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Ridnik M, Abberbock E, Alipov V, Lhermann SZ, Kaufman S, Lubman M, Poulat F, Gonen N. Two redundant transcription factor binding sites in a single enhancer are essential for mammalian sex determination. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:5514-5528. [PMID: 38499491 PMCID: PMC11162780 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Male development in mammals depends on the activity of the two SOX gene: Sry and Sox9, in the embryonic testis. As deletion of Enhancer 13 (Enh13) of the Sox9 gene results in XY male-to-female sex reversal, we explored the critical elements necessary for its function and hence, for testis and male development. Here, we demonstrate that while microdeletions of individual transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) in Enh13 lead to normal testicular development, combined microdeletions of just two SRY/SOX binding motifs can alone fully abolish Enh13 activity leading to XY male-to-female sex reversal. This suggests that for proper male development to occur, these few nucleotides of non-coding DNA must be intact. Interestingly, we show that depending on the nature of these TFBS mutations, dramatically different phenotypic outcomes can occur, providing a molecular explanation for the distinct clinical outcomes observed in patients harboring different variants in the same enhancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meshi Ridnik
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Elisheva Abberbock
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Veronica Alipov
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Shelly Ziv Lhermann
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Shoham Kaufman
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Maor Lubman
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Francis Poulat
- Group “Development and Pathology of the Gonad”. Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS-University of Montpellier UMR9002, Montpellier, France
| | - Nitzan Gonen
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
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2
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Pierron F, Daramy F, Heroin D, Daffe G, Barré A, Bouchez O, Nikolski M. Sex-specific DNA methylation and transcription of zbtb38 and effects of gene-environment interactions on its natural antisense transcript in zebrafish. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2260963. [PMID: 37782752 PMCID: PMC10547075 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2260963] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence for the involvement of epigenetics in sex determination, maintenance, and plasticity, from plants to humans. In our previous work, we reported a transgenerational feminization of a zebrafish population for which the first generation was exposed to cadmium, a metal with endocrine disrupting effects. In this study, starting from the previously performed whole methylome analysis, we focused on the zbtb38 gene and hypothesized that it could be involved in sex differentiation and Cd-induced offspring feminization. We observed sex-specific patterns of both DNA methylation and RNA transcription levels of zbtb38. We also discovered that the non-coding exon 3 of zbtb38 encodes for a natural antisense transcript (NAT). The activity of this NAT was found to be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Furthermore, increasing transcription levels of this NAT in parental gametes was highly correlated with offspring sex ratios. Since zbtb38 itself encodes for a transcription factor that binds methylated DNA, our results support a non-negligible role of zbtb38 not only in orchestrating the sex-specific transcriptome (i.e., sex differentiation) but also, via its NAT, offspring sex ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flore Daramy
- Univ Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, Pessac, France
| | | | | | - Aurélien Barré
- Univ Bordeaux, Bordeaux Bioinformatics Center, Bordeaux, France
| | - Olivier Bouchez
- INRAE, US 1426, GeT-PlaGe, Genotoul, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Macha Nikolski
- Univ Bordeaux, Bordeaux Bioinformatics Center, Bordeaux, France
- Univ Bordeaux, CNRS, IBGC, Bordeaux, France
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3
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Wu K, Zhai Y, Qin M, Zhao C, Ai N, He J, Ge W. Genetic evidence for differential functions of figla and nobox in zebrafish ovarian differentiation and folliculogenesis. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1185. [PMID: 37990081 PMCID: PMC10663522 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05551-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
FIGLA and NOBOX are important oocyte-specific transcription factors. Both figla-/- and nobox-/- mutants showed all-male phenotype in zebrafish due to increased dominance of the male-promoting pathway. The early diversion towards males in these mutants has precluded analysis of their roles in folliculogenesis. In this study, we attenuated the male-promoting pathway by deleting dmrt1, a key male-promoting gene, in figla-/- and nobox-/- fish, which allows a sufficient display of defects in folliculogenesis. Germ cells in figla-/-;dmrt1-/- double mutant remained in cysts without forming follicles. In contrast, follicles could form well but exhibited deficient growth in nobox-/-;dmrt1-/- double mutants. Follicles in nobox-/-;dmrt1-/- ovary could progress to previtellogenic (PV) stage but failed to enter vitellogenic growth. Such arrest at PV stage suggested a possible deficiency in estrogen signaling. This was supported by lines of evidence in nobox-/-;dmrt1-/-, including reduced expression of ovarian aromatase (cyp19a1a) and level of serum estradiol (E2), regressed genital papilla (female secondary sex characteristics), and more importantly the resumption of vitellogenic growth by E2 treatment. Expression analysis suggested Nobox might regulate cyp19a1a by controlling Gdf9 and/or Bmp15. Our discoveries indicate that Figla is essential for ovarian differentiation and follicle formation whereas Nobox is important for driving subsequent follicle development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Taipa, Macau, China
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 519082, Zhuhai, China
- Southern Marine Sciences and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), 519082, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yue Zhai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Mingming Qin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Nana Ai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Jianguo He
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 519082, Zhuhai, China
- Southern Marine Sciences and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), 519082, Zhuhai, China
| | - Wei Ge
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Taipa, Macau, China.
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4
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Hou M, Wang Q, Zhang J, Zhao R, Cao Y, Yu S, Wang K, Chen Y, Ma Z, Sun X, Zhang Y, Li J. Differential Expression of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs between Ovaries and Testes in Common Carp ( Cyprinus carpio). Cells 2023; 12:2631. [PMID: 37998366 PMCID: PMC10670750 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Female common carp grow faster than male individuals, implying that rearing females could be more profitable in aquaculture. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) serve as versatile regulators with multiple functions in diverse biological processes. However, the roles of ncRNAs in the sex differentiation of common carp are less studied. In this study, we investigated the expression profiles of ncRNAs, including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, in the gonads to comprehend the roles of ncRNAs in sex differentiation in common carp. A substantial number of differentially expressed (DE) ncRNAs in ovaries and testes were identified. Some miRNAs, notably miR-205, miR-214, and miR-460-5p, might modulate hormone synthesis and thus maintain sex. A novel miRNA, novel_158, was predicted to suppress the expression of foxl3. DE lncRNAs were associated with oocyte meiosis, GnRH signaling pathways, and steroid biosynthesis, while DE circRNA target genes were enriched in the WNT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. We also analyzed ncRNA-mRNA interactions to shed light on the crosstalk between competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), which is the critical mechanism by which lncRNAs and circRNAs function. Some lncRNAs and circRNAs may be able to competitively bind novel_313, a new miRNA, and thus regulate hsd17β3. Our research will provide a valuable resource for understanding the genetic basis of gonadal differentiation and development in common carp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxi Hou
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Qi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Ran Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yiming Cao
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Shuangting Yu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Kaikuo Wang
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (K.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.M.)
| | - Yingjie Chen
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (K.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.M.)
| | - Ziyao Ma
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (K.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.M.)
| | - Xiaoqing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jiongtang Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
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Chen M, Wang N, Yang H, Liu D, Gao Y, Duo L, Cui X, Hao F, Ye J, Gao F, Tu Q, Gui Y. Single-cell transcriptome analysis of the germ cells and somatic cells during mitotic quiescence stage in goats. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23244. [PMID: 37823602 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301278] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The mitotic quiescence of prospermatogonia is the event known to occur during genesis of the male germline and is tied to the development of the spermatogenic lineage. The regulatory mechanisms and the functional importance of this process have been demonstrated in mice; however, regulation of this process in human and domestic animal is still largely unknown. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to identify transcriptional signatures of prospermatogonia and major somatic cell types in testes of goats at E85, E105, and E125. We identified both common and specific Gene Ontology categories, transcription factor regulatory networks, and cell-cell interactions in cell types from goat testis. We also analyzed the transcriptional dynamic changes in prospermatogonia, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and interstitial cells. Our datasets provide a useful resource for the study of domestic animal germline development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Chen
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Yang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dongjun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Lei Duo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiuhong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Tu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaoting Gui
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
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6
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Danti L, Lundin K, Sepponen K, Yohannes DA, Kere J, Tuuri T, Tapanainen JS. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated activation of NR5A1 steers female human embryonic stem cell-derived bipotential gonadal-like cells towards a steroidogenic cell fate. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:194. [PMID: 37726790 PMCID: PMC10510196 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01264-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1), encoding steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), has been identified as a critical factor in gonadal development in animal studies. A previous study of ours suggested that upregulation of NR5A1 during early gonadal differentiation in male (46,XY) human pluripotent stem cells steers the cells into a more mature gonadal cell type. However, the detailed role of NR5A1 in female gonadal differentiation has yet to be determined. In this study, by combining the processes of gonadal differentiation and conditional gene activation, we show that NR5A1 induction predominantly upregulates the female gonadal marker inhibin subunit α (INHA) and steroidogenic markers steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (CYP11A1), cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1 (CYP17A1), hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B2) and hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase 1 (HSD17B1). In contrast, NR5A1 induction did not seem to affect the bipotential gonadal markers gata binding protein 4 (GATA4) and Wilms' tumour suppressor 1 (WT1) nor the female gonadal markers r-spondin 1 (RSPO1) and wnt family member 4 (WNT4). Differentially expressed genes were highly associated with adrenal and ovarian steroidogenesis pathways. Moreover, time-series analysis revealed different dynamic changes between male and female induced samples, where continuously upregulated genes in female gonadal differentiation were mostly associated with adrenal steroidogenesis. Thus, in contrast to male gonadal differentiation, NR5A1 is necessary but not sufficient to steer human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived bipotential gonadal-like cells towards a more mature somatic, female cell fate. Instead, it seems to direct bipotential gonadal-like cells more towards a steroidogenic-like cell population. The information obtained in this study helps in elucidating the role of NR5A1 in gonadal differentiation of a female stem cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Danti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, 00290, Finland
| | - Karolina Lundin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, 00290, Finland
| | - Kirsi Sepponen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, 00290, Finland
| | - Dawit A Yohannes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, 00290, Finland
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Immunology & Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00290, Finland
| | - Juha Kere
- Folkhälsan Research Centre, Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00290, Finland
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, 14183, Sweden
| | - Timo Tuuri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, 00290, Finland
| | - Juha S Tapanainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, 00290, Finland.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HFR - Cantonal Hospital of Fribourg and University of Fribourg, Fribourg, 1708, Switzerland.
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7
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Hala D. The use of in silico extreme pathway (ExPa) analysis to identify conserved reproductive transcriptional-regulatory networks in humans, mice, and zebrafish. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2023; 69:271-287. [PMID: 37023256 PMCID: PMC10461611 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2023.2188996] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate sex determination and differentiation are coordinated by the activations and maintenance of reproductive transcriptional-regulatory networks (TRNs). There is considerable interest in studying the conserved design principles and functions of reproductive TRNs given that their intricate regulation is susceptible to disruption by gene mutations or exposures to exogenous endocrine disrupting chemicals (or EDCs). In this manuscript, the Boolean rules describing reproductive TRNs in humans, mice, and zebrafish, were represented as a pseudo-stoichiometric matrix model. This model mathematically described the interactions of 35 transcription factors with 21 sex determination and differentiation genes across the three species. The in silico approach of Extreme Pathway (ExPa) analysis was used to predict the extent of TRN gene activations subject to the species-specific transcriptomics data, from across various developmental life-stages. A goal of this work was to identify conserved and functional reproductive TRNs across the three species. ExPa analyses predicted the sex differentiation genes, DHH, DMRT1, and AR, to be highly active in male humans, mice, and zebrafish. Whereas FOXL2 was the most active gene in female humans and mice; and CYP19A1A in female zebrafish. These results agree with the expectation that regardless of a lack of sex determination genes in zebrafish, the TRNs responsible for canalizing male vs. female sexual differentiation are conserved with mammalian taxa. ExPa analysis therefore provides a framework with which to study the TRNs that influence the development of sexual phenotypes. And the in silico predicted conservation of sex differentiation TRNs between mammals and zebrafish identifies the piscine species as an effective in vivo model to study mammalian reproductive systems under normal or perturbed pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hala
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, TX, USA
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8
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Pieplow CA, Furze AR, Wessel GM. A case of hermaphroditism in the gonochoristic sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, reveals key mechanisms of sex determination†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:960-973. [PMID: 36943312 PMCID: PMC10266946 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea urchins are usually gonochoristic, with all of their five gonads either testes or ovaries. Here, we report an unusual case of hermaphroditism in the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. The hermaphrodite is self-fertile, and one of the gonads is an ovotestis; it is largely an ovary with a small segment containing fully mature sperm. Molecular analysis demonstrated that each gonad producedviable gametes, and we identified for the first time a somatic sex-specific marker in this phylum: Doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1). This finding also enabled us to analyze the somatic tissues of the hermaphrodite, and we found that the oral tissues (including gut) were out of register with the aboral tissues (including tube feet) enabling a genetic lineage analysis. Results from this study support a genetic basis of sex determination in sea urchins, the viability of hermaphroditism, and distinguish gonad determination from somatic tissue organization in the adult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosmo A Pieplow
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Aidan R Furze
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Gary M Wessel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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9
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Rockweiler NB, Ramu A, Nagirnaja L, Wong WH, Noordam MJ, Drubin CW, Huang N, Miller B, Todres EZ, Vigh-Conrad KA, Zito A, Small KS, Ardlie KG, Cohen BA, Conrad DF. The origins and functional effects of postzygotic mutations throughout the human life span. Science 2023; 380:eabn7113. [PMID: 37053313 DOI: 10.1126/science.abn7113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Postzygotic mutations (PZMs) begin to accrue in the human genome immediately after fertilization, but how and when PZMs affect development and lifetime health remain unclear. To study the origins and functional consequences of PZMs, we generated a multitissue atlas of PZMs spanning 54 tissue and cell types from 948 donors. Nearly half the variation in mutation burden among tissue samples can be explained by measured technical and biological effects, and 9% can be attributed to donor-specific effects. Through phylogenetic reconstruction of PZMs, we found that their type and predicted functional impact vary during prenatal development, across tissues, and through the germ cell life cycle. Thus, methods for interpreting effects across the body and the life span are needed to fully understand the consequences of genetic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole B Rockweiler
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Avinash Ramu
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Wing H Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michiel J Noordam
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Casey W Drubin
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ni Huang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Brian Miller
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Ellen Z Todres
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Katinka A Vigh-Conrad
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Antonino Zito
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Kerrin S Small
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | | | - Barak A Cohen
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Donald F Conrad
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
- Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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10
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Jiménez R, Burgos M, Barrionuevo FJ. The Biology and Evolution of Fierce Females (Moles and Hyenas). Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2023; 11:141-162. [PMID: 36130099 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-050622-043424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Talpid moles and spotted hyenas have become the paradigms of anatomical and behavioral female masculinization. Females of many mole species develop ovotestes that produce testosterone, show external genitalia that resemble that of males, and close their vaginal orifice after every estrus, and female spotted hyenas lack an external vaginal orifice and develop a pseudoscrotum and a large pseudopenis through which they urinate, mate, and give birth. We review current knowledge about several significant aspects of the biology and evolution of these females, including (a) their specific study methods; (b) their unique anatomical features, and how these peculiarities influence certain physiological functions; and (c) the role that steroid hormones as well as genetic and environmental factors may have in urogenital system development, aggressive behavior, and social dominance. Nevertheless, both mole and hyena females are exceptionally efficient mothers, so their peculiar genitalia should not call into question their femininity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Jiménez
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biotechnology, and Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Armilla, Granada, Spain; , ,
| | - Miguel Burgos
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biotechnology, and Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Armilla, Granada, Spain; , ,
| | - Francisco J Barrionuevo
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biotechnology, and Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Armilla, Granada, Spain; , ,
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11
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Xie C, Cai J, Li N, Hua P, Yang Z, Yu X, Tang D, Hu Y, Liu Q. Yolk sac tumor and dysgerminoma in the left gonad following gonadoblastoma in the right gonad in a 46,XY DSD with a novel SRY missense mutation: a case report. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:58. [PMID: 36694125 PMCID: PMC9872390 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-05317-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 10-15% of 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSDs) have an SRY mutation residing in the high mobility group (HMG) domain. Here, we present a case of 46,XY DSD caused by a novel missense mutation in the HMG region of SRY rapidly progressing to germ cell tumors (GCTs). CASE PRESENTATION An adolescent female (15 years old) exhibiting primary amenorrhea was later diagnosed as a 46,XY female with bilateral gonadal dysplasia on the basis of peripheral lymphocyte karyotype 46,XY and a novel missense mutation in SRY (c.281 T > G, p.L94R). The novel missense mutation (c.281 T > G, p.L94R) and its adjacent region were conserved. Protein structure analysis showed that the mutant site was located in the middle of the HMG domain, and the mutant protein had a diminished ability to bind to DNA. Imaging examination revealed an adolescent female with a naive uterus. Laparoscopy and initial pathological examination revealed left gonadal dysplasia and right gonadal dysplasia with gonadoblastoma (GB). Right gonadectomy by laparoscopy was performed upon consent from the patient's parents. Less than 1 year postoperatively, the left gonadal gland deteriorated as observed by the findings of a mass in the left adnexal region by pelvic MRI and serum AFP > 1000 ng/ml by serological tests, and then total hysterectomy and adnexal and left gonadectomy by laparoscopy were performed. The GCT stage was classified as stage Ic according to FIGO. At this time, pathologic examination showed that the left gonad had progressed to yolk sac tumor and dysgerminoma. The patient underwent chemotherapy post-operatively but developed type III myelosuppression and tumor recurrence several months later. CONCLUSIONS The patient initially presented with right gonadoblastoma but chose only right gonadectomy by laparoscopy to preserve the female sex characteristics, which resulted in rapid deterioration of the left gonad and poor treatment outcomes. This case demonstrates the importance of early genetic diagnosis and treatment of 46,XY female DSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxiu Xie
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731 China
| | - Jian Cai
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Pathology Department, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731 China
| | - Nan Li
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731 China
| | - Ping Hua
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731 China
| | - Zexuan Yang
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Ultrasound Department, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731 China
| | - Xia Yu
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Department of Medical Laboratory, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731 China
| | - Dongmei Tang
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731 China
| | - Yu Hu
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731 China
| | - Qingsong Liu
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731 China
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12
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Murphy MW, Gearhart MD, Wheeler A, Bardwell VJ, Zarkower D. Genomics of sexual cell fate transdifferentiation in the mouse gonad. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac267. [PMID: 36200842 PMCID: PMC9713387 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Sex determination in mammals hinges on a cell fate decision in the fetal bipotential gonad between formation of male Sertoli cells or female granulosa cells. While this decision normally is permanent, loss of key cell fate regulators such as the transcription factors Dmrt1 and Foxl2 can cause postnatal transdifferentiation from Sertoli to granulosa-like (Dmrt1) or vice versa (Foxl2). Here, we examine the mechanism of male-to-female transdifferentiation in mice carrying either a null mutation of Dmrt1 or a point mutation, R111G, that alters the DNA-binding motif and causes human XY gonadal dysgenesis and sex reversal. We first define genes misexpressed during transdifferentiation and then show that female transcriptional regulators driving transdifferentiation in the mutant XY gonad (ESR2, LRH1, FOXL2) bind chromatin sites related to those normally bound in the XX ovary. We next define gene expression changes and abnormal chromatin compartments at the onset of transdifferentiation that may help destabilize cell fate and initiate the transdifferentiation process. We model the R111G mutation in mice and show that it causes dominant gonadal dysgenesis, analogous to its human phenotype but less severe. We show that R111G partially feminizes the testicular transcriptome and causes dominant disruption of DMRT1 binding specificity in vivo. These data help illuminate how transdifferentiation occurs when sexual cell fate maintenance is disrupted and identify chromatin sites and transcripts that may play key roles in the transdifferentiation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W Murphy
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Micah D Gearhart
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Andrew Wheeler
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Vivian J Bardwell
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - David Zarkower
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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13
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de Manuel M, Wu FL, Przeworski M. A paternal bias in germline mutation is widespread in amniotes and can arise independently of cell divisions. eLife 2022; 11:80008. [PMID: 35916372 PMCID: PMC9439683 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans and other mammals, germline mutations are more likely to arise in fathers than in mothers. Although this sex bias has long been attributed to DNA replication errors in spermatogenesis, recent evidence from humans points to the importance of mutagenic processes that do not depend on cell division, calling into question our understanding of this basic phenomenon. Here, we infer the ratio of paternal-to-maternal mutations, α, in 42 species of amniotes, from putatively neutral substitution rates of sex chromosomes and autosomes. Despite marked differences in gametogenesis, physiologies and environments across species, fathers consistently contribute more mutations than mothers in all the species examined, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. In mammals, α is as high as 4 and correlates with generation times; in birds and snakes, α appears more stable around 2. These observations are consistent with a simple model, in which mutations accrue at equal rates in both sexes during early development and at a higher rate in the male germline after sexual differentiation, with a conserved paternal-to-maternal ratio across species. Thus, α may reflect the relative contributions of two or more developmental phases to total germline mutations, and is expected to depend on generation time even if mutations do not track cell divisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc de Manuel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Felix L Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Molly Przeworski
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, United States
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14
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Lundgaard Riis M, Jørgensen A. Deciphering Sex-Specific Differentiation of Human Fetal Gonads: Insight From Experimental Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:902082. [PMID: 35721511 PMCID: PMC9201387 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.902082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-specific gonadal differentiation is initiated by the expression of SRY in male foetuses. This promotes a signalling pathway directing testicular development, while in female foetuses the absence of SRY and expression of pro-ovarian factors promote ovarian development. Importantly, in addition to the initiation of a sex-specific signalling cascade the opposite pathway is simultaneously inhibited. The somatic cell populations within the gonads dictates this differentiation as well as the development of secondary sex characteristics via secretion of endocrine factors and steroid hormones. Opposing pathways SOX9/FGF9 (testis) and WNT4/RSPO1 (ovary) controls the development and differentiation of the bipotential mouse gonad and even though sex-specific gonadal differentiation is largely considered to be conserved between mice and humans, recent studies have identified several differences. Hence, the signalling pathways promoting early mouse gonad differentiation cannot be directly transferred to human development thus highlighting the importance of also examining this signalling in human fetal gonads. This review focus on the current understanding of regulatory mechanisms governing human gonadal sex differentiation by combining knowledge of these processes from studies in mice, information from patients with differences of sex development and insight from manipulation of selected signalling pathways in ex vivo culture models of human fetal gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Lundgaard Riis
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Anne Jørgensen,
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15
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Niu W, Spradling AC. Mouse oocytes develop in cysts with the help of nurse cells. Cell 2022; 185:2576-2590.e12. [PMID: 35623357 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Mouse germline cysts, on average, develop into six oocytes supported by 24 nurse cells that transfer cytoplasm and organelles to generate a Balbiani body. We showed that between E14.5 and P5, cysts periodically activate some nurse cells to begin cytoplasmic transfer, which causes them to shrink and turnover within 2 days. Nurse cells die by a programmed cell death (PCD) pathway involving acidification, similar to Drosophila nurse cells, and only infrequently by apoptosis. Prior to initiating transfer, nurse cells co-cluster by scRNA-seq with their pro-oocyte sisters, but during their final 2 days, they cluster separately. The genes promoting oocyte development and nurse cell PCD are upregulated, whereas the genes that repress transfer, such as Tex14, and oocyte factors, such as Nobox and Lhx8, are under-expressed. The transferred nurse cell centrosomes build a cytocentrum that establishes a large microtubule aster in the primordial oocyte that organizes the Balbiani body, defining the earliest oocyte polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanbao Niu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Laboratories, Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Allan C Spradling
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Laboratories, Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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16
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Li X, Zhu M, Zang M, Cao D, Xie Z, Liang H, Bian Z, Zhao T, Hu Z, Xu EY. PUMILIO-mediated translational control of somatic cell cycle program promotes folliculogenesis and contributes to ovarian cancer progression. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:279. [PMID: 35507203 PMCID: PMC11072887 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04254-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Translational control is a fundamental mechanism regulating animal germ cell development. Gonadal somatic cells provide support and microenvironment for germ cell development to ensure fertility, yet the roles of translational control in gonadal somatic compartment remain largely undefined. We found that mouse homolog of conserved fly germline stem cell factor Pumilio, PUM1, is absent in oocytes of all growing follicles after the primordial follicle stage, instead, it is highly expressed in somatic compartments of ovaries. Global loss of Pum1, not oocyte-specific loss of Pum1, led to a significant reduction in follicular number and size as well as fertility. Whole-genome identification of PUM1 targets in ovarian somatic cells revealed an enrichment of cell proliferation pathway, including 48 key regulators of cell phase transition. Consistently granulosa cells proliferation is reduced and the protein expression of the PUM-bound Cell Cycle Regulators (PCCR) were altered accordingly in mutant ovaries, and specifically in granulosa cells. Increase in negative regulator expression and decrease in positive regulators in the mutant ovaries support a coordinated translational control of somatic cell cycle program via PUM proteins. Furthermore, postnatal knockdown, but not postnatal oocyte-specific loss, of Pum1 in Pum2 knockout mice reduced follicular growth and led to similar expression alteration of PCCR genes, supporting a critical role of PUM-mediated translational control in ovarian somatic cells for mammalian female fertility. Finally, expression of human PUM protein and its regulated cell cycle targets exhibited significant correlation with ovarian cancer and prognosis for cancer survival. Hence, PUMILIO-mediated cell cycle regulation represents an important mechanism in mammalian female reproduction and human cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengyi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Min Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Dandan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zhengyao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Haibo Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zexin Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Tingting Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Eugene Yujun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Department of Neurology, Center for Reproductive Science, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA.
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17
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Wang X, Yin L, Wen Y, Yuan S. Mitochondrial regulation during male germ cell development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:91. [PMID: 35072818 PMCID: PMC11072027 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04134-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria tailor their morphology to execute their specialized functions in different cell types and/or different environments. During spermatogenesis, mitochondria undergo continuous morphological and distributional changes with germ cell development. Deficiencies in these processes lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal spermatogenesis, thereby causing male infertility. In recent years, mitochondria have attracted considerable attention because of their unique role in the regulation of piRNA biogenesis in male germ cells. In this review, we describe the varied characters of mitochondria and focus on key mitochondrial factors that play pivotal roles in the regulation of spermatogenesis, from primordial germ cells to spermatozoa, especially concerning metabolic shift, stemness and reprogramming, mitochondrial transformation and rearrangement, and mitochondrial defects in human sperm. Further, we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Lisha Yin
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yujiao Wen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Laboratory Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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18
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Luo Y, Yu Y. Research Advances in Gametogenesis and Embryogenesis Using Pluripotent Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:801468. [PMID: 35127717 PMCID: PMC8810640 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.801468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The previous studies of human gametogenesis and embryogenesis have left many unanswered questions, which hinders the understanding of the physiology of these two vital processes and the development of diagnosis and treatment strategies for related diseases. Although many results have been obtained from animal studies, particularly mouse research, the results cannot be fully applied to humans due to species differences in physiology and pathology. However, due to ethical and material limitations, the direct study of human gametes and embryos is very difficult. The emergence and rapid development of organoids allow the construction of organoid systems that simulate gametogenesis and embryogenesis in vitro, and many studies have successfully established organoid systems for some parts of or even the entire processes of gametogenesis and embryogenesis. These studies typically start with the establishment of mouse models and then modify these models to obtain human organoid models. These organoid models can be used to obtain a better understanding of the signaling pathways, molecular mechanisms, genetics, and epigenetic changes involved in gametogenesis and embryogenesis and could also be applied to clinical applications, such as drug screening. Here, we discuss the formation of primordial stem cell-like cells (PGCLCs), and in vitro-induced gametes and embryoids using pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). We also analyze their applications and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Luo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Yu,
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19
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Finkielstain GP, Vieites A, Bergadá I, Rey RA. Disorders of Sex Development of Adrenal Origin. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:770782. [PMID: 34987475 PMCID: PMC8720965 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.770782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) are anomalies occurring in the process of fetal sexual differentiation that result in a discordance between the chromosomal sex and the sex of the gonads and/or the internal and/or external genitalia. Congenital disorders affecting adrenal function may be associated with DSD in both 46,XX and 46,XY individuals, but the pathogenic mechanisms differ. While in 46,XX cases, the adrenal steroidogenic disorder is responsible for the genital anomalies, in 46,XY patients DSD results from the associated testicular dysfunction. Primary adrenal insufficiency, characterized by a reduction in cortisol secretion and overproduction of ACTH, is the rule. In addition, patients may exhibit aldosterone deficiency leading to salt-wasting crises that may be life-threatening. The trophic effect of ACTH provokes congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Adrenal steroidogenic defects leading to 46,XX DSD are 21-hydroxylase deficiency, by far the most prevalent, and 11β-hydroxylase deficiency. Lipoid Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to StAR defects, and cytochrome P450scc and P450c17 deficiencies cause DSD in 46,XY newborns. Mutations in SF1 may also result in combined adrenal and testicular failure leading to DSD in 46,XY individuals. Finally, impaired activities of 3βHSD2 or POR may lead to DSD in both 46,XX and 46,XY individuals. The pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management of the above-mentioned disorders are critically reviewed, with a special focus on the latest biomarkers and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela P. Finkielstain
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Vieites
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ignacio Bergadá
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo A. Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología, Embriología y Genética, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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20
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Grinspon RP, Castro S, Rey RA. Up-to-Date Clinical and Biochemical Workup of the Child and the Adolescent with a Suspected Disorder of Sex Development. Horm Res Paediatr 2021; 96:116-127. [PMID: 34781296 DOI: 10.1159/000519895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The suspicion of a disorder of sex development (DSD) often arises at birth, when the newborn presents with ambiguous genitalia, or even during prenatal ultrasound assessments. Less frequently, the aspect of the external genitalia is typically female or male, and the diagnosis of DSD may be delayed until a karyotype is performed for another health issue, or until pubertal age when a girl presents with absence of thelarche and/or menarche or a boy consults for gynaecomastia and/or small testes. SUMMARY In this review, we provide a practical, updated approach to clinical and hormonal laboratory workup of the newborn, the child, and the adolescent with a suspected DSD. We focus on how to specifically address the diagnostic approach according to the age and presentation. Key Message: We particularly highlight the importance of a detailed anatomic description of the external and internal genitalia, adequate imaging studies or surgical exploration, the assessment of reproductive hormone levels - especially testosterone, anti-Müllerian hormone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and gonadotropins - and karyotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina P Grinspon
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET - FEI - División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Castro
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET - FEI - División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo A Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET - FEI - División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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21
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Morgan M, Kumar L, Li Y, Baptissart M. Post-transcriptional regulation in spermatogenesis: all RNA pathways lead to healthy sperm. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:8049-8071. [PMID: 34748024 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04012-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Multiple RNA pathways are required to produce functional sperm. Here, we review RNA post-transcriptional regulation during spermatogenesis with particular emphasis on the role of 3' end modifications. From early studies in the 1970s, it became clear that spermiogenesis transcripts could be stored for days only to be translated at advanced stages of spermatid differentiation. The transition between the translationally repressed and active states was observed to correlate with the shortening of the transcripts' poly(A) tail, establishing a link between RNA 3' end metabolism and male germ cell differentiation. Since then, numerous RNA metabolic pathways have been implicated not only in the progression through spermatogenesis, but also in the maintenance of genomic integrity. Recent studies have characterized the elusive 3' biogenesis of Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), identified a critical role for messenger RNA (mRNA) 3' uridylation in meiotic progression, established the mechanisms that destabilize transcripts with long 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) in post-mitotic cells, and defined the physiological relevance of RNA exonucleases and deadenylases in male germ cells. In this review, we discuss RNA processing in the male germline in the light of the most recent findings. A brief recollection of different RNA-processing events will aid future studies exploring post-transcriptional regulation in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Morgan
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - Lokesh Kumar
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Yin Li
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Marine Baptissart
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
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22
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Ridnik M, Schoenfelder S, Gonen N. Cis-Regulatory Control of Mammalian Sex Determination. Sex Dev 2021; 15:317-334. [PMID: 34710870 PMCID: PMC8743899 DOI: 10.1159/000519244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex determination is the process by which an initial bipotential gonad adopts either a testicular or ovarian cell fate. The inability to properly complete this process leads to a group of developmental disorders classified as disorders of sex development (DSD). To date, dozens of genes were shown to play roles in mammalian sex determination, and mutations in these genes can cause DSD in humans or gonadal sex reversal/dysfunction in mice. However, exome sequencing currently provides genetic diagnosis for only less than half of DSD patients. This points towards a major role for the non-coding genome during sex determination. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of non-coding, cis-acting gene regulatory elements and discuss how they may control transcriptional programmes that underpin sex determination in the context of the 3-dimensional folding of chromatin. As a paradigm, we focus on the Sox9 gene, a prominent pro-male factor and one of the most extensively studied genes in gonadal cell fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meshi Ridnik
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Stefan Schoenfelder
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nitzan Gonen
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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23
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Burgos M, Hurtado A, Jiménez R, Barrionuevo FJ. Non-Coding RNAs: lncRNAs, miRNAs, and piRNAs in Sexual Development. Sex Dev 2021; 15:335-350. [PMID: 34614501 DOI: 10.1159/000519237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNAs that do not encode functional proteins, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In the last 2 decades an effort has been made to uncover the role of ncRNAs during development and disease, and nowadays it is clear that these molecules have a regulatory function in many of the developmental and physiological processes where they have been studied. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of ncRNAs during gonad determination and development, focusing mainly on mammals, although we also provide information from other species, in particular when there is not much information on the function of particular types of ncRNAs during mammalian sexual development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Burgos
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Alicia Hurtado
- Epigenetics and Sex Development Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rafael Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco J Barrionuevo
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
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24
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Estermann MA, Hirst CE, Major AT, Smith CA. The homeobox gene TGIF1 is required for chicken ovarian cortical development and generation of the juxtacortical medulla. Development 2021; 148:dev199646. [PMID: 34387307 PMCID: PMC8406534 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
During early embryogenesis in amniotic vertebrates, the gonads differentiate into either ovaries or testes. The first cell lineage to differentiate gives rise to the supporting cells: Sertoli cells in males and pre-granulosa cells in females. These key cell types direct the differentiation of the other cell types in the gonad, including steroidogenic cells. The gonadal surface epithelium and the interstitial cell populations are less well studied, and little is known about their sexual differentiation programs. Here, we show the requirement of the homeobox transcription factor gene TGIF1 for ovarian development in the chicken embryo. TGIF1 is expressed in the two principal ovarian somatic cell populations: the cortex and the pre-granulosa cells of the medulla. TGIF1 expression is associated with an ovarian phenotype in estrogen-mediated sex reversal experiments. Targeted misexpression and gene knockdown indicate that TGIF1 is required, but not sufficient, for proper ovarian cortex formation. In addition, TGIF1 is identified as the first known regulator of juxtacortical medulla development. These findings provide new insights into chicken ovarian differentiation and development, specifically cortical and juxtacortical medulla formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Craig Allen Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
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25
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Alkhzouz C, Bucerzan S, Miclaus M, Mirea AM, Miclea D. 46,XX DSD: Developmental, Clinical and Genetic Aspects. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:1379. [PMID: 34441313 PMCID: PMC8392837 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Differences in sex development (DSD) in patients with 46,XX karyotype occur by foetal or postnatal exposure to an increased amount of androgens. These disorders are usually diagnosed at birth, in newborns with abnormal genitalia, or later, due to postnatal virilization, usually at puberty. Proper diagnosis and therapy are mostly based on the knowledge of normal development and molecular etiopathogenesis of the gonadal and adrenal structures. This review aims to describe the most relevant data that are correlated with the normal and abnormal development of adrenal and gonadal structures in direct correlation with their utility in clinical practice, mainly in patients with 46,XX karyotype. We described the prenatal development of structures together with the main molecules and pathways that are involved in sex development. The second part of the review described the physical, imaging, hormonal and genetic evaluation in a patient with a disorder of sex development, insisting more on patients with 46,XX karyotype. Further, 95% of the etiology in 46,XX patients with disorders of sex development is due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia, by enzyme deficiencies that are involved in the hormonal synthesis pathway. The other cases are explained by genetic abnormalities that are involved in the development of the genital system. The phenotypic variability is very important in 46,XX disorders of sex development and the knowledge of each sign, even the most discreet, which could reveal such disorders, mainly in the neonatal period, could influence the evolution, prognosis and life quality long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia Alkhzouz
- Mother and Child Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.A.); (S.B.)
- Genetic Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children Cluj-Napoca, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.-M.M.)
| | - Simona Bucerzan
- Mother and Child Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.A.); (S.B.)
- Genetic Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children Cluj-Napoca, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.-M.M.)
| | - Maria Miclaus
- Genetic Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children Cluj-Napoca, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.-M.M.)
| | - Andreea-Manuela Mirea
- Genetic Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children Cluj-Napoca, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.-M.M.)
| | - Diana Miclea
- Mother and Child Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.A.); (S.B.)
- Molecular Science Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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26
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Jiménez R, Burgos M, Barrionuevo FJ. Sex Maintenance in Mammals. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12070999. [PMID: 34209938 PMCID: PMC8303465 DOI: 10.3390/genes12070999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The crucial event in mammalian sexual differentiation occurs at the embryonic stage of sex determination, when the bipotential gonads differentiate as either testes or ovaries, according to the sex chromosome constitution of the embryo, XY or XX, respectively. Once differentiated, testes produce sexual hormones that induce the subsequent differentiation of the male reproductive tract. On the other hand, the lack of masculinizing hormones in XX embryos permits the formation of the female reproductive tract. It was long assumed that once the gonad is differentiated, this developmental decision is irreversible. However, several findings in the last decade have shown that this is not the case and that a continuous sex maintenance is needed. Deletion of Foxl2 in the adult ovary lead to ovary-to-testis transdifferentiation and deletion of either Dmrt1 or Sox9/Sox8 in the adult testis induces the opposite process. In both cases, mutant gonads were genetically reprogrammed, showing that both the male program in ovaries and the female program in testes must be actively repressed throughout the individual's life. In addition to these transcription factors, other genes and molecular pathways have also been shown to be involved in this antagonism. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the genetic basis of sex maintenance once the gonad is already differentiated.
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27
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Lindeman RE, Murphy MW, Agrimson KS, Gewiss R, Bardwell V, Gearhart M, Zarkower D. The conserved sex regulator DMRT1 recruits SOX9 in sexual cell fate reprogramming. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:6144-6164. [PMID: 34096593 PMCID: PMC8216462 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sexual development commences when fetal bipotential progenitor cells adopt male Sertoli (in XY) or female granulosa (in XX) gonadal cell fates. Differentiation of these cells involves extensive divergence in chromatin state and gene expression, reflecting distinct roles in sexual differentiation and gametogenesis. Surprisingly, differentiated gonadal cell fates require active maintenance through postnatal life to prevent sexual transdifferentiation and female cell fate can be reprogrammed by ectopic expression of the sex regulator DMRT1. Here we examine how DMRT1 reprograms granulosa cells to Sertoli-like cells in vivo and in culture. We define postnatal sex-biased gene expression programs and identify three-dimensional chromatin contacts and differentially accessible chromatin regions (DARs) associated with differentially expressed genes. Using a conditional transgene we find DMRT1 only partially reprograms the ovarian transcriptome in the absence of SOX9 and its paralog SOX8, indicating that these factors functionally cooperate with DMRT1. ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq show that DMRT1 induces formation of many DARs that it binds with SOX9, and DMRT1 is required for binding of SOX9 at most of these. We suggest that DMRT1 can act as a pioneer factor to open chromatin and allow binding of SOX9, which then cooperates with DMRT1 to reprogram sexual cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin E Lindeman
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Mark W Murphy
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Kellie S Agrimson
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Rachel L Gewiss
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Vivian J Bardwell
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Micah D Gearhart
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - David Zarkower
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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28
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Du G, Oatley MJ, Law NC, Robbins C, Wu X, Oatley JM. Proper timing of a quiescence period in precursor prospermatogonia is required for stem cell pool establishment in the male germline. Development 2021; 148:261737. [PMID: 33929507 DOI: 10.1242/dev.194571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The stem cell-containing undifferentiated spermatogonial population in mammals, which ensures continual sperm production, arises during development from prospermatogonial precursors. Although a period of quiescence is known to occur in prospermatogonia prior to postnatal spermatogonial transition, the importance of this has not been defined. Here, using mouse models with conditional knockout of the master cell cycle regulator Rb1 to disrupt normal timing of the quiescence period, we found that failure to initiate mitotic arrest during fetal development leads to prospermatogonial apoptosis and germline ablation. Outcomes of single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis indicate that oxidative phosphorylation activity and inhibition of meiotic initiation are disrupted in prospermatogonia that fail to enter quiescence on a normal timeline. Taken together, these findings suggest that key layers of programming are laid down during the quiescent period in prospermatogonia to ensure proper fate specification and fitness in postnatal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guihua Du
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China.,School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Melissa J Oatley
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Nathan C Law
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Colton Robbins
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Xin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Jon M Oatley
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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29
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Estermann MA, Williams S, Hirst CE, Roly ZY, Serralbo O, Adhikari D, Powell D, Major AT, Smith CA. Insights into Gonadal Sex Differentiation Provided by Single-Cell Transcriptomics in the Chicken Embryo. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107491. [PMID: 32268081 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the genetic triggers for gonadal sex differentiation vary across species, the cell biology of gonadal development was long thought to be largely conserved. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of gonadal sex differentiation, using single-cell sequencing in the embryonic chicken gonad during sexual differentiation. The data show that chicken embryonic-supporting cells do not derive from the coelomic epithelium, in contrast to other vertebrates studied. Instead, they derive from a DMRT1+/PAX2+/WNT4+/OSR1+ mesenchymal cell population. We find a greater complexity of gonadal cell types than previously thought, including the identification of two distinct sub-populations of Sertoli cells in developing testes and derivation of embryonic steroidogenic cells from a differentiated supporting-cell lineage. Altogether, these results indicate that, just as the genetic trigger for sex differs across vertebrate groups, cell lineage specification in the gonad may also vary substantially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Andres Estermann
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Sarah Williams
- Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Claire Elizabeth Hirst
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Zahida Yesmin Roly
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Olivier Serralbo
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Deepak Adhikari
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - David Powell
- Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Andrew Thomas Major
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Craig Allen Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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30
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Zhao LW, Fan HY. Revisiting poly(A)-binding proteins: Multifaceted regulators during gametogenesis and early embryogenesis. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2000335. [PMID: 33830517 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Post-transcriptional regulation faces a distinctive challenge in gametes. Transcription is limited when the germ cells enter the division phase due to condensed chromatin, while gene expression during gamete maturation, fertilization, and early cleavage depends on existing mRNA post-transcriptional coordination. The dynamics of the 3'-poly(A) tail play crucial roles in defining mRNA fate. The 3'-poly(A) tail is covered with poly(A)-binding proteins (PABPs) that help to mediate mRNA metabolism and recent work has shed light on the number and function of germ cell-specific expressed PABPs. There are two structurally different PABP groups distinguished by their cytoplasmic and nuclear localization. Both lack catalytic activity but are coupled with various roles through their interaction with multifunctional partners during mRNA metabolism. Here, we present a synopsis of PABP function during gametogenesis and early embryogenesis and describe both conventional and current models of the functions and regulation of PABPs, with an emphasis on the physiological significance of how germ cell-specific PABPs potentially affect human fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Wen Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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31
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Nagahama Y, Chakraborty T, Paul-Prasanth B, Ohta K, Nakamura M. Sex determination, gonadal sex differentiation, and plasticity in vertebrate species. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:1237-1308. [PMID: 33180655 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00044.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A diverse array of sex determination (SD) mechanisms, encompassing environmental to genetic, have been found to exist among vertebrates, covering a spectrum from fixed SD mechanisms (mammals) to functional sex change in fishes (sequential hermaphroditic fishes). A major landmark in vertebrate SD was the discovery of the SRY gene in 1990. Since that time, many attempts to clone an SRY ortholog from nonmammalian vertebrates remained unsuccessful, until 2002, when DMY/dmrt1by was discovered as the SD gene of a small fish, medaka. Surprisingly, however, DMY/dmrt1by was found in only 2 species among more than 20 species of medaka, suggesting a large diversity of SD genes among vertebrates. Considerable progress has been made over the last 3 decades, such that it is now possible to formulate reasonable paradigms of how SD and gonadal sex differentiation may work in some model vertebrate species. This review outlines our current understanding of vertebrate SD and gonadal sex differentiation, with a focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. An impressive number of genes and factors have been discovered that play important roles in testicular and ovarian differentiation. An antagonism between the male and female pathway genes exists in gonads during both sex differentiation and, surprisingly, even as adults, suggesting that, in addition to sex-changing fishes, gonochoristic vertebrates including mice maintain some degree of gonadal sexual plasticity into adulthood. Importantly, a review of various SD mechanisms among vertebrates suggests that this is the ideal biological event that can make us understand the evolutionary conundrums underlying speciation and species diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Nagahama
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Japan.,Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tapas Chakraborty
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Japan.,Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukouka, Japan.,Karatsu Satellite of Aqua-Bioresource Innovation Center, Kyushu University, Karatsu, Japan
| | - Bindhu Paul-Prasanth
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Kohei Ohta
- Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukouka, Japan
| | - Masaru Nakamura
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.,Research Center, Okinawa Churashima Foundation, Okinawa, Japan
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32
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Tao W, Xu L, Zhao L, Zhu Z, Wu X, Min Q, Wang D, Zhou Q. High-quality chromosome-level genomes of two tilapia species reveal their evolution of repeat sequences and sex chromosomes. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 21:543-560. [PMID: 33035394 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Tilapias are one of the most farmed fishes that are coined as "aquatic chicken" by the food industry. Nile tilapia and blue tilapia exhibit very recent transition of sex chromosome systems since their divergence approximately five million years ago, making them a great model for elucidating the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms of sex chromosome turnovers. Studies of their sex-determining pathways are also critical for developing genetic sex control in aquaculture. We report here the newly produced genomes of Nile tilapia and blue tilapia that integrate long-read sequencing and chromatin conformation data. The two nearly complete genomes have anchored over 97% of the sequences into linkage groups (LGs), and assembled majorities of complex repetitive regions including telomeres, centromeres and rDNA clusters. In particular, we inferred two episodes of repeat expansion at LG3 respectively in the ancestor of cichlids and that of tilapias. The consequential large heterochromatic region concentrated at one end of LG3 comprises tandem arrays of mRNA and small RNA genes, among which we have identified a candidate female determining gene Paics in blue tilapia. Paics shows female-specific patterns of single-nucleotide variants, copy numbers and expression patterns in gonads during early gonadogenesis. Our work provides a very important genomic resource for functional studies of cichlids, and suggested that unequal distribution of repeat content that impacts the local recombination rate might make some chromosomes more likely to become sex chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Tao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Luohao Xu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zexian Zhu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qianwen Min
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Ortega EA, Salvador Q, Fernandez M, Ward MA. Alterations of sex determination pathways in the genital ridges of males with limited Y chromosome genes†. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:810-823. [PMID: 30285093 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that in the mouse only two Y chromosome genes are required for a male to produce an offspring with the help of assisted reproduction technologies (ART): testis determinant Sry and spermatogonial proliferation factor Eif2s3y. Subsequently, we have shown that the function of these genes can be replaced by transgenic overexpression of their homologs, autosomally encoded Sox9 and X-chromosome encoded Eif2s3x. Males with Y chromosome contribution limited to two (XEif2s3yOSry), one (XEif2s3yOSox9 and XOSry,Eif2s3x), and no genes (XOSox9,Eif2s3x) produced haploid germ cells and sired offspring after ART. However, despite successful assisted reproductive outcome, they had smaller testes and displayed abnormal development of the seminiferous epithelium and testicular interstitium. Here we explored whether these testicular defects originated from altered pro-testis and pro-ovary factor signaling in genital ridges at the time of sex determination. Timed pregnancies were generated to obtain transgenic XEif2s3yOSry, XEif2s3yOSox9, XOSry,Eif2s3x, XOSox9,Eif2s3x, and wild-type XX and XY fetuses at 12.5 days post coitum. Dissected genital ridges were assessed for their morphology and anatomy, and expression of pro-testis and pro-ovary transcripts. All transgenic males displayed incomplete masculinization of gonadal shape, impaired development of testicular cords and gonadal vasculature, and decreased expression of factors promoting male pathway. Fetal gonad masculinization was more effective when sex determination was driven by the Sry transgene, in the presence of Y chromosome genes, and to a lesser extent a double dosage of X genes. The study adds to the understanding of the role of Y chromosome genes and their homologs during sex determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eglė A Ortega
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Quinci Salvador
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Mayumi Fernandez
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Monika A Ward
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Grinspon RP, Bergadá I, Rey RA. Male Hypogonadism and Disorders of Sex Development. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:211. [PMID: 32351452 PMCID: PMC7174651 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) are congenital anomalies in which there is a discordance between chromosomal, genetic, gonadal, and/or internal/external genital sex. In XY individuals, the process of fetal sex differentiation can be disrupted at the stage of gonadal differentiation, resulting in gonadal dysgenesis, a form of early fetal-onset primary hypogonadism characterized by insufficient androgen and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) production, which leads to the development of ambiguous or female genitalia. The process of sex differentiation can also be disrupted at the stage of genital differentiation, due to isolated defects in androgen or AMH secretion, but not both. These are forms of fetal-onset hypogonadism with dissociated gonadal dysfunction. In this review, we present a perspective on impaired testicular endocrine function, i.e., fetal-onset male hypogonadism, resulting in incomplete virilization at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina P. Grinspon
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET—FEI—División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Romina P. Grinspon
| | - Ignacio Bergadá
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET—FEI—División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo A. Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET—FEI—División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología, Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Grinspon RP, Rey RA. Molecular Characterization of XX Maleness. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20236089. [PMID: 31816857 PMCID: PMC6928850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20236089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgens and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), secreted by the foetal testis, are responsible for the development of male reproductive organs and the regression of female anlagen. Virilization of the reproductive tract in association with the absence of Müllerian derivatives in the XX foetus implies the existence of testicular tissue, which can occur in the presence or absence of SRY. Recent advancement in the knowledge of the opposing gene cascades driving to the differentiation of the gonadal ridge into testes or ovaries during early foetal development has provided insight into the molecular explanation of XX maleness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina P. Grinspon
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Correspondence: (R.P.G.); (R.A.R.); Tel.: +54-11-49635931 (R.P.G.)
| | - Rodolfo A. Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Histología, Biología Celular, Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1121ABG Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Correspondence: (R.P.G.); (R.A.R.); Tel.: +54-11-49635931 (R.P.G.)
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36
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Yadu N, Kumar PG. Retinoic acid signaling in regulation of meiosis during embryonic development in mice. Genesis 2019; 57:e23327. [PMID: 31313882 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the embryonic gonads of mice, the genetic and epigenetic regulatory programs for germ cell sex specification and meiosis induction or suppression are intertwined. The quest for garnering comprehensive understanding of these programs has led to the emergence of retinoic acid (RA) as an important extrinsic factor, which regulates initiation of meiosis in female fetal germ cells that have attained a permissive epigenetic ground state. In contrast, germ cells in fetal testis are protected from the exposure to RA due to the activity of CYP26B1, an RA metabolizing enzyme, which is highly expressed in fetal testis. In this review, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms operating in fetal gonads of mice, which enable regulation of meiosis via RA signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nomesh Yadu
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Pradeep G Kumar
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
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Herpin A, Schmidt C, Kneitz S, Gobé C, Regensburger M, Le Cam A, Montfort J, Adolfi MC, Lillesaar C, Wilhelm D, Kraeussling M, Mourot B, Porcon B, Pannetier M, Pailhoux E, Ettwiller L, Dolle D, Guiguen Y, Schartl M. A novel evolutionary conserved mechanism of RNA stability regulates synexpression of primordial germ cell-specific genes prior to the sex-determination stage in medaka. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000185. [PMID: 30947255 PMCID: PMC6448818 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dmrt1 is a highly conserved transcription factor, which is critically involved in regulation of gonad development of vertebrates. In medaka, a duplicate of dmrt1-acting as master sex-determining gene-has a tightly timely and spatially controlled gonadal expression pattern. In addition to transcriptional regulation, a sequence motif in the 3' UTR (D3U-box) mediates transcript stability of dmrt1 mRNAs from medaka and other vertebrates. We show here that in medaka, two RNA-binding proteins with antagonizing properties target this D3U-box, promoting either RNA stabilization in germ cells or degradation in the soma. The D3U-box is also conserved in other germ-cell transcripts, making them responsive to the same RNA binding proteins. The evolutionary conservation of the D3U-box motif within dmrt1 genes of metazoans-together with preserved expression patterns of the targeting RNA binding proteins in subsets of germ cells-suggest that this new mechanism for controlling RNA stability is not restricted to fishes but might also apply to other vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaury Herpin
- INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, Rennes, France
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Wuerzburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Cornelia Schmidt
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Kneitz
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Clara Gobé
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France
| | | | - Aurélie Le Cam
- INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, Rennes, France
| | | | - Mateus C. Adolfi
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Christina Lillesaar
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wilhelm
- University of Melbourne, Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Kraeussling
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Maëlle Pannetier
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - Eric Pailhoux
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - Laurence Ettwiller
- University of Heidelberg, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Department of Developmental Biology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Dolle
- University of Heidelberg, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Department of Developmental Biology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yann Guiguen
- INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, Rennes, France
| | - Manfred Schartl
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Hagler Institute for Advanced Study and Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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Abstract
The bipotential nature of cell types in the early developing gonad and the process of sex determination leading to either testis or ovary differentiation makes this an interesting system in which to study transcriptional regulation of gene expression and cell fate decisions. SOX9 is a transcription factor with multiple roles during development, including being a key player in mediating testis differentiation and therefore subsequent male development. Loss of Sox9 expression in both humans and mice results in XY female development, whereas its inappropriate activation in XX embryonic gonads can give male development. Multiple cases of Disorders of Sex Development in human patients or sex reversal in mice and other vertebrates can be explained by mutations affecting upstream regulators of Sox9 expression, such as the product of the Y chromosome gene Sry that triggers testis differentiation. Other cases are due to mutations in the Sox9 gene itself, including its own regulatory region. Indeed, rearrangements in and around the Sox9 genomic locus indicate the presence of multiple critical enhancers and the complex nature of its regulation. Here we summarize what is known about the role of Sox9 and its regulation during gonad development, including recently discovered critical enhancers. We also discuss higher order chromatin organization and how this might be involved. We end with some interesting future directions that have the potential to further enrich our understanding on the complex, multi-layered regulation controlling Sox9 expression in the gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitzan Gonen
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
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39
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The unusual rainbow trout sex determination gene hijacked the canonical vertebrate gonadal differentiation pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:12781-12786. [PMID: 30463951 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1803826115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary novelties require rewiring of transcriptional networks and/or the evolution of new gene functions. Sex determination (SD), one of the most plastic evolutionary processes, requires such novelties. Studies on the evolution of vertebrate SD revealed that new master SD genes are generally recruited from genes involved in the downstream SD regulatory genetic network. Only a single exception to this rule is currently known in vertebrates: the intriguing case of the salmonid master SD gene (sdY), which arose from duplication of an immune-related gene. This exception immediately posed the question of how a gene outside from the classical sex differentiation cascade could acquire its function as a male SD gene. Here we show that SdY became integrated in the classical vertebrate sex differentiation cascade by interacting with the Forkhead box domain of the female-determining transcription factor, Foxl2. In the presence of Foxl2, SdY is translocated to the nucleus where the SdY:Foxl2 complex prevents activation of the aromatase (cyp19a1a) promoter in cooperation with Nr5a1 (Sf1). Hence, by blocking a positive loop of regulation needed for the synthesis of estrogens in the early differentiating gonad, SdY disrupts a preset female differentiation pathway, consequently allowing testicular differentiation to proceed. These results also suggest that the evolution of unusual vertebrate master sex determination genes recruited from outside the classical pathway like sdY is strongly constrained by their ability to interact with the canonical gonadal differentiation pathway.
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Vizziano-Cantonnet D, Lasalle A, Di Landro S, Klopp C, Genthon C. De novo transcriptome analysis to search for sex-differentiation genes in the Siberian sturgeon. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 268:96-109. [PMID: 30081002 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The sturgeon family includes many species that are lucrative for commercial caviar production, some of which face critical conservation problems. The purpose of this study was to identify genes involved in gonadal sex differentiation in sturgeons, contributing to our understanding of the biological cycle of this valuable species. A high-quality de novo Siberian sturgeon gonadal transcriptome was built for this study using gonadal samples from undifferentiated fish at 3, 5, and 6 months of age; recently sex-differentiated fish at 9 months of age; and immature males and females at 14-17 months of age. Undifferentiated fish were sexed after validation of forkhead box L2 (foxl2) and cytochrome P450, family 19, subfamily A, and polypeptide 1a (cyp19a1a) as sex markers, and the transcriptomes of the 3-month-old undifferentiated fish, 5-6-month-old future females, and 5-6-month-old putative males were compared. The ovarian program was associated with strong activation of genes involved in estrogen synthesis (cyp19a1, foxl2, and estradiol 17-beta-dehydrogenase 1), stem-cell niche building and regulation, and sex-specific nerve cell development. The genes related to the stem-cell niche were: (1) the family of iroquois-class homeodomain proteins 3, 4, and 5 (irx3, irx4, irx5-1, irx5-2, and irx5-3), which are essential for somatic-germ cell interaction; (2) extracellular matrix remodeling genes, such as collagen type XXVIII alpha 1 chain and collagen type II alpha 1 chain, matrix metalloproteinases 24-1 and 24-2, and NADPH oxidase organizer 1, which, along with the somatic cells, provide architectural support for the stem-cell niche; and (3) mitogenic factors, such as lim homeobox 2, amphiregulin, G2/M phase-specific E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, and connector enhancer of kinase suppressor of ras 2, which are up regulated in conjunction with the anti-apoptotic gene G2/M phase-specific E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase suggesting a potential involvement in regulating the number of germ cells. Genes related to sex-specific nerve cell developments were: the neurofilament medium polypeptides, the gene coding for serotonin receptor 7, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 7; neurotensin, isoform CRA-a, the neuron-specific transmembrane protein Delta/Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor; and insulinoma-associated protein 1. The putative testicular program was poorly characterized by elements of the immune response. The classic markers of maleness were not specifically activated, indicating that testicular differentiation occurs at a later stage. In sum, the ovarian program, but not the testicular program, is in place by 5-6 months of age in the Siberian sturgeon. The female program is characterized by estrogen-related genes with well-established roles in gonadal differentiation, but also by several genes with no previously-described function in the ovarian development of fish. These newly-reported genes are involved in stem-cell niche building and regulation as well as sex-specific nerve development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Vizziano-Cantonnet
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de la Reproducción y Ecología de Peces, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
| | - André Lasalle
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de la Reproducción y Ecología de Peces, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Santiago Di Landro
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de la Reproducción y Ecología de Peces, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Christophe Klopp
- INRA, SIGENAE, MIAT UR875, Chemin de Borde-Rouge - Auzeville, BP 52627, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan Cedex, France
| | - Clémence Genthon
- Plateforme Génomique, INRA Auzeville, Chemin de Borde Rouge-CS 52627, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan Cédex, France
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41
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Ovarian activity regulation by anti-Müllerian hormone in early stages of human female life, an overview. ANTHROPOLOGICAL REVIEW 2018. [DOI: 10.2478/anre-2018-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed at describing the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), with special focus on molecular background for ovarian activity, in particular the role AMH plays in sex determination and gonadogenesis process in early stages of prenatal life and folliculogenesis in postnatal life. It is a review of the literature currently indexed and abstracted in MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Google Scholars. The process of sex determination and gonad differentiation occurring during embryogenesis was discussed along with underlying molecular mechanisms. In the postnatal life the impact of AMH on the process of folliculogenesis was described. Clinical use of recent findings was shown as well. Genetic studies and molecular analyses have demonstrated that AMH is highly conservative, indicating its significance in reproductive process on the background of evolutionary processes.
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Stévant I, Nef S. Single cell transcriptome sequencing: A new approach for the study of mammalian sex determination. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 468:11-18. [PMID: 29371022 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sex determination is a highly complex developmental process that is particularly difficult to study due to the limited number of gonadal cells present at the bipotential stage, the large cellular heterogeneity in both testis and ovaries and the rapid sex-dependent differentiation processes. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) circumvents the averaging artifacts associated with methods traditionally used to profile bulk populations of cells. It is a powerful tool that allows the identification and classification of cell populations in a comprehensive and unbiased manner. In particular, scRNA-seq enables the tracing of cells along developmental trajectories and characterization of the transcriptional dynamics controlling their differentiation. In this review, we describe the current state-of-the-art experimental methods used for scRNA-seq and discuss their strengths and limitations. Additionally, we summarize the multiple key insights that scRNA-seq has provided to the understanding of mammalian sex determination. Finally, we briefly discuss the future of this technology, as well as complementary applications in single cell -omics in the context of mammalian sex determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Stévant
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; SIB, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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43
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Levasseur A, Paquet M, Boerboom D, Boyer A. Yes-associated protein and WW-containing transcription regulator 1 regulate the expression of sex-determining genes in Sertoli cells, but their inactivation does not cause sex reversal. Biol Reprod 2018. [PMID: 28637242 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW-containing transcription regulator 1 (WWTR1) are two functionally redundant transcriptional regulators that are downstream effectors of the Hippo signaling pathway, and that act as major regulators of cell growth and differentiation. To elucidate their role in Sertoli cells, primary Sertoli cell culture from Yapflox/flox; Wwtr1flox/flox animals were infected with a Cre recombinase-expressing adenovirus. Concomitant inactivation of Yap and Wwtr1 resulted in a decrease in the mRNA levels of the male sex differentiation genes Dhh, Dmrt1, Sox9, and Wt1, whereas those of genes involved in female differentiation (Wnt4, Rspo1, and Foxl2) were induced. SOX9, FOXL2, and WNT4 proteins were regulated in the same manner as their mRNAs in response to loss of YAP and WWTR1. To further characterize the role of YAP and WWTR1 in Sertoli cells, we generated a mouse model (Yapflox/flox; Wwtr1flox/flox; Amhcre/+) in which Yap and Wwtr1 were conditionally deleted in Sertoli cells. An increase in the number of apoptotic cells was observed in the seminiferous tubules of 4 dpp mutant mice, leading to a reduction in testis weights and a decrease in the number of Sertoli cells in adult animals. Gene expression analyses of testes from 4 dpp Yapflox/flox; Wwtr1flox/flox; Amhcre/+ mice showed that Sertoli cell differentiation is initially altered, as Dhh, Dmrt1, and Sox9 mRNA levels were downregulated, whereas Wnt4 mRNA levels were increased. However, expression of these genes was not changed in older animals. Together, these results suggest a novel role of the Hippo signaling pathway in the mechanisms of sex differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Levasseur
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marilène Paquet
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexandre Boyer
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
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44
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Portnoi MF, Dumargne MC, Rojo S, Witchel SF, Duncan AJ, Eozenou C, Bignon-Topalovic J, Yatsenko SA, Rajkovic A, Reyes-Mugica M, Almstrup K, Fusee L, Srivastava Y, Chantot-Bastaraud S, Hyon C, Louis-Sylvestre C, Validire P, de Malleray Pichard C, Ravel C, Christin-Maitre S, Brauner R, Rossetti R, Persani L, Charreau EH, Dain L, Chiauzzi VA, Mazen I, Rouba H, Schluth-Bolard C, MacGowan S, McLean WHI, Patin E, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Jauch R, Achermann JC, Siffroi JP, McElreavey K, Bashamboo A. Mutations involving the SRY-related gene SOX8 are associated with a spectrum of human reproductive anomalies. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:1228-1240. [PMID: 29373757 PMCID: PMC6159538 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SOX8 is an HMG-box transcription factor closely related to SRY and SOX9. Deletion of the gene encoding Sox8 in mice causes reproductive dysfunction but the role of SOX8 in humans is unknown. Here, we show that SOX8 is expressed in the somatic cells of the early developing gonad in the human and influences human sex determination. We identified two individuals with 46, XY disorders/differences in sex development (DSD) and chromosomal rearrangements encompassing the SOX8 locus and a third individual with 46, XY DSD and a missense mutation in the HMG-box of SOX8. In vitro functional assays indicate that this mutation alters the biological activity of the protein. As an emerging body of evidence suggests that DSDs and infertility can have common etiologies, we also analysed SOX8 in a cohort of infertile men (n = 274) and two independent cohorts of women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI; n = 153 and n = 104). SOX8 mutations were found at increased frequency in oligozoospermic men (3.5%; P < 0.05) and POI (5.06%; P = 4.5 × 10-5) as compared with fertile/normospermic control populations (0.74%). The mutant proteins identified altered SOX8 biological activity as compared with the wild-type protein. These data demonstrate that SOX8 plays an important role in human reproduction and SOX8 mutations contribute to a spectrum of phenotypes including 46, XY DSD, male infertility and 46, XX POI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-France Portnoi
- APHP Département de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris
75012, France
- UPMC, University Paris 06, INSERM UMR_S933, Hôpital Armand Trousseau,
Paris 75012, France
| | | | - Sandra Rojo
- Human Developmental Genetics, CNRS UMR3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris
75724, France
| | - Selma F Witchel
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Andrew J Duncan
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of
Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Caroline Eozenou
- Human Developmental Genetics, CNRS UMR3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris
75724, France
| | | | - Svetlana A Yatsenko
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences,
Magee-Women’s Research Institute
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of
Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Aleksandar Rajkovic
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences,
Magee-Women’s Research Institute
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of
Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Miguel Reyes-Mugica
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences,
Magee-Women’s Research Institute
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of
Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet,
DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leila Fusee
- Human Developmental Genetics, CNRS UMR3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris
75724, France
| | - Yogesh Srivastava
- Genome Regulation Laboratory, Drug Discovery Pipeline, South China
Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of
Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem
Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative
Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou
Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530,
China
| | - Sandra Chantot-Bastaraud
- APHP Département de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris
75012, France
- UPMC, University Paris 06, INSERM UMR_S933, Hôpital Armand Trousseau,
Paris 75012, France
| | - Capucine Hyon
- APHP Département de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris
75012, France
- UPMC, University Paris 06, INSERM UMR_S933, Hôpital Armand Trousseau,
Paris 75012, France
| | | | - Pierre Validire
- Département d’Anatomie Pathologique, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris,
Paris 75014, France
| | | | - Celia Ravel
- Biology of Reproduction, CHU Rennes, Rennes 35033, France
| | - Sophie Christin-Maitre
- UPMC, University Paris 06, INSERM UMR_S933, Hôpital Armand Trousseau,
Paris 75012, France
- Service d'Endocrinologie, Diabétologie et Endocrinologie de la
Reproduction, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris 75012, France
| | - Raja Brauner
- Université Paris Descartes and Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Fondation
Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris 75019, France
| | - Raffaella Rossetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, University of
Milan, Milan 20122, Italy
- Laboratory of Endocrine & Metabolic Research and Division of
Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan 20149,
Italy
| | - Luca Persani
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, University of
Milan, Milan 20122, Italy
- Laboratory of Endocrine & Metabolic Research and Division of
Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan 20149,
Italy
| | - Eduardo H Charreau
- Centro Nacional de Genética Médica, Administración Nacional de
Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS) Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Buenos Aires C1428ADN,
Argentina
- Department of Physiology, Instituto de Biología y Medicina
Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IBYME-CONICET),
Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Liliana Dain
- Centro Nacional de Genética Médica, Administración Nacional de
Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS) Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Buenos Aires C1428ADN,
Argentina
- Department of Physiology, Instituto de Biología y Medicina
Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IBYME-CONICET),
Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Violeta A Chiauzzi
- Centro Nacional de Genética Médica, Administración Nacional de
Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS) Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Buenos Aires C1428ADN,
Argentina
- Department of Physiology, Instituto de Biología y Medicina
Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IBYME-CONICET),
Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Inas Mazen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, National Research Centre, Cairo 12622,
Egypt
| | - Hassan Rouba
- Human Genetics Unit, Institut Pasteur of Morocco, Casablanca 20250,
Morocco
| | | | - Stuart MacGowan
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, School of Life Sciences,
University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - W H Irwin McLean
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, School of Life Sciences,
University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Etienne Patin
- Human Evolutionary Genetics, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75724,
France
| | - Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet,
DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ralf Jauch
- Genome Regulation Laboratory, Drug Discovery Pipeline, South China
Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of
Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem
Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative
Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou
Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530,
China
| | - John C Achermann
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of
Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Jean-Pierre Siffroi
- APHP Département de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris
75012, France
- UPMC, University Paris 06, INSERM UMR_S933, Hôpital Armand Trousseau,
Paris 75012, France
| | - Ken McElreavey
- Human Developmental Genetics, CNRS UMR3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris
75724, France
| | - Anu Bashamboo
- Human Developmental Genetics, CNRS UMR3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris
75724, France
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45
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Witchel SF. Disorders of sex development. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2018; 48:90-102. [PMID: 29503125 PMCID: PMC5866176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Normal sex development depends on the precise spatio-temporal sequence and coordination of mutually antagonistic activating and repressing factors. These factors regulate the commitment of the unipotential gonad into the binary pathways governing normal sex development. Typically, the presence of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome triggers the cascade of molecular events that lead to male sex development. Disorders of sex development comprise a heterogeneous group of congenital conditions associated with atypical development of internal and external genitalia. These disorders are generally attributed to deviations from the typical progression of sex development. Disorders of sex development can be classified into several categories including chromosomal, gonadal, and anatomic abnormalities. Genetic tools such as microarray analyses and next-generation sequencing techniques have identified novel genetic variants among patients with disorders of sexual development. Most importantly, patient management needs to be individualized, especially for decisions related to sex of rearing, surgical interventions, hormone treatment, and potential for fertility preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Feldman Witchel
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA.
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46
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Puttabyatappa M, Padmanabhan V. Developmental Programming of Ovarian Functions and Dysfunctions. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2018; 107:377-422. [PMID: 29544638 PMCID: PMC6119353 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the origin of several ovarian pathologies remain unclear. In addition to the genetic basis, developmental insults are gaining attention as a basis for the origin of these pathologies. Such early insults include maternal over or under nutrition, stress, and exposure to environmental chemicals. This chapter reviews the development and physiological function of the ovary, the known ovarian pathologies, the developmental check points of ovarian differentiation impacted by developmental insults, the role played by steroidal and metabolic factors as mediaries, the epigenetic mechanisms via which these mediaries induce their effects, and the knowledge gaps for targeting future studies to ultimately aid in the development of improved treatments.
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47
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Ouimette JF, Rougeulle C, Veitia RA. Three-dimensional genome architecture in health and disease. Clin Genet 2018; 95:189-198. [PMID: 29377081 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
More than a decade of massive DNA sequencing efforts have generated a large body of genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic information that has provided a more and more detailed view of the functional elements and transactions within the human genome. Considerable efforts have also focused on linking these elements with one another by mapping their interactions and by establishing 3-dimensional (3D) genomic landscapes in various cell and tissue types. In parallel, multiple studies have associated genomic deletions, duplications and other rearrangements with human pathologies. In this review, we explore recent progresses that have allowed connecting disease-causing alterations with perturbations of the 3D genome organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-F Ouimette
- Epigenetics and Cell Fate Center, UMR7216 CNRS, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - C Rougeulle
- Epigenetics and Cell Fate Center, UMR7216 CNRS, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - R A Veitia
- Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France.,Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
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48
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Schartl M, Schories S, Wakamatsu Y, Nagao Y, Hashimoto H, Bertin C, Mourot B, Schmidt C, Wilhelm D, Centanin L, Guiguen Y, Herpin A. Sox5 is involved in germ-cell regulation and sex determination in medaka following co-option of nested transposable elements. BMC Biol 2018; 16:16. [PMID: 29378592 PMCID: PMC5789577 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0485-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sex determination relies on a hierarchically structured network of genes, and is one of the most plastic processes in evolution. The evolution of sex-determining genes within a network, by neo- or sub-functionalization, also requires the regulatory landscape to be rewired to accommodate these novel gene functions. We previously showed that in medaka fish, the regulatory landscape of the master male-determining gene dmrt1bY underwent a profound rearrangement, concomitantly with acquiring a dominant position within the sex-determining network. This rewiring was brought about by the exaptation of a transposable element (TE) called Izanagi, which is co-opted to act as a silencer to turn off the dmrt1bY gene after it performed its function in sex determination. Results We now show that a second TE, Rex1, has been incorporated into Izanagi. The insertion of Rex1 brought in a preformed regulatory element for the transcription factor Sox5, which here functions in establishing the temporal and cell-type-specific expression pattern of dmrt1bY. Mutant analysis demonstrates the importance of Sox5 in the gonadal development of medaka, and possibly in mice, in a dmrt1bY-independent manner. Moreover, Sox5 medaka mutants have complete female-to-male sex reversal. Conclusions Our work reveals an unexpected complexity in TE-mediated transcriptional rewiring, with the exaptation of a second TE into a network already rewired by a TE. We also show a dual role for Sox5 during sex determination: first, as an evolutionarily conserved regulator of germ-cell number in medaka, and second, by de novo regulation of dmrt1 transcriptional activity during primary sex determination due to exaptation of the Rex1 transposable element. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12915-018-0485-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Schartl
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.,Texas Institute for Advanced Study and Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Susanne Schories
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yuko Wakamatsu
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yusuke Nagao
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hisashi Hashimoto
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Chloé Bertin
- INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Brigitte Mourot
- INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Cornelia Schmidt
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wilhelm
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Lazaro Centanin
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yann Guiguen
- INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Amaury Herpin
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany. .,INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France.
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49
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Miyauchi H, Ohta H, Nagaoka S, Nakaki F, Sasaki K, Hayashi K, Yabuta Y, Nakamura T, Yamamoto T, Saitou M. Bone morphogenetic protein and retinoic acid synergistically specify female germ-cell fate in mice. EMBO J 2017; 36:3100-3119. [PMID: 28928204 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201796875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanism for sex determination in mammalian germ cells remains unclear. Here, we reconstitute the female sex determination in mouse germ cells in vitro under a defined condition without the use of gonadal somatic cells. We show that retinoic acid (RA) and its key effector, STRA8, are not sufficient to induce the female germ-cell fate. In contrast, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and RA synergistically induce primordial germ cells (PGCs)/PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into fetal primary oocytes. The induction is characterized by entry into the meiotic prophase, occurs synchronously and recapitulates cytological and transcriptome progression in vivo faithfully. Importantly, the female germ-cell induction necessitates a proper cellular competence-most typically, DNA demethylation of relevant genes-which is observed in appropriately propagated PGCs/PGCLCs, but not in PGCs/PGCLCs immediately after induction. This provides an explanation for the differential function of BMP signaling between PGC specification and female germ-cell induction. Our findings represent a framework for a comprehensive delineation of the sex-determination pathway in mammalian germ cells, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidetaka Miyauchi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohta
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Kyoto, Japan
| | - So Nagaoka
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Fumio Nakaki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kotaro Sasaki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,JST, PRESTO, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Developmental Stem Cell Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yabuta
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomonori Nakamura
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,AMED-CREST, AMED, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan .,JST, ERATO, Kyoto, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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50
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Sex chromosomes drive gene expression and regulatory dimorphisms in mouse embryonic stem cells. Biol Sex Differ 2017; 8:28. [PMID: 28818098 PMCID: PMC5561606 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-017-0150-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-implantation embryos exhibit sexual dimorphisms in both primates and rodents. To determine whether these differences reflected sex-biased expression patterns, we generated transcriptome profiles for six 40,XX, six 40,XY, and two 39,X mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells by RNA sequencing. RESULTS We found hundreds of coding and non-coding RNAs that were differentially expressed between male and female cells. Surprisingly, the majority of these were autosomal and included RNA encoding transcription and epigenetic and chromatin remodeling factors. We showed differential Prdm14-responsive enhancer activity in male and female cells, correlating with the sex-specific levels of Prdm14 expression. This is the first time sex-specific enhancer activity in ES cells has been reported. Evaluation of X-linked gene expression patterns between our XX and XY lines revealed four distinct categories: (1) genes showing 2-fold greater expression in the female cells; (2) a set of genes with expression levels well above 2-fold in female cells; (3) genes with equivalent RNA levels in male and female cells; and strikingly, (4) a small number of genes with higher expression in the XY lines. Further evaluation of autosomal gene expression revealed differential expression of imprinted loci, despite appropriate parent-of-origin patterns. The 39,X lines aligned closely with the XY cells and provided insights into potential regulation of genes associated with Turner syndrome in humans. Moreover, inclusion of the 39,X lines permitted three-way comparisons, delineating X and Y chromosome-dependent patterns. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results support the role of the sex chromosomes in establishing sex-specific networks early in embryonic development and provide insights into effects of sex chromosome aneuploidies originating at those stages.
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