish (Danio rerio). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 757:143769. [PMID: 33221011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chlorpyrifos is a widely used organophosphate insecticide and ubiquitously detected in the environment. However, little attention has been paid to its endocrine disrupting effect to non-target organisms. In the present study, zebrafish was exposed to 13 and 65 μg/L of chlorpyrifos for 7 and 10 days to determine the induced neurotoxicity and the alteration of thyroid metabolism. The 120 h LC50 and LC10 of chlorpyrifos was estimated as 1.35 mg/L and 0.62 mg/L based on the acute embryo toxicity assay, respectively. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory was detected by 13 μg/L chlorpyrifos and could be reversed by the co-exposure of 100 and 1000 μg/L anticholinergic agent atropine. For thyroid hormone level, 13 and 65 μg/L of chlorpyrifos induced increased free T3 levels in 10 dpf (days post-fertilization). The expression of thyroid related genes in 7 and 10 dpf exposed zebrafish were measured by the quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. The mRNA expression of tshba, thrb, crhb, ttr, tpo, ugt1ab and slc5a5 had significant change. However, the alterations of thyroid hormone and mRNA expression could be partly rescued by the addition of atropine. The molecular docking of chlorpyrifos and T3 to the thyroid receptor β in zebrafish using homology modelling and CDOCKER procedures shown weaker binding ability of chlorpyrifos compared to T3. Therefore, we concluded that the disturbance of thyroid signaling in zebrafish might arise from the developmental neurotoxicity induced by chlorpyrifos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Qiao
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Institute of Nuclear-Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Tiantian Hu
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Yao Jiang
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Jianping Huang
- Zhejiang Haotian Testing Technology Service Co., Ltd., Zhejiang, Hangzhou 311121, PR China
| | - Jingjin Hu
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Wenjun Gui
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Qingfu Ye
- Institute of Nuclear-Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Shuying Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China.
| | - Guonian Zhu
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
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De novo transcriptome assembly of four organs of Collichthys lucidus and identification of genes involved in sex determination and reproduction. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230580. [PMID: 32218589 PMCID: PMC7100973 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The spinyhead croaker (Collichthys lucidus) is a commercially important fish species, which is mainly distributed in the coastal regions of China. However, little is known about the molecular regulatory mechanism underlying reproduction in C. lucidus. A de novo transcriptome assembly in brain, liver, ovary and testis tissues of C. lucidus was performed. Illumina sequencing generated 60,322,004, 57,044,284, 60,867,978 and 57,087,688 clean reads from brain, liver, ovary and testis tissues of C. lucidus, respectively. Totally, 131,168 unigenes with an average length of 644 bp and an N50 value of 1033 bp were assembled. In addition, 1288 genes were differentially expressed between ovary and testis, including 442 up-regulated and 846 down-regulated in ovary. Functional analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes between ovary and testis were mainly involved in the function of sexual reproduction, sex differentiation, development of primary male sexual characteristics, female gamete generation, and male sex differentiation. A number of genes which might be involved in the regulation of reproduction and sex determination were found, including HYAL and SYCP3 and BMP15. Furthermore, 35,476 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified in this transcriptome dataset, which would contribute to further genetic and mechanism researches. De novo transcriptome sequencing analysis of four organs of C. lucidus provides rich resources for understanding the mechanism of reproductive development of C. lucidus and further investigation of the molecular regulation of sex determination and reproduction of C. lucidus.
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Abstract
In all vertebrates, the thyroid axis is an endocrine feedback system that affects growth, differentiation, and reproduction, by sensing and translating central and peripheral signals to maintain homeostasis and a proper thyroidal set-point. Fish, the most diverse group of vertebrates, rely on this system for somatic growth, metamorphosis, reproductive events, and the ability to tolerate changing environments. The vast majority of the research on the thyroid axis pertains to mammals, in particular rodents, and although some progress has been made to understand the role of this endocrine axis in non-mammalian vertebrates, including amphibians and teleost fish, major gaps in our knowledge remain regarding other groups, such as elasmobranchs and cyclostomes. In this review, we discuss the roles of the thyroid axis in fish and its contributions to growth and development, metamorphosis, reproduction, osmoregulation, as well as feeding and nutrient metabolism. We also discuss how thyroid hormones have been/can be used in aquaculture, and potential threats to the thyroid system in this regard.
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Leemans M, Couderq S, Demeneix B, Fini JB. Pesticides With Potential Thyroid Hormone-Disrupting Effects: A Review of Recent Data. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:743. [PMID: 31920955 PMCID: PMC6915086 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant Protection Products, more commonly referred to as pesticides and biocides, are used to control a wide range of yield-reducing pests including insects, fungi, nematodes, and weeds. Concern has been raised that some pesticides may act as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with the potential to interfere with the hormone systems of non-target invertebrates and vertebrates, including humans. EDCs act at low doses and particularly vulnerable periods of exposure include pre- and perinatal development. Of critical concern is the number of pesticides with the potential to interfere with the developing nervous system and brain, notably with thyroid hormone signaling. Across vertebrates, thyroid hormone orchestrates metamorphosis, brain development, and metabolism. Pesticide action on thyroid homeostasis can involve interference with TH production and its control, displacement from distributor proteins and liver metabolism. Here we focused on thyroid endpoints for each of the different classes of pesticides reviewing epidemiological and experimental studies carried out both in in vivo and in vitro. We conclude first, that many pesticides were placed on the market with insufficient testing, other than acute or chronic toxicity, and second, that thyroid-specific endpoints for neurodevelopmental effects and mixture assessment are largely absent from regulatory directives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Leemans
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS UMR 7221, Laboratoire Physiologie moléculaire de l'adaptation, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Jean-Baptiste Fini
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS UMR 7221, Laboratoire Physiologie moléculaire de l'adaptation, Paris, France
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