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Wang Y, Xu G, Li H, Gao J, Du X, Jiang W, Ji G, Liu Z. Zglp-1 is a novel essential transcriptional regulator for sex reversal in zebrafish. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2025; 7:256-270. [PMID: 40417248 PMCID: PMC12102022 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-025-00299-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2025] [Indexed: 05/27/2025]
Abstract
Sex determination and differentiation play crucial biological roles in sexual reproduction in vertebrates, including zebrafish. Nevertheless, the intricate molecular mechanisms governing these processes have remained enigmatic. In this study, we showed a pivotal role played by zinc finger GATA-like protein-1 (Zglp-1) in sex differentiation in zebrafish. Our findings revealed that homozygous mutants having no Zglp-1 exhibited a female-to-male sex reversal, ultimately resulting in the development of fertile males. Within the pivotal phase of sexual differentiation, zglp-1 -/- zebrafish demonstrated a gene expression pattern that was skewed toward a male phenotype. Notably, the expression of amh was upregulated, while the expression of cyp19a1a was not sustained. Furthermore, our data revealed a direct interaction between the zinc fingers of Zglp-1 and Sf-1, which inhibited the ability of Sf-1 to activate the amh promoter. This interaction was crucial for regulating sex differentiation. Moreover, we observed alterations in gonadal cell proliferation and apoptosis in zglp-1 -/- zebrafish, which partially contributed to the sexual fate selection. Overall, our findings firmly established Zglp-1 as a crucial regulator of sex differentiation in zebrafish, offering deep insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms that govern sex determination and differentiation in vertebrates. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00299-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education), Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Gaoqian Xu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education), Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Haoyi Li
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education), Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Jing Gao
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education), Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Xueqing Du
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education), Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Wanyue Jiang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education), Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Guangdong Ji
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education), Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, 266237 China
| | - Zhenhui Liu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education), Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, 266237 China
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2
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Ye Z, Elaswad A, Qin G, Zhang D, Su B, Khalil K, Qin Z, Abass NY, Cheng Q, Odin R, Vo K, Backenstose N, Drescher D, Shang M, Li H, Zhang D, Bugg WS, Gosh K, Dunham RA. Sterilization of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) via Overexpression of bax Gene Regulated by a Tet-off System in the Primordial Germ Cells. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2025; 27:79. [PMID: 40299219 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-025-10456-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2025] [Accepted: 04/09/2025] [Indexed: 04/30/2025]
Abstract
Transgenic technologies have been used for genetic improvement of catfish performance with notable success. However, these developments are useless from a commercialization standpoint without extremely efficient confinement. Transgenic sterilization has the potential to accomplish 100% reproductive confinement and avoid genetic exchange between transgenic or domestic genotypes and wild populations. The present study reports a novel sterilization method for channel catfish by overexpressing the pro-apoptosis gene bax, specifically in the primordial germ cells, to inhibit their proliferation. Three transgenic constructs were electroporated into channel catfish one-cell embryos, including Nanos-nanos, Nanos-dnd, and Dazl-vasa. Transgene integration, gonad development, and sex ratio were evaluated in P1 and F1 generations. The transgene was successfully integrated into the channel catfish genome, with variable rates depending on each construct. Mosaicism of transgene integration was widely evident in the P1 fish, as expected. All three constructs showed similar efficacy for sterilizing P1 male channel catfish, with approximately half of all males showing little to no gonadal development, resulting in a significantly lower (p < 0.05) gonadosomatic index (GSI) when compared to the control at four years of age. The same trend occurred but with lower efficacy in P1 females, with approximately one-third showing little gonadal development at four years of age. This technology is potentially useful for generating sterile male fish, where the overexpression of the bax gene can lead to reduced or no gonadal development, presumably due to the death of primordial germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Ye
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, 572024, China.
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Ahmed Elaswad
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- Center of Excellence in Marine Biotechnology, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, 123, Oman
| | - Guyu Qin
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Haikou/Sanya, China
| | - Baofeng Su
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Karim Khalil
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
| | - Zhenkui Qin
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Nermeen Y Abass
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21531, Egypt
| | - Qi Cheng
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Ramjie Odin
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Khoi Vo
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Nathan Backenstose
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2054, USA
| | - David Drescher
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- Fisheries Department, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Auburn, WA, 98092, USA
| | - Mei Shang
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Hanbo Li
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Dan Zhang
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - William S Bugg
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Kamal Gosh
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Langston University, Langston, OK, 73050, USA
| | - Rex A Dunham
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
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Gong X, Yan Q, Chen L. Transient receptor potential a1b regulates primordial germ cell numbers and sex differentiation in developing zebrafish. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2025; 106:921-931. [PMID: 39587668 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.16005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 11/04/2024] [Accepted: 11/08/2024] [Indexed: 11/27/2024]
Abstract
Temperature is a leading environmental factor determining the sex ratio of some animal populations, such as fish, amphibians, and reptiles. However, the underlying mechanism by which temperature affects gender is still poorly understood. Transient receptor potential a1b (Trpa1b) belongs to the ion channel family of transient receptor potentials and exhibits dual thermosensitivity to heat and cold. In this study, we have unveiled a novel function of the trpa1b gene. Zebrafish generated through clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 with Trpa1b-null manifest a male-biased sex ratio. The quantity of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in zebrafish is closely linked to gender determination and gonadal development. Yet the role of the trpa1b gene in zebrafish reproductive development remains unexplored in the literature. Our investigation revealed a significant reduction in PGCs in Trpa1b mutant zebrafish compared to their wild-type counterparts 24-h postfertilization (hpf). Transcriptome sequencing of tissues near the reproductive crest of embryos at 1.25 days postfertilization (dpf) revealed differential changes in PGC-related marker genes and genes related to sperm cell development and differentiation. The relative expression of ddx4 and sycp3 genes was significantly downregulated, whereas amh was significantly upregulated at 20 dpf in trpa1b-/- zebrafish. The results of this study provide valuable insights and references for studying the molecular mechanism of sex determination in zebrafish. Undoubtedly, these results will further enhance our understanding of gender differentiation and gonadal development in fish and other vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Gong
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Resources and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianqian Yan
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Resources and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangbiao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Resources and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
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Ahmad A, Bogoch Y, Shvaizer G, Guler N, Levy K, Elkouby YM. The piRNA protein Asz1 is essential for germ cell and gonad development in zebrafish and exhibits differential necessities in distinct types of germ granules. PLoS Genet 2025; 21:e1010868. [PMID: 39804923 PMCID: PMC11760641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010868] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2025] [Accepted: 12/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2025] Open
Abstract
Germ cells are essential for fertility, embryogenesis, and reproduction. Germline development requires distinct types of germ granules, which contains RNA-protein (RNP) complexes, including germ plasm in embryos, piRNA granules in gonadal germ cells, and the Balbiani body (Bb) in oocytes. However, the regulation of RNP assemblies in zebrafish germline development are still poorly understood. Asz1 is a piRNA protein in Drosophila and mice. Zebrafish Asz1 localizes to both piRNA and Bb granules, with yet unknown functions. Here, we hypothesized that Asz1 functions in germ granules and germline development in zebrafish. We generated asz1 mutant fish to determine the roles of Asz1 in germ cell development. We show that Asz1 is dispensable for somatic development, but essential for germ cell and gonad development. asz1-/- fish developed exclusively as sterile males with severely underdeveloped testes that lacked germ cells. In asz1 mutant juvenile gonads, germ cells undergo extensive apoptosis, demonstrating that Asz1 is essential for germ cell survival. Mechanistically, we provide evidence to conclude that zygotic Asz1 is not required for primordial germ cell specification or migration to the gonad, but is essential during post-embryonic gonad development, likely by suppressing the expression of germline transposons. Increased transposon expression and mis-organized piRNA granules in asz1 mutants, argue that zebrafish Asz1 functions in the piRNA pathway. We generated asz1;tp53 fish to partially rescue ovarian development, revealing that Asz1 is also essential for oogenesis. We further showed that in contrast with piRNA granules, Asz1 is dispensable for Bb granule formation, as shown by normal Bb localization of Buc and dazl. By uncovering Asz1 as an essential regulator of germ cell survival and gonadogenesis in zebrafish, and determining its differential necessity in distinct germ granule types, our work advances our understanding of the developmental genetics of reproduction and fertility, as well as of germ granule biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Ahmad
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute for Medical Research – Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yoel Bogoch
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute for Medical Research – Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Gal Shvaizer
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute for Medical Research – Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Noga Guler
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute for Medical Research – Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Karine Levy
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute for Medical Research – Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yaniv M. Elkouby
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute for Medical Research – Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
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5
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Fung L, Dranow DB, Subramanian A, Libby N, Schilling TF. Cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins regulate germ cell proliferation and sex determination in zebrafish. Development 2024; 151:dev202549. [PMID: 39575928 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202549] [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: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2024] [Indexed: 12/14/2024]
Abstract
Cellular retinoic acid (RA)-binding proteins (Crabps) solubilize intracellular RA and transport it to its nuclear receptors or cytoplasmic degradation enzymes. Despite their extreme conservation across chordates, genetic studies of Crabp function have revealed few essential functions. We have generated loss-of-function mutations in all four zebrafish Crabps and find essential roles for Crabp2 proteins in gonad development and sex determination. Transgenic RA reporters show strong RA responses in germ cells at the bipotential stage of gonad development. Double mutants lacking the functions of both Crabp2a and Crabp2b predominantly become male, which correlates with their smaller gonad size and reduced germ cell proliferation during gonad development at late larval and early juvenile stages. In contrast, mutants lacking the functions of both Crabp1a and Crabp1b have normal sex ratios. Exogenous RA treatments at bipotential gonad stages increase germ cell number, consistent with a direct role for RA in promoting germ cell proliferation. Our results suggest essential functions for Crabps in gonad development and sex determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianna Fung
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2300, USA
| | - Daniel B Dranow
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2300, USA
| | - Arul Subramanian
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2300, USA
| | - Natalia Libby
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2300, USA
| | - Thomas F Schilling
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2300, USA
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Geffroy B, Goikoetxea A, Villain-Naud N, Martinez AS. Early fasting does not impact gonadal size nor vasa gene expression in the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2024; 50:2423-2435. [PMID: 39196454 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-024-01395-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) play a crucial role in sexual development in fish, with recent studies revealing their influence on sexual fate. Notably, PGC number at specific developmental stages can determine whether an individual develops as male or female. Temperature was shown to impact PGC proliferation and the subsequent phenotypic sex in some fish species. Here, we aimed at testing the role of food deprivation on gonad development in the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax, a species displaying a polygenic sex determination system with an environmental influence. We subjected larvae to two periods of starvation to investigate whether restricting growth affects both gonadal size and vasa gene expression. We first confirmed by immunohistochemistry that Vasa was indeed a marker of PGCs in the European seabass, as in other fish species. We also showed that vasa correlated positively with fish size, confirming that it could be used as a marker of feminization. However, starvation did not show any significant effects on vasa expression nor on gonadal size. It is hypothesized that evolutionary mechanisms likely safeguard PGCs against environmental stressors to ensure reproductive success. Further research is needed to elucidate the intricate interplay between environmental cues, PGC biology, and sexual differentiation in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Geffroy
- MARBEC Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Palavas-Les-Flots, France.
| | | | | | - Anne-Sophie Martinez
- Normandie Université, Unicaen, BOREA, 14000, Caen, France
- Normandie Université, Unicaen, ToxEMAC ABTE, 14000, Caen, France
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7
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Carver JJ, Amato CM, Hung-Chang Yao H, Zhu Y. Adamts9 is required for the development of primary ovarian follicles and maintenance of female sex in zebrafish†. Biol Reprod 2024; 111:1107-1128. [PMID: 39180722 PMCID: PMC11565245 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae127] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that adamts9 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type-1 motifs, member 9), an extracellular matrix (ECM) metalloprotease, participates in primordial germ cell (PGC) migration and is necessary for female fertility. In this study, we found that adamts9 knockout (KO) led to reduced body size, and female-to-male sex conversion in late juvenile or adult zebrafish; however, primary sex determination was not affected in early juveniles of adamts9 KO. Overfeeding and lowering the rearing density rescued growth defects in female adamts9 KO fish but did not rescue defects in ovarian development in adamts9 KO. Delayed PGC proliferation, significantly reduced number and size of Stage IB follicles (equivalent to primary follicles) in early juveniles of adamts9 KO, and arrested development at Stage IB follicles in mid- or late-juveniles of adamts9 KO are likely causes of female infertility and sex conversion. Via RNAseq, we found significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes involved in ECM organization during sexual maturation in ovaries of wildtype fish; and significant dysregulation of these genes in adamts9 KO ovaries. RNAseq analysis also showed enrichment of inflammatory transcriptomic signatures in adult ovaries of these adamts9 KO. Taken together, our results indicate that adamts9 is critical for development of primary ovarian follicles and maintenance of female sex, and loss of adamts9 leads to defects in ovarian follicle development, female infertility, and sex conversion in late juveniles and mature adults. These results show that the ECM and extracellular metalloproteases play major roles in maintaining ovarian follicle development in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Carver
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Ciro M Amato
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | | | - Yong Zhu
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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Hsu CW, Chung BC. Two phases of gonadal sex differentiation in zebrafish with ZZ/ZW sex determination system. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 358:114613. [PMID: 39303945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Zebrafish sex chromosomes have been identified in the wild Nadia (NA) strain, and its sex determination belongs to the female-heterogametic ZZ/ZW system. Here, we investigate the correlation between ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes in the NA strain with sex-related factors, and sort out the complicated process of sex determination in zebrafish. Two phases exist during zebrafish sex differentiation. In the first phase, ZW gonads differentiate into juvenile ovary while ZZ gonads remain indifferent. In the second phase, ZW gonads either continue ovary development or undergo female-to-male transition, while ZZ gonads undergo direct male development. The W chromosome may contribute to the first phase while the abundance of germ cells and other factors may be involved in the second phase of sex differentiation in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Wei Hsu
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Bon-Chu Chung
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Taipei 115, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
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9
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Yu M, Wang F, Gang H, Liu C. Research progress of nanog gene in fish. Mol Genet Genomics 2024; 299:88. [PMID: 39313603 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-024-02182-x] [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: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Nanog is a crucial regulatory factor in maintaining the self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. It is involved in various biological processes, such as early embryonic development, cell reprogramming, cell cycle regulation, the proliferation and migration of primordial germ cells. While research on this gene has primarily focused on mammals, there has been a growing interest in studying nanog in fish. However, there is a notable lack of comprehensive reviews regarding this gene in fish, which is essential for guiding future research. This review aims to provide a thorough summary of the gene's structure, expression patterns, functions and regulatory mechanisms in fish. The findings suggest that nanog probably has both conserved and divergent functions in regulating cell pluripotency, early embryonic development, and germ cell development in teleosts compared to other species, including mammals. These insights lay the foundation for future research and applications of the nanog gene, providing a new perspective for understanding the evolution and conserved charactristics of teleost nanog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Yu
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, Engineering Laboratory of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Observation and Research Station On Water Ecosystem in Danjiangkou Reservoir of Henan Province, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, China.
| | - Fangyuan Wang
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, Engineering Laboratory of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Observation and Research Station On Water Ecosystem in Danjiangkou Reservoir of Henan Province, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, China
| | - Huihui Gang
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, Engineering Laboratory of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Observation and Research Station On Water Ecosystem in Danjiangkou Reservoir of Henan Province, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, China
| | - Chuanhu Liu
- School of 3D Printing, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
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10
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Ren Z, Ye D, Su N, Wang C, He L, Wang H, He M, Sun Y. foxl2l is a germ cell-intrinsic gatekeeper of oogenesis in zebrafish. Zool Res 2024; 45:1116-1130. [PMID: 39257375 PMCID: PMC11491788 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.046] [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: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish serve as a valuable model organism for studying germ cell biology and reproductive processes. The AB strain of zebrafish is proposed to exhibit a polygenic sex determination system, where most males initially develop juvenile ovaries before committing to male fate. In species with chromosomal sex determination, gonadal somatic cells are recognized as key determinants of germ cell fate. Notably, the loss of germ cells in zebrafish leads to masculinization, implying that germ cells harbor an intrinsic feminization signal. However, the specific signal triggering oogenesis in zebrafish remains unclear. In the present study, we identified foxl2l as an oocyte progenitor-specific gene essential for initiating oogenesis in germ cells. Results showed that foxl2l-knockout zebrafish bypassed the juvenile ovary stage and exclusively developed into fertile males. Further analysis revealed that loss of foxl2l hindered the initiation of oocyte-specific meiosis and prevented entry into oogenesis, leading to premature spermatogenesis during early gonadal development. Furthermore, while mutation of the pro-male gene dmrt1 led to fertile female differentiation, simultaneous disruption of foxl2l in dmrt1 mutants completely blocked oogenesis, with a large proportion of germ cells arrested as germline stem cells, highlighting the crucial role of foxl2l in oogenesis. Overall, this study highlights the unique function of foxl2l as a germ cell-intrinsic gatekeeper of oogenesis in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqin Ren
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Ding Ye
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
- School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China. E-mail:
| | - Naike Su
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chaofan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Lijia He
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Houpeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Mudan He
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yonghua Sun
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
- School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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11
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Liu Z, Zeng H, Xiang H, Deng S, He X. Achieving single-cell-resolution lineage tracing in zebrafish by continuous barcoding mutations during embryogenesis. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:947-956. [PMID: 38621643 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.04.004] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Unraveling the lineage relationships of all descendants from a zygote is fundamental to advancing our understanding of developmental and stem cell biology. However, existing cell barcoding technologies in zebrafish lack the resolution to capture the majority of cell divisions during embryogenesis. A recently developed method, a substitution mutation-aided lineage-tracing system (SMALT), successfully reconstructed high-resolution cell phylogenetic trees for Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we implement the SMALT system in zebrafish, recording a median of 14 substitution mutations on a one-kilobase-pair barcoding sequence for one-day post-fertilization embryos. Leveraging this system, we reconstruct four cell lineage trees for zebrafish fin cells, encompassing both original and regenerated fin. Each tree consists of hundreds of internal nodes with a median bootstrap support of 99%. Analysis of the obtained cell lineage trees reveals that regenerated fin cells mainly originate from cells in the same part of the fins. Through multiple times sampling germ cells from the same individual, we show the stability of the germ cell pool and the early separation of germ cell and somatic cell progenitors. Our system offers the potential for reconstructing high-quality cell phylogenies across diverse tissues, providing valuable insights into development and disease in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Huimin Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Shanjun Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Xionglei He
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China.
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12
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Zhang C, Li L, Alava JJ, Yan Z, Chen P, Gul Y, Wang L, Xiong D. Female zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces reproductive toxicity in mother and their offspring. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 273:107023. [PMID: 39059103 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.107023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs) have been commonly detected in aquatic ecosystems, and their negative effects on aquatic organisms have raised concerns in the scientific community and general public. The acute toxicity, neurotoxicity, and metabolic toxicity induced by NPs on fishes have been reported by many studies, although less attention has been focused on how mother exposed to NPs affected their offspring in aquatic organisms. Here, female zebrafish (F0) were exposed to 0, 200 and 2000 μg/L polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) for 42 d, with their offspring (F1) reared in clear water until sexual maturity. The results showed that PS-NPs were detected in various organs of F0 and F1. PS-NPs exposure significantly decreased gonadal 17-estradiol (E2), while increasing testosterone (T) contents. Lower levels of cyp19a1a, lhr and erα expressions in the 2000 μg/L group were consistent with a reduced number of mature oocytes (MO), but an increase in perinucleolar oocytes (PO). Interestingly, the expression of vtg was only up-regulated by 200 μg/L PS-NPs. After exposure, the egg production was dramatically reduced, but the hatching rate and heartbeat of F1 embryos from treated females were significantly higher than those observed in females from the control group. Maternal PS-NPs exposure significantly decreased the E2 and T levels in F1 adults, while PS-NPs exposure significantly up-regulated the sox9a but down-regulated the foxl2a in F1 larvae of 30 days post fertilization (dpf). This study showed that PS-NPs caused reproductive toxicity by changing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis-related genes, impairing the reproductive capacity of female zebrafish, affecting the development and disrupting the endocrine function of F1. These results suggested that PS-NPs had adverse effects on fish reproductive system both in the directly exposed generation and in their unexposed offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Luoxin Li
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Juan Jose Alava
- Ocean Pollution Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries University of British Columbia, AERL 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Zebang Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Fisheries Research Institute, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, China
| | - Yasmeen Gul
- Department of Zoology, Government College Women University, Faisalabad 38860, Pakistan
| | - Lixin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Dongmei Xiong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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13
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Chen J, Zhao W, Cao L, Martins RST, Canário AVM. Somatostatin signalling coordinates energy metabolism allocation to reproduction in zebrafish. BMC Biol 2024; 22:163. [PMID: 39075492 PMCID: PMC11288053 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01961-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Energy allocation between growth and reproduction determines puberty onset and fertility. In mammals, peripheral hormones such as leptin, insulin and ghrelin signal metabolic information to the higher centres controlling gonadotrophin-releasing hormone neurone activity. However, these observations could not be confirmed in lower vertebrates, suggesting that other factors may mediate the energetic trade-off between growth and reproduction. A bioinformatic and experimental study suggested co-regulation of the circadian clock, reproductive axis and growth-regulating genes in zebrafish. While loss-of-function of most of the identified co-regulated genes had no effect or only had mild effects on reproduction, no such information existed about the co-regulated somatostatin, well-known for its actions on growth and metabolism. RESULTS We show that somatostatin signalling is pivotal in regulating fecundity and metabolism. Knock-out of zebrafish somatostatin 1.1 (sst1.1) and somatostatin 1.2 (sst1.2) caused a 20-30% increase in embryonic primordial germ cells, and sst1.2-/- adults laid 40% more eggs than their wild-type siblings. The sst1.1-/- and sst1.2-/- mutants had divergent metabolic phenotypes: the former had 25% more pancreatic α-cells, were hyperglycaemic and glucose intolerant, and had increased adipocyte mass; the latter had 25% more pancreatic β-cells, improved glucose clearance and reduced adipocyte mass. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that somatostatin signalling regulates energy metabolism and fecundity through anti-proliferative and modulatory actions on primordial germ cells, pancreatic insulin and glucagon cells and the hypothalamus. The ancient origin of the somatostatin system suggests it could act as a switch linking metabolism and reproduction across vertebrates. The results raise the possibility of applications in human and animal fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology and National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- CCMAR/CIMAR Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal
| | - Wenting Zhao
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology and National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Cao
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology and National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rute S T Martins
- CCMAR/CIMAR Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal
| | - Adelino V M Canário
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology and National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
- CCMAR/CIMAR Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal.
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14
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Ruan Y, Li X, Wang X, Zhai G, Lou Q, Jin X, He J, Mei J, Xiao W, Gui J, Yin Z. New insights into the all-testis differentiation in zebrafish with compromised endogenous androgen and estrogen synthesis. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011170. [PMID: 38451917 PMCID: PMC10919652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011170] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The regulatory mechanism of gonadal sex differentiation, which is complex and regulated by multiple factors, remains poorly understood in teleosts. Recently, we have shown that compromised androgen and estrogen synthesis with increased progestin leads to all-male differentiation with proper testis development and spermatogenesis in cytochrome P450 17a1 (cyp17a1)-/- zebrafish. In the present study, the phenotypes of female-biased sex ratio were positively correlated with higher Fanconi anemia complementation group L (fancl) expression in the gonads of doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (dmrt1)-/- and cyp17a1-/-;dmrt1-/- fish. The additional depletion of fancl in cyp17a1-/-;dmrt1-/- zebrafish reversed the gonadal sex differentiation from all-ovary to all-testis (in cyp17a1-/-;dmrt1-/-;fancl-/- fish). Luciferase assay revealed a synergistic inhibitory effect of Dmrt1 and androgen signaling on fancl transcription. Furthermore, an interaction between Fancl and the apoptotic factor Tumour protein p53 (Tp53) was found in vitro. The interaction between Fancl and Tp53 was observed via the WD repeat domain (WDR) and C-terminal domain (CTD) of Fancl and the DNA binding domain (DBD) of Tp53, leading to the K48-linked polyubiquitination degradation of Tp53 activated by the ubiquitin ligase, Fancl. Our results show that testis fate in cyp17a1-/- fish is determined by Dmrt1, which is thought to stabilize Tp53 by inhibiting fancl transcription during the critical stage of sexual fate determination in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglin Ruan
- State key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuehui Li
- State key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- State key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Zhai
- State key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyong Lou
- State key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xia Jin
- State key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiangyan He
- State key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Mei
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wuhan Xiao
- State key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianfang Gui
- State key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhan Yin
- State key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, China
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15
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Nayak R, Franěk R, Laurent A, Pšenička M. Genome-wide comparative methylation analysis reveals the fate of germ stem cells after surrogate production in teleost. BMC Biol 2024; 22:39. [PMID: 38360607 PMCID: PMC10870548 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01842-z] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surrogate production by germline stem cell transplantation is a powerful method to produce donor-derived gametes via a host, a practice known as surrogacy. The gametes produced by surrogates are often analysed on the basis of their morphology and species-specific genotyping, which enables conclusion to be drawn about the donor's characteristics. However, in-depth information, such as data on epigenetic changes, is rarely acquired. Germ cells develop in close contact with supporting somatic cells during gametogenesis in vertebrates, and we hypothesize that the recipient's gonadal environment may cause epigenetic changes in produced gametes and progeny. Here, we extensively characterize the DNA methylome of donor-derived sperm and their intergenerational effects in both inter- and intraspecific surrogates. RESULTS We found more than 3000 differentially methylated regions in both the sperm and progeny derived from inter- and intraspecific surrogates. Hypermethylation in the promoter regions of the protocadherin gamma gene in the intraspecific surrogates was found to be associated with germline transmission. On the contrary, gene expression level and the embryonic development of the offspring remained unaffected. We also discovered MAPK/p53 pathway disruption in interspecific surrogates due to promoter hypermethylation and identified that the inefficient removal of meiotic-arrested endogenous germ cells in hybrid gonads led to the production of infertile spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS Donor-derived sperm and progeny from inter- and intraspecific surrogates were more globally hypermethylated than those of the donors. The observed changes in DNA methylation marks in the surrogates had no significant phenotypic effects in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rigolin Nayak
- The University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zatisi 728/II, 389 25, Vodnany, Czech Republic.
| | - Roman Franěk
- The University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zatisi 728/II, 389 25, Vodnany, Czech Republic
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Audrey Laurent
- Fish Physiology and Genomics Laboratory, INRAE, Campus de Beaulieu, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Martin Pšenička
- The University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zatisi 728/II, 389 25, Vodnany, Czech Republic
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16
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Ruan Y, Li X, Zhai G, Lou Q, Jin X, He J, Yin Z. Estrogen Signaling Inhibits the Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone ( amh) and gonadal-soma-derived factor ( gsdf) during the Critical Time of Sexual Fate Determination in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1740. [PMID: 38339020 PMCID: PMC10855942 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031740] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The mechanism of fish gonadal sex differentiation is complex and regulated by multiple factors. It has been widely known that proper steroidogenesis in Leydig cells and sex-related genes in Sertoli cells play important roles in gonadal sex differentiation. In teleosts, the precise interaction of these signals during the sexual fate determination remains elusive, especially their effect on the bi-potential gonad during the critical stage of sexual fate determination. Recently, all-testis phenotypes have been observed in the cyp17a1-deficient zebrafish and common carp, as well as in cyp19a1a-deficient zebrafish. By mating cyp17a1-deficient fish with transgenic zebrafish Tg(piwil1:EGFP-nanos3UTR), germ cells in the gonads were labelled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). We classified the cyp17a1-deficient zebrafish and their control siblings into primordial germ cell (PGC)-rich and -less groups according to the fluorescence area of the EGFP labelling. Intriguingly, the EGFP-labelled bi-potential gonads in cyp17a1+/+ fish from the PGC-rich group were significantly larger than those of the cyp17a1-/- fish at 23 days post-fertilization (dpf). Based on the transcriptome analysis, we observed that the cyp17a1-deficient fish of the PGC-rich group displayed a significantly upregulated expression of amh and gsdf compared to that of control fish. Likewise, the upregulated expressions of amh and gsdf were observed in cyp19a1a-deficient fish as examined at 23 dpf. This upregulation of amh and gsdf could be repressed by treatment with an exogenous supplement of estradiol. Moreover, tamoxifen, an effective antagonist of both estrogen receptor α and β (ERα and Erβ), upregulates the expression of amh and gsdf in wild-type (WT) fish. Using the cyp17a1- and cyp19a1a-deficient zebrafish, we provide evidence to show that the upregulated expression of amh and gsdf due to the compromised estrogen signaling probably determines their sexual fate towards testis differentiation. Collectively, our data suggest that estrogen signaling inhibits the expression of amh and gsdf during the critical time of sexual fate determination, which may broaden the scope of sex steroid hormones in regulating gonadal sex differentiation in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglin Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.R.); (X.L.); (Q.L.); (J.H.)
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xuehui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.R.); (X.L.); (Q.L.); (J.H.)
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Gang Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.R.); (X.L.); (Q.L.); (J.H.)
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qiyong Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.R.); (X.L.); (Q.L.); (J.H.)
| | - Xia Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.R.); (X.L.); (Q.L.); (J.H.)
| | - Jiangyan He
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.R.); (X.L.); (Q.L.); (J.H.)
| | - Zhan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.R.); (X.L.); (Q.L.); (J.H.)
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
- The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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17
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Guirandy N, Simon O, Geffroy B, Daffe G, Daramy F, Houdelet C, Gonzalez P, Pierron F. Gamma irradiation-induced offspring masculinization is associated with epigenetic changes in female zebrafish. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 269:115790. [PMID: 38086259 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Sex ratio variation is a key topic in ecology, because of its direct effects on population dynamics and thus, on animal conservation strategies. Among factors affecting sex ratio, types of sex determination systems have a central role, since some species could have a sex determined by genetic factors, environmental factors or a mix of those two. Yet, most studies on the factors affecting sex determination have focused on temperature or endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and much less is known regarding other factors. Exposure to gamma irradiation was found to trigger offspring masculinization in zebrafish. Here we aimed at deciphering the potential mechanisms involved, by focusing on stress (i.e. cortisol) and epigenetic regulation of key genes involved in sex differentiation in fish. Cortisol levels in exposed and control (F0) zebrafish females' gonads were similar. However, irradiation increased the DNA methylation level of foxl2a and cyp19a1a in females of the F0 and F1 generation, respectively, while no effects were detected in testis. Overall, our results suggest that parental exposure could alter offspring sex ratio, at least in part by inducing methylation changes in ovaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëmie Guirandy
- IRSN/PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, Centre de Cadarache-B.P. 3 - Bat 183, 13115 St Paul Lez Durance, France.
| | - Olivier Simon
- IRSN/PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, Centre de Cadarache-B.P. 3 - Bat 183, 13115 St Paul Lez Durance, France
| | - Benjamin Geffroy
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Guillemine Daffe
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Flore Daramy
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Camille Houdelet
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrice Gonzalez
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Fabien Pierron
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
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18
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Wang X, Zhu J, Wang H, Deng W, Jiao S, Wang Y, He M, Zhang F, Liu T, Hao Y, Ye D, Sun Y. Induced formation of primordial germ cells from zebrafish blastomeres by germplasm factors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7918. [PMID: 38097571 PMCID: PMC10721796 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43587-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The combination of genome editing and primordial germ cell (PGC) transplantation has enormous significance in the study of developmental biology and genetic breeding, despite its low efficiency due to limited number of donor PGCs. Here, we employ a combination of germplasm factors to convert blastoderm cells into induced PGCs (iPGCs) in zebrafish and obtain functional gametes either through iPGC transplantation or via the single blastomere overexpression of germplasm factors. Zebrafish-derived germplasm factors convert blastula cells of Gobiocypris rarus into iPGCs, and Gobiocypris rarus spermatozoa can be produced by iPGC-transplanted zebrafish. Moreover, the combination of genome knock-in and iPGC transplantation perfectly resolves the contradiction between high knock-in efficiency and early lethality during embryonic stages and greatly improves the efficiency of genome knock-in. Together, we present an efficient method for generating PGCs in a teleost, a technique that will have a strong impact in basic research and aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Junwen Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Houpeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Wenqi Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shengbo Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yaqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Mudan He
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Fenghua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yongkang Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ding Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yonghua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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19
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Wang F, Feng YY, Wang XG, Ou M, Zhang XC, Zhao J, Chen KC, Li KB. Production of all-male non-transgenic zebrafish by conditional primordial germ cell ablation. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2023; 49:1215-1227. [PMID: 37857788 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-023-01252-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Many fish species exhibit remarkable sexual dimorphism, with males possessing numerous advantageous traits for commercial production by aquaculture such as faster growth rate, more efficient food energy utilization for muscle development, and better breeding performance. Several studies have shown that a decrease in the number of primordial germ cells (PGCs) during early development leads predominantly to male progeny. In this study, we developed a method to obtain all-male zebrafish (Danio rerio) by targeted PGC ablation using the nitroreductase/metronidazole (NTR/Mtz) system. Embryos generated by female heterozygous Tg(nanos3:nfsB-mCherry-nanos3 3'UTR) and male wild-types (WTs) were treated with vehicle or Mtz. Compared to vehicle-treated controls, 5.0 and 10.0 mM Mtz treatment for 24 h significantly reduced the number of PGCs and yielded an exclusively male phenotype in adulthood. The gonads of offspring treated with 5.0 mM Mtz exhibited relatively normal morphology and histological characteristics. Furthermore, these males were able to chase females, spawn, and produce viable offspring, while about 20.0% of males treated with 10.0 mM Mtz were unable to produce viable offspring. The 5.0 mM Mtz treatment protocol may thus be suitable for large-scale production of fertile male offspring. Moreover, about half of these males were WT as evidenced by the absence of nfsB gene expression. It may thus be possible to breed an all-male WT fish population by Mtz-mediated PGC ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong-Yong Feng
- College of Seed and Facility Agricultural Engineering, Weifang University, Weifang, China
| | - Xu-Guang Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, Guangdong, China
| | - Mi Ou
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin-Cheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
| | - Kun-Ci Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
| | - Kai-Bin Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China.
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20
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Pierron F, Daffe G, Daramy F, Heroin D, Barré A, Bouchez O, Clérendeau C, Romero-Ramirez A, Nikolski M. Transgenerational endocrine disruptor effects of cadmium in zebrafish and contribution of standing epigenetic variation to adaptation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 455:131579. [PMID: 37163897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Evidence has emerged that environmentally-induced epigenetic changes can have long-lasting effects on gene transcription across generations. These recent findings highlight the need to investigate the transgenerational impacts of pollutants to assess their long term effects on populations. In this study, we investigated the transgenerational effect of cadmium on zebrafish across 4 generations. A first whole methylome approach carried out on fish of the first two generations led us to focus our investigations on the estradiol receptor alpha gene (esr1). We observed a sex-dependent transgenerational inheritance of Cd-induced DNA methylation changes up to the last generation. These changes were associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were themselves at the origin of the creation or deletion of methylation sites. Thus, Cd-induced genetic selection gave rise to DNA methylation changes. We also analyzed the transcription level of various sections of esr1 as well as estrogen responsive genes. While Cd triggered transgenerational disorders, Cd-induced epigenetic changes in esr1 contributed to the rapid transgenerational adaptation of fish to Cd. Our results provide insight into the processes underpinning rapid adaptation and highlight the need to maintain genetic diversity within natural populations to bolster the resilience of species faced with the global environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Pierron
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France.
| | - Guillemine Daffe
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INRAE, La Rochelle Univ., UMS 2567 POREA, F-33615 Pessac, France
| | - Flore Daramy
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Débora Heroin
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Aurélien Barré
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux Bioinformatics Center, Bordeaux, France
| | - Olivier Bouchez
- INRAE, US 1426, GeT-PlaGe, Genotoul, Castanet-Tolosan, 31326, France
| | | | | | - Macha Nikolski
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux Bioinformatics Center, Bordeaux, France; Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, IBGC, UMR 5095, Bordeaux 33077, France
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21
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Fontana CM, Terrin F, Facchinello N, Meneghetti G, Dinarello A, Gambarotto L, Zuccarotto A, Caichiolo M, Brocca G, Verin R, Nazio F, Carnevali O, Cecconi F, Bonaldo P, Dalla Valle L. Zebrafish ambra1b knockout reveals a novel role for Ambra1 in primordial germ cells survival, sex differentiation and reproduction. Biol Res 2023; 56:19. [PMID: 37106439 PMCID: PMC10142490 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00430-9] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AMBRA1 is an intrinsically disordered protein, working as a scaffold molecule to coordinate, by protein-protein interaction, many cellular processes, including autophagy, mitophagy, apoptosis and cell cycle progression. The zebrafish genome contains two ambra1 paralogous genes (a and b), both involved in development and expressed at high levels in the gonads. Characterization of the zebrafish paralogous genes mutant lines generated by CRISPR/Cas9 approach showed that ambra1b knockout leads to an all-male population. RESULTS We demonstrated that the silencing of the ambra1b gene determines a reduction of primordial germ cells (PGCs), a condition that, in the zebrafish, leads to the development of all-male progeny. PGC reduction was confirmed by knockdown experiments and rescued by injection of ambra1b and human AMBRA1 mRNAs, but not ambra1a mRNA. Moreover, PGC loss was not rescued by injection with human AMBRA1 mRNA mutated in the CUL4-DDB1 binding region, thus suggesting that interaction with this complex is involved in PGC protection from loss. Results from zebrafish embryos injected with murine Stat3 mRNA and stat3 morpholino suggest that Ambra1b could indirectly regulate this protein through CUL4-DDB1 interaction. According to this, Ambra1+/- mice showed a reduced Stat3 expression in the ovary together with a low number of antral follicles and an increase of atretic follicles, indicating a function of Ambra1 in the ovary of mammals as well. Moreover, in agreement with the high expression of these genes in the testis and ovary, we found significant impairment of the reproductive process and pathological alterations, including tumors, mainly limited to the gonads. CONCLUSIONS By exploiting ambra1a and ambra1b knockout zebrafish lines, we prove the sub-functionalization between the two paralogous zebrafish genes and uncover a novel function of Ambra1 in the protection from excessive PGC loss, which seems to require binding with the CUL4-DDB1 complex. Both genes seem to play a role in the regulation of reproductive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Maria Fontana
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | | | | | - Alberto Dinarello
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Denver, USA
| | - Lisa Gambarotto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Annalisa Zuccarotto
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Zoological Station Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Ginevra Brocca
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy
- Aquatic Diagnostic Services, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - Ranieri Verin
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Francesca Nazio
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Oliana Carnevali
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Cecconi
- Cell Stress and Survival Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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22
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Nayak R, Franěk R, Šindelka R, Pšenička M. Enhancement of zebrafish sperm production via a large body-sized surrogate with germ cell transplantation. Commun Biol 2023; 6:412. [PMID: 37059808 PMCID: PMC10104805 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04800-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a commonly-used vertebrate model species for many research areas. However, its low milt volume limits effective cryopreservation of sperm from a single individual and often precludes dividing a single semen sample to conduct multiple downstream procedures such as genomic DNA/RNA extraction and in-vitro fertilization. Here, we apply germ stem cell transplantation to increase zebrafish sperm production in a closely related larger species from the same subfamily, giant danio Devario aequipinnatus. The endogenous germ cell of the host is depleted by dead-end morpholino antisense oligonucleotide. Histology of the sterile gonad and quantitative PCR of gonadal tissue reveals all sterile giant danio develop the male phenotype. Spermatogonial cells of Tg(ddx4:egfp) transgenic zebrafish are transplanted into sterile giant danio larvae, and 22% of recipients (germline chimera) produce donor-derived sperm at sexual maturation. The germline chimera produce approximately three-fold the volume of sperm and 10-fold the spermatozoon concentration of the donor. The donor-derived sperm is functional and gives rise to viable progeny upon fertilization of donor oocytes. We show that the issue of low milt volume can be effectively addressed by employing a larger surrogate parent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rigolin Nayak
- The University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Vodnany, Czech Republic.
| | - Roman Franěk
- The University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Vodnany, Czech Republic
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Radek Šindelka
- Laboratory of Gene Expression, Institute of Biotechnology, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Pšenička
- The University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Vodnany, Czech Republic
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23
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Valdivieso A, Anastasiadi D, Ribas L, Piferrer F. Development of epigenetic biomarkers for the identification of sex and thermal stress in fish using DNA methylation analysis and machine learning procedures. Mol Ecol Resour 2023; 23:453-470. [PMID: 36305237 PMCID: PMC10098837 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The sex ratio is a key ecological demographic parameter crucial for population viability. However, the epigenetic mechanisms operating during gonadal development regulating gene expression and the sex ratio remain poorly understood. Moreover, there is interest in the development of epigenetic markers associated with a particular phenotype or as sentinels of environmental effects. Here, we profiled DNA methylation and gene expression of 10 key genes related to sex development and stress, including steroidogenic enzymes, and growth and transcription factors. We provide novel information on the sex-related differences and on the influence of elevated temperature on these genes in zebrafish, a species with mixed genetic and environmental influences on sex ratios. We identified both positive (e.g., amh, cyp11c and hsd11b2) and negative (e.g., cyp11a1 and dmrt1) correlations in unexposed males, and negative correlation (amh) in exposed females between DNA methylation and gene expression levels. Further, we combined DNA methylation analysis with machine learning procedures and found a series of informative CpGs capable not only of correctly identifying sex (based on cyp19a1a DNA methylation levels) but also of identifying whether males and females had been exposed to abnormally elevated temperature when young (based on amh and foxl2a DNA methylation levels, respectively). This was achieved in the absence of conspicuous morphological alterations of the gonads. These DNA methylation-based epigenetic biomarkers represent molecular resources that can correctly recapitulate past thermal history and pave the way for similar findings in other species to assess potential ecological effects of environmental disturbances in the context of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Valdivieso
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.,IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, Montpellier, France
| | - Dafni Anastasiadi
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.,The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Nelson, New Zealand
| | - Laia Ribas
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Piferrer
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
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24
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Carver JJ, Zhu Y. Metzincin metalloproteases in PGC migration and gonadal sex conversion. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 330:114137. [PMID: 36191636 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Development of a functional gonad includes migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs), differentiations of somatic and germ cells, formation of primary follicles or spermatogenic cysts with somatic gonadal cells, development and maturation of gametes, and subsequent releasing of mature germ cells. These processes require extensive cellular and tissue remodeling, as well as broad alterations of the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Metalloproteases, including MMPs (matrix metalloproteases), ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinases), and ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs), are suggested to have critical roles in the remodeling of the ECM during gonad development. However, few research articles and reviews are available on the functions and mechanisms of metalloproteases in remodeling gonadal ECM, gonadal development, or gonadal differentiation. Moreover, most studies focused on the roles of transcription and growth factors in early gonad development and primary sex determination, leaving a significant knowledge gap on how differentially expressed metalloproteases exert effects on the ECM, cell migration, development, and survival of germ cells during the development and differentiation of ovaries or testes. We will review gonad development with focus on the evidence of metalloprotease involvements, and with an emphasis on zebrafish as a model for studying gonadal sex differentiation and metalloprotease functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Carver
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Yong Zhu
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
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25
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Characterization of ddx4 and dnd Homologs in Snakeskin Gourami ( Trichopodus pectoralis) and Their Expression Levels during Larval Development and in Gonads of Males and Females. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233415. [PMID: 36496935 PMCID: PMC9735842 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clone and characterize ddx4 and dnd1 homologs in snakeskin gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis) and to determine their expression levels during larval development and in the gonads of males and females. Both cDNAs contained predicted regions that shared consensus motifs with the ddx4 family in teleosts and the dnd family in vertebrates. Phylogenetic tree construction analysis confirmed that these two genes were clustered in the families of teleosts. Both ddx4 and dnd1 mRNAs were detectable only in the gonads, particularly in germ cells. These two genes were expressed during early larval development. The expression of ddx4 was high during early larval development and decreased with increasing developmental age, whereas dnd1 expression increased with developmental age. In adult fish, the expression levels of both genes were higher in the ovary than in the testis. Overall, these findings provide valuable molecular information on ddx4 and dnd, and can be applied in future reproductive biological studies relating to sex dimorphism in snakeskin gourami.
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26
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Zhang R, Tu Y, Ye D, Gu Z, Chen Z, Sun Y. A Germline-Specific Regulator of Mitochondrial Fusion is Required for Maintenance and Differentiation of Germline Stem and Progenitor Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2203631. [PMID: 36257818 PMCID: PMC9798980 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202203631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Maintenance and differentiation of germline stem and progenitor cells (GSPCs) is important for sexual reproduction. Here, the authors identify zebrafish pld6 as a novel germline-specific gene by cross-analyzing different RNA sequencing results, and find that pld6 knockout mutants develop exclusively into infertile males. In pld6 mutants, GSPCs fail to differentiate and undergo apoptosis, leading to masculinization and infertility. Mitochondrial fusion in pld6-depleted GSPCs is severely impaired, and the mutants exhibit defects in piRNA biogenesis and transposon suppression. Overall, this work uncovers zebrafish Pld6 as a novel germline-specific regulator of mitochondrial fusion, and highlights its essential role in the maintenance and differentiation of GSPCs as well as gonadal development and gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and BiotechnologyInstitute of HydrobiologyInnovation Academy for Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesWuhan430072China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural BioinformaticsCollege of Life Science and TechnologyCollege of Biomedicine and HealthInterdisciplinary Sciences InstituteHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
- Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryWuhan430070China
| | - Yi‐Xuan Tu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural BioinformaticsCollege of Life Science and TechnologyCollege of Biomedicine and HealthInterdisciplinary Sciences InstituteHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
- Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryWuhan430070China
| | - Ding Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and BiotechnologyInstitute of HydrobiologyInnovation Academy for Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesWuhan430072China
| | - Zhenglong Gu
- Division of Nutritional SciencesCornell UniversityIthacaNY14853USA
- Center for Mitochondrial Genetics and HealthGreater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou)Fudan UniversityNansha DistrictGuangzhou511400China
| | - Zhen‐Xia Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural BioinformaticsCollege of Life Science and TechnologyCollege of Biomedicine and HealthInterdisciplinary Sciences InstituteHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
- Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryWuhan430070China
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and HealthHuazhong Agricultural UniversityShenzhen518000China
- Shenzhen BranchGuangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern AgricultureGenome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of AgricultureAgricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhen518000China
| | - Yonghua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and BiotechnologyInstitute of HydrobiologyInnovation Academy for Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesWuhan430072China
- Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryWuhan430070China
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27
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Hu Y, Ma X, Liu R, Mushtaq I, Qi Y, Yuan C, Huang D. 2,4-Dichlorophenol Increases Primordial Germ Cell Numbers via ESR2a-Dependent Pathway in Zebrafish Larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:13878-13887. [PMID: 36106461 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported the feminizing effects of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) on zebrafish (Danio rerio). However, the effect of 2,4-DCP on the number of primordial germ cells (PGCs), an indicator for early sex differentiation, remains elusive. In the present study, Tg (piwil1:egfp-UTR nanos3) zebrafish (GFP-labeled PGCs) were treated with 2,4-DCP (10, 20, and 40 μg/L) from 5 to 15 days postfertilization to explore the effect on PGC numbers and to elucidate associated molecular mechanisms. The results showed that 2,4-DCP exposure increased PGC numbers, as evidenced by larger GFP fluorescent areas, upregulated expressions of PGC marker genes (vasa and dnd), and raised the female ratio. Notably, the mRNA level of estrogen receptor 2a (esr2a) was also increased subsequently. Moreover, docking studies revealed stable 2,4-DCP interactions with ESR2a, speculating a role of ESR2a signaling pathway in 2,4-DCP toxicity. Furthermore, in esr2a knockout (esr2a-/-) zebrafish, the effects of 2,4-DCP were considerably minimized, proving the involvement of the ESR2a signaling pathway in the 2,4-DCP-mediated increase in PGC numbers. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and point mutation studies demonstrated that 2,4-DCP-stimulated promoter activity was mediated by estrogen response element (ERE) located in -686/-674 of the vasa promoter and -731/-719 of the dnd promoter. Overall, 2,4-DCP can potentially enhance the expression of vasa and dnd by binding to zebrafish ESR2a, thus leading to increased PGC numbers and subsequent female-biased sex differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hu
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Ma
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongjian Liu
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Iqra Mushtaq
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongmei Qi
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Yuan
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Dejun Huang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
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28
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Shiguemoto GF, Coelho GCZ, López LS, Pessoa GP, Dos Santos SCA, Senhorini JA, Monzani PS, Yasui GS. Primordial germ cell identification and traceability during the initial development of the Siluriformes fish Pseudopimelodus mangurus. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2022; 48:1137-1153. [PMID: 35925505 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-022-01106-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are responsible for generating all germ cells. Therefore, they are essential targets to be used as a tool for the production of germline chimeras. The labeling and route of PGCs were evaluated during the initial embryonic development of Pseudopimelodus mangurus, using whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) and mRNA microinjection in zygotes. A specific antisense RNA probe constituted by a partial coding region from P. mangurus nanos3 mRNA was synthesized for the WISH method. RNA microinjection was performed using the GFP gene reporter regulated by translation regulatory P. mangurus buc and nanos3 3'UTR sequences, germline-specific markers used to describe in vivo migration of PGCs. Nanos3 and buc gene expression was evaluated in tissues for male and female adults and initial development phases and larvae from the first to seventh days post-hatching. The results from the WISH technique indicated the origin of PGCs in P. mangurus from the aggregations of nanos3 mRNA in the cleavage grooves and the signals obtained from nanos3 probes corresponded topographically to the migratory patterns of the PGCs reported for other fish species. Diffuse signals were observed in all blastomeres until the 16-cell stage, which could be related to the two sequences of the nanos3 3'UTR observed in the P. mangurus unfertilized egg transcriptome. Microinjection was not successful using GFP-Dr-nanos1 3'UTR mRNA and GFP-Pm-buc 3'UTR mRNA and allowed the identification of potential PGCs with less than 2% efficiency only and after hatching using GFP-Pm-nanos3 3'UTR. Nanos3 and buc gene expression was reported in the female gonads and from fertilized eggs until the blastula phase. These results provide information about the PGC migration of P. mangurus and the possible use of PGCs for the future generation of germline chimeras to be applied in the conservation efforts of Neotropical Siluriformes species. This study can contribute to establishing genetic banks, manipulating organisms, and assisting in biotechnologies such as transplanting germ cells in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Fonseca Shiguemoto
- Institute of Bioscience, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Fish Biotechnology, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation /National Center for Research and Conservation of Continental Aquatic Biodiversity, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Geovanna Carla Zacheo Coelho
- Institute of Bioscience, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Fish Biotechnology, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation /National Center for Research and Conservation of Continental Aquatic Biodiversity, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucia Suárez López
- Institute of Bioscience, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Fish Biotechnology, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation /National Center for Research and Conservation of Continental Aquatic Biodiversity, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Giselle Pessanha Pessoa
- Institute of Bioscience, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Fish Biotechnology, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation /National Center for Research and Conservation of Continental Aquatic Biodiversity, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | | | - José Augusto Senhorini
- Institute of Bioscience, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Fish Biotechnology, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation /National Center for Research and Conservation of Continental Aquatic Biodiversity, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio Monzani
- Institute of Bioscience, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Fish Biotechnology, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation /National Center for Research and Conservation of Continental Aquatic Biodiversity, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
| | - George Shigueki Yasui
- Institute of Bioscience, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Fish Biotechnology, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation /National Center for Research and Conservation of Continental Aquatic Biodiversity, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
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29
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Nicol B, Estermann MA, Yao HHC, Mellouk N. Becoming female: Ovarian differentiation from an evolutionary perspective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:944776. [PMID: 36158204 PMCID: PMC9490121 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.944776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of the bipotential gonadal primordium into ovaries and testes is a common process among vertebrate species. While vertebrate ovaries eventually share the same functions of producing oocytes and estrogens, ovarian differentiation relies on different morphogenetic, cellular, and molecular cues depending on species. The aim of this review is to highlight the conserved and divergent features of ovarian differentiation through an evolutionary perspective. From teleosts to mammals, each clade or species has a different story to tell. For this purpose, this review focuses on three specific aspects of ovarian differentiation: ovarian morphogenesis, the evolution of the role of estrogens on ovarian differentiation and the molecular pathways involved in granulosa cell determination and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Nicol
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Barbara Nicol,
| | - Martin A. Estermann
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Humphrey H-C Yao
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Namya Mellouk
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy en Josas, France
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30
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Wang C, Chen X, Dai Y, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Cui X. Comparative transcriptome analysis of heat-induced domesticated zebrafish during gonadal differentiation. BMC Genom Data 2022; 23:39. [PMID: 35641933 PMCID: PMC9158171 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-022-01058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of environmental factors, especially temperature, on sex ratio is of great significance to elucidate the mechanism of sex determination. However, the molecular mechanisms by which temperature affects sex determination remains unclear, although a few candidate genes have been found to play a role in the process. In this study, we conducted transcriptome analysis of the effects induced by high temperature on zebrafish during gonad differentiation period. RESULTS Totals of 1171, 1022 and 2921 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high temperature and normal temperature were identified at 35, 45 and 60 days post-fertilization (dpf) respectively, revealing that heat shock proteins (HSPs) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) were involved in the heat-exposed sex reversal. The Gene Ontology (GO) terms and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway that were enriched in individuals after heat treatment included Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway, cell cycle, oocyte meiosis and homologous recombination. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides the results of comparative transcriptome analyses between high temperature and normal temperature, and reveals that the molecular mechanism of heat-induced masculinization in zebrafish is strongly related to the expression of HSPs and DNMTs and FA pathway during gonad differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Wang
- School of Life and Health Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China
| | - Xuhuai Chen
- School of Life and Health Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Dai
- School of Life and Health Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China
| | - Yifei Zhang
- School of Life and Health Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Economic Crops Genetic Improvement and Integrated Utilization, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China
| | - Yuandong Sun
- School of Life and Health Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Economic Crops Genetic Improvement and Integrated Utilization, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaojuan Cui
- School of Life and Health Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Economic Crops Genetic Improvement and Integrated Utilization, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China.
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31
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Kikuchi M, Tanaka M. Functional Modules in Gametogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:914570. [PMID: 35693939 PMCID: PMC9178102 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.914570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gametogenesis, the production of eggs and sperm, is a fundamental process in sexually reproducing animals. Following gametogenesis commitment and sexual fate decision, germ cells undergo several developmental processes to halve their genomic size and acquire sex-specific characteristics of gametes, including cellular size, motility, and cell polarity. However, it remains unclear how different gametogenesis processes are initially integrated. With the advantages of the teleost fish medaka (Oryzias latipes), in which germline stem cells continuously produce eggs and sperm in mature gonads and a sexual switch gene in germ cells is identified, we found that distinct pathways initiate gametogenesis cooperatively after commitment to gametogenesis. This evokes the concept of functional modules, in which functionally interlocked genes are grouped to yield distinct gamete characteristics. The various combinations of modules may allow us to explain the evolution of diverse reproductive systems, such as parthenogenesis and hermaphroditism.
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32
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Brown MS, Evans BS, Afonso LOB. Developmental changes in gene expression and gonad morphology during sex differentiation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Gene 2022; 823:146393. [PMID: 35248662 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146393] [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: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a globally important species for its value in fisheries and aquaculture, and as a research model. In order to characterise aspects of sex differentiation at the morphological and mRNA level in this species, the present study examined developmental changes in gonad morphology and gene expression in males and females between 0 and 79 days post hatch (dph). Morphological differentiation of the ovary (indicated by the formation of germ cell cysts) became apparent from 52 dph. By 79 dph, ovarian phenotype was evident in 100% of genotypic females. Testes remained in an undifferentiated-like state throughout the experiment, containing germ cells dispersed singularly within the gonadal region distal to the mesentery. There were no significant sex-related differences in gonad cross-section size, germ cell number or germ cell diameter during the experiment. The expression of genes involved in teleost sex differentiation (anti-müllerian hormone (amh), cytochrome P450, family 19, subfamily A, polypeptide 1a (cyp19a1a), forkhead box L2a (foxl2a), gonadal soma-derived factor (gsdf), r-spondin 1 (rspo1), sexually dimorphic on the Y chromosome (sdY)), retinoic acid-signalling (aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a2 (aldh1a2), cytochrome P450 family 26 a1 (cyp26a1), cytochrome P450 family 26 b1 (cyp26b1), t-box transcription factor 1 (tbx1a)) and neuroestrogen production (cytochrome P450, family 19, subfamily A, polypeptide 1b (cyp19a1b)) was investigated. Significant sex-related differences were observed only for the expression of amh, cyp19a1a, gsdf and sdY. In males, amh, gsdf and sdY were upregulated from 34, 59 and 44 dph respectively. In females, cyp19a1a was upregulated from 66 dph. Independent of sex, foxl2a expression was highest at 0 dph and had reduced ∼ 47-fold by the time of morphological sex differentiation at 52 dph. This study provides new insights into the timing and sequence of some physiological changes associated with sex differentiation in Atlantic salmon. These findings also reveal that some aspects of the mRNA sex differentiation pathways in Atlantic salmon are unique compared to other teleost fishes, including other salmonids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan S Brown
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University Warrnambool Campus, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280, Australia.
| | - Brad S Evans
- Tassal Operations, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia.
| | - Luis O B Afonso
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia.
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33
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Bloom syndrome helicase contributes to germ line development and longevity in zebrafish. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:363. [PMID: 35436990 PMCID: PMC9016072 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04815-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
RecQ helicases—also known as the “guardians of the genome”—play crucial roles in genome integrity maintenance through their involvement in various DNA metabolic pathways. Aside from being conserved from bacteria to vertebrates, their importance is also reflected in the fact that in humans impaired function of multiple RecQ helicase orthologs are known to cause severe sets of problems, including Bloom, Werner, or Rothmund-Thomson syndromes. Our aim was to create and characterize a zebrafish (Danio rerio) disease model for Bloom syndrome, a recessive autosomal disorder. In humans, this syndrome is characterized by short stature, skin rashes, reduced fertility, increased risk of carcinogenesis, and shortened life expectancy brought on by genomic instability. We show that zebrafish blm mutants recapitulate major hallmarks of the human disease, such as shortened lifespan and reduced fertility. Moreover, similarly to other factors involved in DNA repair, some functions of zebrafish Blm bear additional importance in germ line development, and consequently in sex differentiation. Unlike fanc genes and rad51, however, blm appears to affect its function independent of tp53. Therefore, our model will be a valuable tool for further understanding the developmental and molecular attributes of this rare disease, along with providing novel insights into the role of genome maintenance proteins in somatic DNA repair and fertility.
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34
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Ryu JH, Xu L, Wong TT. Advantages, Factors, Obstacles, Potential Solutions, and Recent Advances of Fish Germ Cell Transplantation for Aquaculture-A Practical Review. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040423. [PMID: 35203131 PMCID: PMC8868515 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040423] [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: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review aims to provide practical information and viewpoints regarding fish germ cell transplantation for enhancing its commercial applications. We reviewed and summarized the data from more than 70 important studies and described the advantages, obstacles, recent advances, and future perspectives of fish germ cell transplantation. We concluded and proposed the critical factors for achieving better success and various options for germ cell transplantation with their pros and cons. Additionally, we discussed why this technology has not actively been utilized for commercial purposes, what barriers need to be overcome, and what potential solutions can advance its applications in aquaculture. Abstract Germ cell transplantation technology enables surrogate offspring production in fish. This technology has been expected to mitigate reproductive barriers, such as long generation time, limited fecundity, and complex broodstock management, enhancing seed production and productivity in aquaculture. Many studies of germ cell transplantation in various fish species have been reported over a few decades. So far, surrogate offspring production has been achieved in many commercial species. In addition, the knowledge of fish germ cell biology and the related technologies that can enhance transplantation efficiency and productivity has been developed. Nevertheless, the commercial application of this technology still seems to lag behind, indicating that the established models are neither beneficial nor cost-effective enough to attract potential commercial users of this technology. Furthermore, there are existing bottlenecks in practical aspects such as impractical shortening of generation time, shortage of donor cells with limited resources, low efficiency, and unsuccessful surrogate offspring production in some fish species. These obstacles need to be overcome through further technology developments. Thus, we thoroughly reviewed the studies on fish germ cell transplantation reported to date, focusing on the practicality, and proposed potential solutions and future perspectives.
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35
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Aharon D, Marlow FL. Sexual determination in zebrafish. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:8. [PMID: 34936027 PMCID: PMC11072476 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04066-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish have emerged as a major model organism to study vertebrate reproduction due to their high fecundity and external development of eggs and embryos. The mechanisms through which zebrafish determine their sex have come under extensive investigation, as they lack a definite sex-determining chromosome and appear to have a highly complex method of sex determination. Single-gene mutagenesis has been employed to isolate the function of genes that determine zebrafish sex and regulate sex-specific differentiation, and to explore the interactions of genes that promote female or male sexual fate. In this review, we focus on recent advances in understanding of the mechanisms, including genetic and environmental factors, governing zebrafish sex development with comparisons to gene functions in other species to highlight conserved and potentially species-specific mechanisms for specifying and maintaining sexual fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devora Aharon
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy, Place Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA
| | - Florence L Marlow
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy, Place Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA.
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36
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Zhu Y. Metalloproteases in gonad formation and ovulation. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 314:113924. [PMID: 34606745 PMCID: PMC8576836 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Changes in expression or activation of various metalloproteases including matrix metalloproteases (Mmp), a disintegrin and metalloprotease (Adam) and a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motif (Adamts), and their endogenous inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases, Timp), have been shown to be critical for ovulation in various species from studies in past decades. Some of these metalloproteases such as Adamts1, Adamts9, Mmp2, and Mmp9 have also been shown to be regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH) and/or progestin, which are essential triggers for ovulation in all vertebrate species. Most of these metalloproteases also express broadly in various tissues and cells including germ cells and somatic gonad cells. Thus, metalloproteases likely play roles in gonad formation processes comprising primordial germ cell (PGC) migration, development of germ and somatic cells, and sex determination. However, our knowledge on the functions and mechanisms of metalloproteases in these processes in vertebrates is still lacking. This review will summarize our current knowledge on the metalloproteases in ovulation and gonad formation with emphasis on PGC migration and germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhu
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
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37
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Urushibata H, Sasaki K, Takahashi E, Hanada T, Fujimoto T, Arai K, Yamaha E. Control of Developmental Speed in Zebrafish Embryos Using Different Incubation Temperatures. Zebrafish 2021; 18:316-325. [PMID: 34491109 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2021.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish is a valuable model organism that is widely used in studies of vertebrate development. In the laboratory, zebrafish embryonic development is normally carried out at 28.5°C. In this study, we sought to determine whether it was possible to modify the speed of embryonic development through the use of short- and long-term variations in incubation temperature. After incubation at 20°C-32°C, most early-stage embryos survived to the epiboly stage, whereas more than half of the embryos died at <20°C or >32°C. The rate of development differed between embryos incubated at the lowest (18°C) and highest (34°C) temperatures: a difference of 60 min was observed at the 2-cell stage and 290 min at the 1k-cell stage. When blastulae that had developed at 28°C were transferred to a temperature lower than 18°C for one or more hours, they developed normally after being returned to the original 28°C. Analyses using green fluorescent protein-buckyball mRNA and in situ hybridization against vasa mRNA showed that primordial germ cells increase under low-temperature culture; this response may be of use for studies involving heterochronic germ cell transplantation. Our study shows that embryonic developmental speed can be slowed, which will be of value for performing time-consuming, complicated, and delicate microsurgical operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaro Urushibata
- Laboratory of Aquaculture Genetics and Genomics, Faculty and Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Japan.,Nanae Freshwater Station, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Nanae, Japan.,Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Sasaki
- Laboratory of Aquaculture Genetics and Genomics, Faculty and Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Japan
| | - Eisuke Takahashi
- Nanae Freshwater Station, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Nanae, Japan
| | - Toshikatsu Hanada
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Takafumi Fujimoto
- Laboratory of Aquaculture Genetics and Genomics, Faculty and Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Arai
- Laboratory of Aquaculture Genetics and Genomics, Faculty and Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Japan
| | - Etsuro Yamaha
- Nanae Freshwater Station, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Nanae, Japan
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38
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Islam KN, Modi MM, Siegfried KR. The Zebrafish Meiotic Cohesin Complex Protein Smc1b Is Required for Key Events in Meiotic Prophase I. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:714245. [PMID: 34434933 PMCID: PMC8381726 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.714245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) proteins are involved in key processes of chromosome structure and dynamics. SMC1β was identified as a component of the meiotic cohesin complex in vertebrates, which aids in keeping sister chromatids together prior to segregation in meiosis II and is involved in association of homologous chromosomes in meiosis I. The role of SMC1β in meiosis has primarily been studied in mice, where mutant male and female mice are infertile due to germ cell arrest at pachytene and metaphase II stages, respectively. Here, we investigate the function of zebrafish Smc1b to understand the role of this protein more broadly in vertebrates. We found that zebrafish smc1b is necessary for fertility and has important roles in meiosis, yet has no other apparent roles in development. Therefore, smc1b functions primarily in meiosis in both fish and mammals. In zebrafish, we showed that smc1b mutant spermatocytes initiated telomere clustering in leptotene, but failed to complete this process and progress into zygotene. Furthermore, mutant spermatocytes displayed a complete failure of synapsis between homologous chromosomes and homolog pairing only occurred at chromosome ends. Interestingly, meiotic DNA double strand breaks occurred in the absence of Smc1b despite failed pairing and synapsis. Overall, our findings point to an essential role of Smc1b in the leptotene to zygotene transition during zebrafish spermatogenesis. In addition, ovarian follicles failed to form in smc1b mutants, suggesting an essential role in female meiosis as well. Our results indicate that there are some key differences in Smc1b requirement in meiosis among vertebrates: while Smc1b is not required for homolog pairing and synapsis in mice, it is essential for these processes in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazi Nazrul Islam
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maitri Mitesh Modi
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
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39
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Sakae Y, Tanaka M. Metabolism and Sex Differentiation in Animals from a Starvation Perspective. Sex Dev 2021; 15:168-178. [PMID: 34284403 DOI: 10.1159/000515281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals determine their sex genetically (GSD: genetic sex determination) and/or environmentally (ESD: environmental sex determination). Medaka (Oryzias latipes) employ a XX/XY GSD system, however, they display female-to-male sex reversal in response to various environmental changes such as temperature, hypoxia, and green light. Interestingly, we found that 5 days of starvation during sex differentiation caused female-to-male sex reversal. In this situation, the metabolism of pantothenate and fatty acid synthesis plays an important role in sex reversal. Metabolism is associated with other biological factors such as germ cells, HPG axis, lipids, and epigenetics, and supplys substances and acts as signal transducers. In this review, we discuss the importance of metabolism during sex differentiation and how metabolism contributes to sex differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Sakae
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Minoru Tanaka
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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40
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Vong YH, Sivashanmugam L, Leech R, Zaucker A, Jones A, Sampath K. The RNA-binding protein Igf2bp3 is critical for embryonic and germline development in zebrafish. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009667. [PMID: 34214072 PMCID: PMC8282044 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to reproduce is essential in all branches of life. In metazoans, this process is initiated by formation of the germline, a group of cells that are destined to form the future gonads, the tissue that will produce the gametes. The molecular mechanisms underlying germline formation differs between species. In zebrafish, development of the germline is dependent on the specification, migration and proliferation of progenitors called the primordial germ cells (PGCs). PGC specification is dependent on a maternally provided cytoplasmic complex of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), the germplasm. Here, we show that the conserved RNA-binding protein (RBP), Igf2bp3, has an essential role during early embryonic development and germline development. Loss of Igf2bp3 leads to an expanded yolk syncytial layer (YSL) in early embryos, reduced germline RNA expression, and mis-regulated germline development. We show that loss of maternal Igf2bp3 function results in translational de-regulation of a Nodal reporter during the mid-blastula transition. Furthermore, maternal igf2bp3 mutants exhibit reduced expression of germplasm transcripts, defects in chemokine guidance, abnormal PGC behavior and germ cell death. Consistently, adult igf2bp3 mutants show a strong male bias. Our findings suggest that Igf2bp3 is essential for normal embryonic and germline development, and acts as a key regulator of sexual development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Ho Vong
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Lavanya Sivashanmugam
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Leech
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Zaucker
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Jones
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Karuna Sampath
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Centre for Early Life, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
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41
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Liu X, Zhu Y, Zhao Y, Wang Y, Li W, Hong X, Yu L, Chen C, Xu H, Zhu X. Vasa expression is associated with sex differentiation in the Asian yellow pond turtle, Mauremys mutica. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2021; 336:431-442. [PMID: 34101984 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Vasa, one of the best-studied germ cell markers plays a critical role in germ cell development and differentiation in animals. Vasa deficiency would lead to male-specific sterility in most vertebrates, but female sterility in the fly. However, the role of the vasa gene involved in germ cell differentiation is largely elusive. Here, we first characterized the expression profile of vasa products in the Asian yellow pond turtle by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence immunostaining. The results showed that vasa messenger RNA (mRNA) is initially detected in embryos at stage 16, and then dramatically increased in embryos at stage 19. In particular, like the sex-related genes, vasa mRNA exhibited differential expression in embryos between the male-producing temperature (MPT, 25°C) and the female-producing temperature (FPT, 33°C), whereas there was no difference in methylation levels of vasa promoter detected between FPT and MPT. In contrast, in the adult Asian yellow pond, the level of vasa mRNA was much higher in the testis than ovary. Moreover, the immunostaining on testicular sections and cells showed that Vasa protein was exclusively expressed in germ cells: Weak but detectable in spermatogonia, highest in spermatocytes, moderate and concentrated in chromatid bodies in spermatids and spermatozoa, and bare in somatic cells. The expression profile of Vasa protein is similar in turtle species studied so far but distinct from those in fish species in this study. The findings of this study would provide new insights into our understanding of the conservation and divergence of the vasa gene, even other germ cell genes across phyla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanyu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yakun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyou Hong
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingyun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinping Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
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42
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Carver JJ, He Y, Zhu Y. Delay in primordial germ cell migration in adamts9 knockout zebrafish. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8545. [PMID: 33879810 PMCID: PMC8058341 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88024-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Adamts9 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 9) is one of a few metalloproteinases structurally conserved from C. elegans to humans and is indispensable in germ cell migration in invertebrates. However, adamts9's roles in germ cell migration in vertebrates has not been examined. In the present study, we found zygotic expression of adamts9 started around the germ ring stage and reached peak levels at 3 days post fertilization (dpf) in zebrafish. The migration of primordial germ cells (PGC) was completed within 24 hours (h) in wildtype siblings, while a delay in PGC migration was found at 15 and 24-h post-fertilization (hpf) in the Adamts9 knockout (KO). However, the delayed PGC migration in Adamts9 KO disappeared at 48 hpf. Our study suggests a conserved function of Adamts9 in germ cell migration among invertebrates and vertebrates. In addition, our results also suggest that Adamts9 is not essential for germ cell migration as reported in C. elegans, possibly due to expansion of Adamts family members and compensatory roles from other metalloproteinases in vertebrates. Further studies are required in order to elucidate the functions and mechanisms of metalloproteinases in germ cell migration and gonad formation in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Carver
- Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carolina University, 1000 E. 5th Street, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Yuanfa He
- Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carolina University, 1000 E. 5th Street, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA.,College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Zhu
- Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carolina University, 1000 E. 5th Street, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA.
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43
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Zebrafish male differentiation: Do all testes go through a "juvenile ovary" stage? Tissue Cell 2021; 72:101545. [PMID: 33915358 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2021.101545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) studies describe before the onset of mature gonads differentiation all individuals go through a "juvenile ovary" stage. However, the sequential events of the early zebrafish gonad differentiation are still not described in full detail and recent works indicate that some individuals never form a "juvenile ovary" structure. Therefore, the present study aimed to confirm the existence of two processes of zebrafish male differentiation. For this purpose, every two days between 20 and 30 days post-fertilization (dpf) zebrafish were collected for a stereological analysis of the differentiating gonads. The histological evaluation showed that prior to 22 dpf, zebrafish gonads were still undifferentiated. At 24 dpf, some individuals started to present a "juvenile ovary" and from 26 to 30 dpf, it was possible to discern two processes of gonad development. The majority of the individuals (80 %) developed a "juvenile ovary", while in the remaining (20 %) it was not possible to detect this structure. The results of the present study show the existence of two distinct processes of zebrafish male gonad development, indicating that not all individuals go through the "juvenile ovary" stage.
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44
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Orbán L, Saju JM, Tzung KW, Liew WC. Masculinization of Zebrafish Through Partial Depletion of Primordial Germ Cells by Injecting Diluted Morpholino Oligonucleotides into Embryos. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2218:49-60. [PMID: 33606222 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0970-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of reproduction in zebrafish, the prime model of fish research, is not fully understood. An efficient tool to gain a better understanding of this complicated process is utilization of severely sex-biased families or groups. Here, we describe a method for partial depletion of primordial germ cells (PGCs) that leads to eventual masculinization of zebrafish. The technique is based on injecting early embryos with diluted morpholino oligonucleotides that temporarily interfere with the production of Dead end (Dnd), an RNA-binding protein essential for PGC survival. In addition, we also propose the use of eviscerated trunk, as a suitable alternative for examining gonadal expression in juvenile zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Orbán
- Reproductive Genomics Group, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore, Singapore. .,Frontline Fish Genomics Research Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Georgikon Campus, Szent István University, Keszthely, Hungary. .,Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
| | - Jolly M Saju
- Reproductive Genomics Group, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Keh-Weei Tzung
- Reproductive Genomics Group, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Woei Chang Liew
- Reproductive Genomics Group, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore, Singapore
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45
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Zhang X, Li Y, Zhang Y, Li S. Characterization of small RNAs in early zebrafish PGCs. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2021; 53:514-516. [PMID: 33506864 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yiping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yunbin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shifeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
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46
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The Role of DNA Methylation Reprogramming during Sex Determination and Transition in Zebrafish. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2021; 19:48-63. [PMID: 33610791 PMCID: PMC8640932 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a prevalent epigenetic modification in vertebrates, and it has been shown to be involved the regulation of gene expression and embryo development. However, it remains unclear how DNA methylation regulates sexual development, especially in species without sex chromosomes. To determine this, we utilized zebrafish to investigate DNA methylation reprogramming during juvenile germ cell development and adult female-to-male sex transition. We reveal that primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo significant DNA methylation reprogramming during germ cell development, and the methylome of PGCs is reset to an oocyte/ovary-like pattern at 9 days post fertilization (9 dpf). When DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity in juveniles was blocked after 9 dpf, the zebrafish developed into females. We also show that Tet3 is involved in PGC development. Notably, we find that DNA methylome reprogramming during adult zebrafish sex transition is similar to the reprogramming during the sex differentiation from 9 dpf PGCs to sperm. Furthermore, inhibiting DNMT activity can prevent the female-to-male sex transition, suggesting that methylation reprogramming is required for zebrafish sex transition. In summary, DNA methylation plays important roles in zebrafish germ cell development and sexual plasticity.
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47
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Xie QP, Li BB, Zhan W, Liu F, Tan P, Wang X, Lou B. A Transient Hermaphroditic Stage in Early Male Gonadal Development in Little Yellow Croaker, Larimichthys polyactis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 11:542942. [PMID: 33584533 PMCID: PMC7873647 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.542942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal taxa show remarkable variability in sexual reproduction, where separate sexes, or gonochorism, is thought to have evolved from hermaphroditism for most cases. Hermaphroditism accounts for 5% in animals, and sequential hermaphroditism has been found in teleost. In this study, we characterized a novel form of the transient hermaphroditic stage in little yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) during early gonadal development. The ovary and testis were indistinguishable from 7 to 40 days post-hatching (dph). Morphological and histological examinations revealed an intersex stage of male gonads between 43 and 80 dph, which consist of germ cells, somatic cells, efferent duct, and early primary oocytes (EPOs). These EPOs in testis degenerate completely by 90 dph through apoptosis yet can be rescued by exogenous 17-β-estradiol. Male germ cells enter the mitotic flourishing stage before meiosis is initiated at 180 dph, and they undergo normal spermatogenesis to produce functional sperms. This transient hermaphroditic stage is male-specific, and the ovary development appears to be normal in females. This developmental pattern is not found in the sister species Larimichthys crocea or any other closely related species. Further examinations of serum hormone levels indicate that the absence of 11-ketotestosterone and elevated levels of 17-β-estradiol delineate the male intersex gonad stage, providing mechanistic insights on this unique phenomenon. Our research is the first report on male-specific transient hermaphroditism and will advance the current understanding of fish reproductive biology. This unique gonadal development pattern can serve as a useful model for studying the evolutionary relationship between hermaphroditism and gonochorism, as well as teleost sex determination and differentiation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Ping Xie
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Marine Fisheries Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan, China
| | - Bing-Bing Li
- School of Fishery, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, China
| | - Wei Zhan
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Tan
- Marine Fisheries Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States
- The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, United States
| | - Bao Lou
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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48
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Redl S, de Jesus Domingues AM, Caspani E, Möckel S, Salvenmoser W, Mendez-Lago M, Ketting RF. Extensive nuclear gyration and pervasive non-genic transcription during primordial germ cell development in zebrafish. Development 2021; 148:dev193060. [PMID: 33298460 PMCID: PMC7847270 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors of germ cells, which migrate to the genital ridge during early development. Relatively little is known about PGCs after their migration. We studied this post-migratory stage using microscopy and sequencing techniques, and found that many PGC-specific genes, including genes known to induce PGC fate in the mouse, are only activated several days after migration. At this same time point, PGC nuclei become extremely gyrated, displaying general broad opening of chromatin and high levels of intergenic transcription. This is accompanied by changes in nuage morphology, expression of large loci (PGC-expressed non-coding RNA loci, PERLs) that are enriched for retro-transposons and piRNAs, and a rise in piRNA biogenesis signatures. Interestingly, no nuclear Piwi protein could be detected at any time point, indicating that the zebrafish piRNA pathway is fully cytoplasmic. Our data show that the post-migratory stage of zebrafish PGCs holds many cues to both germ cell fate establishment and piRNA pathway activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Redl
- Biology of Non-coding RNA Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Edoardo Caspani
- Biology of Non-coding RNA Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- International PhD Programme on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics & Genome Stability, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefanie Möckel
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Willi Salvenmoser
- Institute of Zoology, Evolution and Developmental Biology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraβe 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Mendez-Lago
- Genomics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - René F Ketting
- Biology of Non-coding RNA Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
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49
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Xie Y, Huang D, Chu L, Liu Y, Sun X, Li J, Cheng CHK. Igf3 is essential for ovary differentiation in zebrafish†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:589-601. [PMID: 33276384 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish gonadal sexual differentiation is an important but poorly understood subject. Previously, we have identified a novel insulin-like growth factor (Igf) named insulin-like growth factor 3 (Igf3) in teleosts. The importance of Igf3 in oocyte maturation and ovulation has been recently demonstrated by us in zebrafish. In this study, we have further found the essential role of Igf3 in gonadal sexual differentiation of zebrafish. A differential expression pattern of igf3 between ovary and testis during sex differentiation (higher level in ovary than in testis) was found in zebrafish. An igf3 knockout zebrafish line was established using TALENs-mediated gene knockout technique. Intriguingly, all igf3 homozygous mutants were males due to the female-to-male sex reversal occurred during sex differentiation. Further analysis showed that Igf3 did not seem to affect the formation of so-called juvenile ovary and oocyte-like germ cells. Oocyte development was arrested at primary growth stage, and the ovary was gradually sex-reversed to testis before 60 day post fertilization (dpf). Such sex reversal was likely due to decreased germ cell proliferation by suppressing PI3K/Akt pathway in early ovaries of igf3 mutants. Estrogen is considered as a master regulator in fish sex differentiation. Here, we found that igf3 expression could be upregulated by estrogen in early stages of ovarian follicles as evidenced in in vitro treatment assays and cyp19a1a mutant zebrafish, and E2 failed to rescue the defects of igf3 mutants in ovarian development, suggesting that Igf3 may serve as a downstream factor of estrogen signaling in sex differentiation. Taken together, we demonstrated that Igf3 is essential for ovary differentiation in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Xie
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Duo Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Lianhe Chu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Yun Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Xiao Sun
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Jianzhen Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Christopher H K Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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50
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Vandeputte M, Clota F, Sadoul B, Blanc M, Blondeau‐Bidet E, Bégout M, Cousin X, Geffroy B. Low temperature has opposite effects on sex determination in a marine fish at the larval/postlarval and juvenile stages. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:13825-13835. [PMID: 33391683 PMCID: PMC7771145 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) can be observed in multiple reptile and fish species. It is adaptive when varying environmental conditions advantage either males or females. A good knowledge of the thermosensitive period is key to understand how environmental changes may lead to changes in population sex ratio. Here, by manipulating temperature during development, we confirm that cold temperature (16°C) increases the proportion of fish that develop as females in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) until 56 days posthatching, but show that it has an opposite effect at later stages, with the proportion of males reaching ~90% after 230 days at 16°C. This is the first observation of opposite effects of temperature at different time periods on the sex ratio of a vertebrate. Our results highlight the potential complexity of environmental effects on sex determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Vandeputte
- Université Paris‐Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTechGABIJouy‐en‐JosasFrance
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IfremerIRDPalavas‐les‐FlotsFrance
| | - Frédéric Clota
- Université Paris‐Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTechGABIJouy‐en‐JosasFrance
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IfremerIRDPalavas‐les‐FlotsFrance
| | - Bastien Sadoul
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IfremerIRDPalavas‐les‐FlotsFrance
| | | | | | | | - Xavier Cousin
- Université Paris‐Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTechGABIJouy‐en‐JosasFrance
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IfremerIRDPalavas‐les‐FlotsFrance
| | - Benjamin Geffroy
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IfremerIRDPalavas‐les‐FlotsFrance
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