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Shang T, Jiang T, Cui X, Pan Y, Feng X, Dong L, Wang H. Diverse functions of SOX9 in liver development and homeostasis and hepatobiliary diseases. Genes Dis 2024; 11:100996. [PMID: 38523677 PMCID: PMC10958229 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The liver is the central organ for digestion and detoxification and has unique metabolic and regenerative capacities. The hepatobiliary system originates from the foregut endoderm, in which cells undergo multiple events of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation to form the liver parenchyma and ductal system under the hierarchical regulation of transcription factors. Studies on liver development and diseases have revealed that SRY-related high-mobility group box 9 (SOX9) plays an important role in liver embryogenesis and the progression of hepatobiliary diseases. SOX9 is not only a master regulator of cell fate determination and tissue morphogenesis, but also regulates various biological features of cancer, including cancer stemness, invasion, and drug resistance, making SOX9 a potential biomarker for tumor prognosis and progression. This review systematically summarizes the latest findings of SOX9 in hepatobiliary development, homeostasis, and disease. We also highlight the value of SOX9 as a novel biomarker and potential target for the clinical treatment of major liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiyu Shang
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Tianyi Jiang
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiaowen Cui
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
| | - Yufei Pan
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
| | - Xiaofan Feng
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Liwei Dong
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hongyang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
- Laboratory of Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University & Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200438, China
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2
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Kim DH, Loke H, Thompson J, Hill R, Sundram S, Lee J. The dopamine D2-like receptor and the Y-chromosome gene, SRY, are reciprocally regulated in the human male neuroblastoma M17 cell line. Neuropharmacology 2024; 251:109928. [PMID: 38552780 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Hannah Loke
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - James Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Rachel Hill
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Suresh Sundram
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Mental Health Program, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Joohyung Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia.
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3
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Kumar C, Roy JK. Decoding the epigenetic mechanism of mammalian sex determination. Exp Cell Res 2024; 439:114011. [PMID: 38531506 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114011] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Sex determination embodies a dynamic and intricate developmental process wielding significant influence over the destiny of bipotential gonads, steering them towards male or female gonads. Gonadal differentiation and the postnatal manifestation of the gonadal phenotype involve a sophisticated interplay of transcription factors such as SOX9 and FOXL2. Central to this interplay are chromatin modifiers regulating the mutual antagonism during this interplay. In this review, the key findings and knowledge gaps in DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA-mediated control throughout mammalian gonadal development are covered. Furthermore, it explores the role of the developing brain in playing a pivotal role in the initiation of gonadogenesis and the subsequent involvement of gonadal hormone/hormone receptor in fine-tuning sexual differentiation. Based on promising facts, the role of the developing brain through the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis is explained and suggested as a novel hypothesis. The article also discusses the potential impact of ecological factors on the human epigenome in relation to sex determination and trans-generational epigenetics in uncovering novel genes and mechanisms involved in sex determination and gonadal differentiation. We have subtly emphasized the disruptions in epigenetic regulations contributing to sexual disorders, which further allows us to raise certain questions, decipher approaches for handling these questions and setting up the direction of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cash Kumar
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Jagat Kumar Roy
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.
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4
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Fakhro KA, Awwad J, Garibova S, Saraiva LR, Avella M. Conserved genes regulating human sex differentiation, gametogenesis and fertilization. J Transl Med 2024; 22:473. [PMID: 38764035 PMCID: PMC11103854 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05162-2] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of the functional genome in mice and humans has been instrumental for describing the conserved molecular mechanisms regulating human reproductive biology, and for defining the etiologies of monogenic fertility disorders. Infertility is a reproductive disorder that includes various conditions affecting a couple's ability to achieve a healthy pregnancy. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing and CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing technologies have facilitated the identification and characterization of genes and mechanisms that, if affected, lead to infertility. We report established genes that regulate conserved functions in fundamental reproductive processes (e.g., sex determination, gametogenesis, and fertilization). We only cover genes the deletion of which yields comparable fertility phenotypes in both rodents and humans. In the case of newly-discovered genes, we report the studies demonstrating shared cellular and fertility phenotypes resulting from loss-of-function mutations in both species. Finally, we introduce new model systems for the study of human reproductive biology and highlight the importance of studying human consanguineous populations to discover novel monogenic causes of infertility. The rapid and continuous screening and identification of putative genetic defects coupled with an efficient functional characterization in animal models can reveal novel mechanisms of gene function in human reproductive tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid A Fakhro
- Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Johnny Awwad
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Vincent Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Service, The Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Luis R Saraiva
- Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Matteo Avella
- Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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5
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Abou Nader N, Charrier L, Meisnsohn MC, Banville L, Deffrennes B, St-Jean G, Boerboom D, Zamberlam G, Brind'Amour J, Pépin D, Boyer A. Lats1 and Lats2 regulate YAP and TAZ activity to control the development of mouse Sertoli cells. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23633. [PMID: 38690712 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400346r] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Recent reports suggest that the Hippo signaling pathway regulates testis development, though its exact roles in Sertoli cell differentiation remain unknown. Here, we examined the functions of the main Hippo pathway kinases, large tumor suppressor homolog kinases 1 and 2 (Lats1 and Lats2) in developing mouse Sertoli cells. Conditional inactivation of Lats1/2 in Sertoli cells resulted in the disorganization and overgrowth of the testis cords, the induction of a testicular inflammatory response and germ cell apoptosis. Stimulated by retinoic acid 8 (STRA8) expression in germ cells additionally suggested that germ cells may have been preparing to enter meiosis prior to their loss. Gene expression analyses of the developing testes of conditional knockout animals further suggested impaired Sertoli cell differentiation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and the induction of a specific set of genes associated with Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ)-mediated integrin signaling. Finally, the involvement of YAP/TAZ in Sertoli cell differentiation was confirmed by concomitantly inactivating Yap/Taz in Lats1/2 conditional knockout model, which resulted in a partial rescue of the testicular phenotypic changes. Taken together, these results identify Hippo signaling as a crucial pathway for Sertoli cell development and provide novel insight into Sertoli cell fate maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Abou Nader
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Laureline Charrier
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie-Charlotte Meisnsohn
- Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Laurence Banville
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bérengère Deffrennes
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Guillaume St-Jean
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gustavo Zamberlam
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julie Brind'Amour
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - David Pépin
- Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexandre Boyer
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
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6
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Suen HC, Ou F, Miu KK, Wang Z, Chan WY, Liao J. The single-cell chromatin landscape in gonadal cell lineage specification. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:464. [PMID: 38741085 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10376-1] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Gonad development includes sex determination and divergent maturation of the testes and ovaries. Recent advances in measuring gene expression in single cells are providing new insights into this complex process. However, the underlying epigenetic regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we profiled chromatin accessibility in mouse gonadal cells of both sexes from embryonic day 11.5 to 14.5 using single-cell assay for transposase accessible chromatin by sequencing (scATAC-seq). Our results showed that individual cell types can be inferred by the chromatin landscape, and that cells can be temporally ordered along developmental trajectories. Integrative analysis of transcriptomic and chromatin-accessibility maps identified multiple putative regulatory elements proximal to key gonadal genes Nr5a1, Sox9 and Wt1. We also uncover cell type-specific regulatory factors underlying cell type specification. Overall, our results provide a better understanding of the epigenetic landscape associated with the progressive restriction of cell fates in the gonad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Ching Suen
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fanghong Ou
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kai-Kei Miu
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhangting Wang
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai-Yee Chan
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jinyue Liao
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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7
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Luppino G, Wasniewska M, Coco R, Pepe G, Morabito LA, Li Pomi A, Corica D, Aversa T. Role of NR5A1 Gene Mutations in Disorders of Sex Development: Molecular and Clinical Features. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:4519-4532. [PMID: 38785542 PMCID: PMC11119465 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46050274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Disorders/differences of sex development (DSDs) are defined as broad, heterogenous groups of congenital conditions characterized by atypical development of genetic, gonadal, or phenotypic sex accompanied by abnormal development of internal and/or external genitalia. NR5A1 gene mutation is one of the principal genetic alterations implicated in causing DSD. This review outlines the role of NR5A1 gene during the process of gonadal development in humans, provides an overview of the molecular and functional characteristics of NR5A1 gene, and discusses potential clinical phenotypes and additional organ diseases due to NR5A1 mutations. NR5A1 mutations were analyzed in patients with 46,XY DSD and 46,XX DSD both during the neonatal and pubertal periods. Loss of function of the NR5A1 gene causes several different phenotypes, including some associated with disease in additional organs. Clinical phenotypes may vary, even among patients carrying the same NR5A1 variant, indicating that there is no specific genotype-phenotype correlation. Genetic tests are crucial diagnostic tools that should be used early in the diagnostic pathway, as early as the neonatal period, when gonadal dysgenesis is the main manifestation of NR5A1 mutation. NR5A1 gene mutations could be mainly associated with amenorrhea, ovarian failure, hypogonadism, and infertility during puberty. Fertility preservation techniques should be considered as early as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Luppino
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (G.P.); (A.L.P.); (D.C.); (T.A.)
| | - Malgorzata Wasniewska
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (G.P.); (A.L.P.); (D.C.); (T.A.)
- Pediatric Unit, AOU Policlinico G. Martino, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Roberto Coco
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (G.P.); (A.L.P.); (D.C.); (T.A.)
| | - Giorgia Pepe
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (G.P.); (A.L.P.); (D.C.); (T.A.)
- Pediatric Unit, AOU Policlinico G. Martino, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Letteria Anna Morabito
- Pediatric Unit, AOU Policlinico G. Martino, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Li Pomi
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (G.P.); (A.L.P.); (D.C.); (T.A.)
| | - Domenico Corica
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (G.P.); (A.L.P.); (D.C.); (T.A.)
- Pediatric Unit, AOU Policlinico G. Martino, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Tommaso Aversa
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (G.P.); (A.L.P.); (D.C.); (T.A.)
- Pediatric Unit, AOU Policlinico G. Martino, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy;
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8
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Cao J, El Mansouri F, Reynoso S, Liu Z, Zhu J, Taketo T. Inefficient Sox9 upregulation and absence of Rspo1 repression lead to sex reversal in the B6.XYTIR mouse gonad†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:985-999. [PMID: 38376238 PMCID: PMC11094394 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae018] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Sry on the Y-chromosome upregulates Sox9, which in turn upregulates a set of genes such as Fgf9 to initiate testicular differentiation in the XY gonad. In the absence of Sry expression, genes such as Rspo1, Foxl2, and Runx1 support ovarian differentiation in the XX gonad. These two pathways antagonize each other to ensure the development of only one gonadal sex in normal development. In the B6.YTIR mouse, carrying the YTIR-chromosome on the B6 genetic background, Sry is expressed in a comparable manner with that in the B6.XY mouse, yet, only ovaries or ovotestes develop. We asked how testicular and ovarian differentiation pathways interact to determine the gonadal sex in the B6.YTIR mouse. Our results showed that (1) transcript levels of Sox9 were much lower than in B6.XY gonads while those of Rspo1 and Runx1 were as high as B6.XX gonads at 11.5 and 12.5 days postcoitum. (2) FOXL2-positive cells appeared in mosaic with SOX9-positive cells at 12.5 days postcoitum. (3) SOX9-positive cells formed testis cords in the central area while those disappeared to leave only FOXL2-positive cells in the poles or the entire area at 13.5 days postcoitum. (4) No difference was found at transcript levels of all genes between the left and right gonads up to 12.5 days postcoitum, although ovotestes developed much more frequently on the left than the right at 13.5 days postcoitum. These results suggest that inefficient Sox9 upregulation and the absence of Rspo1 repression prevent testicular differentiation in the B6.YTIR gonad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangqin Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Guangling College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fatima El Mansouri
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sofia Reynoso
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaqiao Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Guangling College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Teruko Taketo
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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9
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Gao Y, Wang Z, Long Y, Yang L, Jiang Y, Ding D, Teng B, Chen M, Yuan J, Gao F. Unveiling the roles of Sertoli cells lineage differentiation in reproductive development and disorders: a review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1357594. [PMID: 38699384 PMCID: PMC11063913 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1357594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In mammals, gonadal somatic cell lineage differentiation determines the development of the bipotential gonad into either the ovary or testis. Sertoli cells, the only somatic cells in the spermatogenic tubules, support spermatogenesis during gonadal development. During embryonic Sertoli cell lineage differentiation, relevant genes, including WT1, GATA4, SRY, SOX9, AMH, PTGDS, SF1, and DMRT1, are expressed at specific times and in specific locations to ensure the correct differentiation of the embryo toward the male phenotype. The dysregulated development of Sertoli cells leads to gonadal malformations and male fertility disorders. Nevertheless, the molecular pathways underlying the embryonic origin of Sertoli cells remain elusive. By reviewing recent advances in research on embryonic Sertoli cell genesis and its key regulators, this review provides novel insights into sex determination in male mammals as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the genealogical differentiation of Sertoli cells in the male reproductive ridge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Zican Wang
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Yue Long
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Lici Yang
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Yongjian Jiang
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Dongyu Ding
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Baojian Teng
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Min Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxiang Yuan
- The Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- The Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
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10
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Migale R, Neumann M, Mitter R, Rafiee MR, Wood S, Olsen J, Lovell-Badge R. FOXL2 interaction with different binding partners regulates the dynamics of ovarian development. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl0788. [PMID: 38517962 PMCID: PMC10959415 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The transcription factor FOXL2 is required in ovarian somatic cells for female fertility. Differential timing of Foxl2 deletion, in embryonic versus adult mouse ovary, leads to distinctive outcomes, suggesting different roles across development. Here, we comprehensively investigated FOXL2's role through a multi-omics approach to characterize gene expression dynamics and chromatin accessibility changes, coupled with genome-wide identification of FOXL2 targets and on-chromatin interacting partners in somatic cells across ovarian development. We found that FOXL2 regulates more targets postnatally, through interaction with factors regulating primordial follicle formation and steroidogenesis. Deletion of one interactor, ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (Usp7), results in impairment of somatic cell differentiation, germ cell nest breakdown, and ovarian development, leading to sterility. Our datasets constitute a comprehensive resource for exploration of the molecular mechanisms of ovarian development and causes of female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Migale
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Michelle Neumann
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Richard Mitter
- Bioinformatics core, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Mahmoud-Reza Rafiee
- RNA Networks Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Sophie Wood
- Genetic Modification Service, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Jessica Olsen
- Genetic Modification Service, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Robin Lovell-Badge
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
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11
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Ridnik M, Abberbock E, Alipov V, Lhermann SZ, Kaufman S, Lubman M, Poulat F, Gonen N. Two redundant transcription factor binding sites in a single enhancer are essential for mammalian sex determination. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae178. [PMID: 38499491 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Male development in mammals depends on the activity of the two SOX gene: Sry and Sox9, in the embryonic testis. As deletion of Enhancer 13 (Enh13) of the Sox9 gene results in XY male-to-female sex reversal, we explored the critical elements necessary for its function and hence, for testis and male development. Here, we demonstrate that while microdeletions of individual transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) in Enh13 lead to normal testicular development, combined microdeletions of just two SRY/SOX binding motifs can alone fully abolish Enh13 activity leading to XY male-to-female sex reversal. This suggests that for proper male development to occur, these few nucleotides of non-coding DNA must be intact. Interestingly, we show that depending on the nature of these TFBS mutations, dramatically different phenotypic outcomes can occur, providing a molecular explanation for the distinct clinical outcomes observed in patients harboring different variants in the same enhancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meshi Ridnik
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Elisheva Abberbock
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Veronica Alipov
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Shelly Ziv Lhermann
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Shoham Kaufman
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Maor Lubman
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Francis Poulat
- Group "Development and Pathology of the Gonad". Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS-University of Montpellier UMR9002, Montpellier, France
| | - Nitzan Gonen
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
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12
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Suzuki A, Uranishi K, Nishimoto M, Mizuno Y, Mizuno S, Takahashi S, Eisenman RN, Okuda A. MAX controls meiotic entry in sexually undifferentiated germ cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5236. [PMID: 38433229 PMCID: PMC10909893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55506-7] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that occurs physiologically only in germ cells. We previously demonstrated that MYC-associated factor X (MAX) blocks the ectopic onset of meiosis in embryonic and germline stem cells in culture systems. Here, we investigated the Max gene's role in mouse primordial germ cells. Although Max is generally ubiquitously expressed, we revealed that sexually undifferentiated male and female germ cells had abundant MAX protein because of their higher Max gene expression than somatic cells. Moreover, our data revealed that this high MAX protein level in female germ cells declined significantly around physiological meiotic onset. Max disruption in sexually undifferentiated germ cells led to ectopic and precocious expression of meiosis-related genes, including Meiosin, the gatekeeper of meiotic onset, in both male and female germ cells. However, Max-null male and female germ cells did not complete the entire meiotic process, but stalled during its early stages and were eventually eliminated by apoptosis. Additionally, our meta-analyses identified a regulatory region that supports the high Max expression in sexually undifferentiated male and female germ cells. These results indicate the strong connection between the Max gene and physiological onset of meiosis in vivo through dynamic alteration of its expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumu Suzuki
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan
| | - Kousuke Uranishi
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan
| | - Masazumi Nishimoto
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan
| | - Yosuke Mizuno
- Division of Morphological Science, Biomedical Research Center, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Iruma-gun, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan
| | - Seiya Mizuno
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Robert N Eisenman
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Akihiko Okuda
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan.
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13
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Huang GY, Fang GZ, Shi WJ, Li XP, Wang CS, Chen HX, Xie L, Ying GG. Interaction of 17α-ethinylestradiol and methyltestosterone in western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) across two generations. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 268:106854. [PMID: 38309221 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106854] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
The interactions between estrogen and androgen in aquatic animals remain largely unknown. In this study, two generations (F0 and F1) of western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were continuously exposed to 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2, 10 ng/L), methyltestosterone (MT, 10 ng/L (MTL); 50 ng/L (MTH)), and mixtures (EE2+MTL and EE2+MTH). Various endpoints, including sex ratio (phenotypic and genetic), secondary sex characteristics, gonadal histology, and transcriptional profile of genes, were examined. The results showed that G. affinis exposed to MTH and EE2+MTH had a > 89.7 % of phenotypic males in F1 generation, with 34.5 and 50.0 % of these males originated from genetic females, respectively. Moreover, females from F0 and F1 generations exposed to MTH and EE2+MTH exhibited masculinized anal fins and skeletons. The combined effect of MT and EE2 on most endpoints was dependent on MT. Furthermore, significant transcriptional alterations in certain target genes were observed in both the F0 and F1 generations by EE2 and MT alone and by mixtures, showing some degree of interactions. These findings that the effects of EE2+MTH were primarily on the phenotypic sex of G. affinis in offspring generation suggest that G. affinis under chronic exposure to the binary mixture contaminated water could have sex-biased populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Yong Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Gui-Zhen Fang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wen-Jun Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Pei Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chen-Si Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hong-Xing Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lingtian Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
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14
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Jiang K, Jorgensen JS. Fetal Leydig cells: What we know and what we don't. Mol Reprod Dev 2024; 91:e23739. [PMID: 38480999 PMCID: PMC11135463 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23739] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
During male fetal development, testosterone plays an essential role in the differentiation and maturation of the male reproductive system. Deficient fetal testosterone production can result in variations of sex differentiation that may cause infertility and even increased tumor incidence later in life. Fetal Leydig cells in the fetal testis are the major androgen source in mammals. Although fetal and adult Leydig cells are similar in their functions, they are two distinct cell types, and therefore, the knowledge of adult Leydig cells cannot be directly applied to understanding fetal Leydig cells. This review summarizes our current knowledge of fetal Leydig cells regarding their cell biology, developmental biology, and androgen production regulation in rodents and human. Fetal Leydig cells are present in basement membrane-enclosed clusters in between testis cords. They originate from the mesonephros mesenchyme and the coelomic epithelium and start to differentiate upon receiving a Desert Hedgehog signal from Sertoli cells or being released from a NOTCH signal from endothelial cells. Mature fetal Leydig cells produce androgens. Human fetal Leydig cell steroidogenesis is LHCGR (Luteinizing Hormone Chronic Gonadotropin Receptor) dependent, while rodents are not, although other Gαs -protein coupled receptors might be involved in rodent steroidogenesis regulation. Fetal steroidogenesis ceases after sex differentiation is completed, and some fetal Leydig cells dedifferentiate to serve as stem cells for adult testicular cell types. Significant gaps are acknowledged: (1) Why are adult and fetal Leydig cells different? (2) What are bona fide progenitor and fetal Leydig cell markers? (3) Which signaling pathways and transcription factors regulate fetal Leydig cell steroidogenesis? It is critical to discover answers to these questions so that we can understand vulnerable targets in fetal Leydig cells and the mechanisms for androgen production that when disrupted, leads to variations in sex differentiation that range from subtle to complete sex reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keer Jiang
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Joan S. Jorgensen
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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15
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Ming Z, Bagheri-Fam S, Frost ER, Ryan JM, Harley VR. A role for TRPC3 in mammalian testis development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1337714. [PMID: 38425503 PMCID: PMC10902130 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1337714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
SOX9 is a key transcription factor for testis determination and development. Mutations in and around the SOX9 gene contribute to Differences/Disorders of Sex Development (DSD). However, a substantial proportion of DSD patients lack a definitive genetic diagnosis. SOX9 target genes are potentially DSD-causative genes, yet only a limited subset of these genes has been investigated during testis development. We hypothesize that SOX9 target genes play an integral role in testis development and could potentially be causative genes in DSD. In this study, we describe a novel testicular target gene of SOX9, Trpc3. Trpc3 exhibits high expression levels in the SOX9-expressing male Sertoli cells compared to female granulosa cells in mouse fetal gonads between embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) and E13.5. In XY Sox9 knockout gonads, Trpc3 expression is markedly downregulated. Moreover, culture of E11.5 XY mouse gonads with TRPC3 inhibitor Pyr3 resulted in decreased germ cell numbers caused by reduced germ cell proliferation. Trpc3 is also expressed in endothelial cells and Pyr3-treated E11.5 XY mouse gonads showed a loss of the coelomic blood vessel due to increased apoptosis of endothelial cells. In the human testicular cell line NT2/D1, TRPC3 promotes cell proliferation and controls cell morphology, as observed by xCELLigence and HoloMonitor real-time analysis. In summary, our study suggests that SOX9 positively regulates Trpc3 in mouse testes and TRPC3 may mediate SOX9 function during Sertoli, germ and endothelial cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Ming
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stefan Bagheri-Fam
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Emily R. Frost
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Janelle M. Ryan
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Vincent R. Harley
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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16
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Hirata Y, Mizushima S, Mitsukawa S, Kon M, Kuroki Y, Jogahara T, Shinohara N, Kuroiwa A. Identification of a New Enhancer That Promotes Sox9 Expression by a Comparative Analysis of Mouse and Sry-Deficient Amami Spiny Rat. Cytogenet Genome Res 2024; 163:307-316. [PMID: 38246151 DOI: 10.1159/000536408] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Testis differentiation is initiated by the SRY gene on the Y chromosome in mammalian species. However, the Amami spiny rat, Tokudaia osimensis, lacks both the Y chromosome and the Sry gene and acquired a unique Sox9 regulatory mechanism via a male-specific duplication upstream of Sox9, without Sry. In general mammalian species, the SRY protein binds to a testis-specific enhancer to promote SOX9 gene expression. Several enhancers located upstream of Sox9/SOX9 have been reported in mice and humans. In particular, the binding of SRY to the highly conserved enhancer Enh13 is thought to be a common mechanism underlying testis differentiation and sex determination in mammals. METHODS Sequences of T. osimensis homologues of three Sox9 enhancers that were previously reported in mice, Enh8, Enh14, and Enh13, were determined. We performed in vitro assays to confirm enhancer activity involved in Sox9 regulation in T. osimensis. RESULTS T. osimensis Enh13 showed enhancer activity when co-transfected with NR5A1 and SOX9. Mouse Enh13 was activated by NR5A1 and SRY; however, T. osimensis Enh13 did not respond to SRY, even though the binding sites of SRY and NR5A1 were conserved. To identify the key sequence that is present in mouse but absent from T. osimensis, we performed reporter gene assays using vectors in which partial sequences of T. osimensis Enh13 were replaced with mouse sequences. For T. osimensis Enh13 in which the second half (approximately 430 bp) was replaced with the corresponding mouse sequence, activity in response to NR5A1 and SRY was recovered. Further, reporter assays revealed that multiple regions in the second half of the mouse Enh13 sequence are required for the response to NR5A1 and SRY. The latter 49 bp was particularly important and contained four binding sites for three transcription factors, POU2F1, HOXA3, and GATA1. CONCLUSION We showed that there are unknown sequences responsible for the interaction between NR5A1 and SRY and mEnh13 based on comparative analyses of Sry-dependent and Sry-independent species. Our comparative analyses revealed new molecular mechanisms underlying mammalian sex determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurie Hirata
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shusei Mizushima
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shoichiro Mitsukawa
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masafumi Kon
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoko Kuroki
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Collaborative Research, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Diversity Research, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takamichi Jogahara
- Faculty of Law, Economics and Management, Okinawa University, Naha, Japan
| | - Nobuo Shinohara
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Asato Kuroiwa
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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17
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Stévant I, Gonen N, Poulat F. Transposable elements acquire time- and sex-specific transcriptional and epigenetic signatures along mouse fetal gonad development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1327410. [PMID: 38283992 PMCID: PMC10811072 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1327410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Gonadal sex determination in mice is a complex and dynamic process, which is crucial for the development of functional reproductive organs. The expression of genes involved in this process is regulated by a variety of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Recently, there has been increasing evidence that transposable elements (TEs), which are a class of mobile genetic elements, play a significant role in regulating gene expression during embryogenesis and organ development. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of TEs in the regulation of gene expression during mouse embryonic gonadal development. Through bioinformatics analysis, we aimed to identify and characterize specific TEs that operate as regulatory elements for sex-specific genes, as well as their potential mechanisms of regulation. We identified TE loci expressed in a time- and sex-specific manner along fetal gonad development that correlate positively and negatively with nearby gene expression, suggesting that their expression is integrated to the gonadal regulatory network. Moreover, chromatin accessibility and histone post-transcriptional modification analyses in differentiating supporting cells revealed that TEs are acquiring a sex-specific signature for promoter-, enhancer-, and silencer-like elements, with some of them being proximal to critical sex-determining genes. Altogether, our study introduces TEs as the new potential players in the gene regulatory network that controls gonadal development in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Stévant
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Nitzan Gonen
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Francis Poulat
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Wei X, Li S, He Y. NR5A1-related 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis: A case report and literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36725. [PMID: 38206718 PMCID: PMC10754607 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036725] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) include a diverse group of congenital conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is discordant. It involves several variant genes, and one of them is NR5A1. NR5A1 encodes a signal transduction regulator in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathway, and pathogenic mutation in this gene is a cause of 46,XY DSD. PATIENT CONCERNS A 12-year-old individual raised as a girl was admitted to the hospital due to hirsutism and a deep voice that began at 11 years old. The individual exhibited testicular hypoplasia, clitoral hypertrophy, and female external genitalia. DIAGNOSES The patient was diagnosed 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis. The cytogenetics revealed a 46,XY karyotype and DNA sequencing shown a variant in NR5A1. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed absence of uterus and ovaries. The abdominopelvic ultrasound revealed bilateral testicle in bilateral groin. Pathology confirmed testes dysgenesis. INTERVENTIONS The patient underwent bilateral orchiectomy at age 12 years and was given a feminizing hormonal treatment of 0.5 mg/day of estradiol valerate tablets. OUTCOMES The patient recovered well after surgery and hormonal treatment and had a regression in hirsutism and clitoromegaly. LESSONS 46,XY DSD is a rare disease that the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is discordant, when diagnosed 46,XY DSD, the identification of an NR5A1 variant should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianzhen Wei
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Guangxi Department of Education, Nanning city, Guangxi, China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Guangxi Department of Education, Nanning city, Guangxi, China
| | - Yu He
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Guangxi Department of Education, Nanning city, Guangxi, China
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Souali-Crespo S, Condrea D, Vernet N, Féret B, Klopfenstein M, Grandgirard E, Alunni V, Cerciat M, Jung M, Mayere C, Nef S, Mark M, Chalmel F, Ghyselinck NB. Loss of NR5A1 in mouse Sertoli cells after sex determination changes cellular identity and induces cell death by anoikis. Development 2023; 150:dev201710. [PMID: 38078651 PMCID: PMC10753587 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201710] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the role of the nuclear receptor NR5A1 in the testis after sex determination, we analyzed mice lacking NR5A1 in Sertoli cells (SCs) from embryonic day (E) 13.5 onwards. Ablation of Nr5a1 impaired the expression of genes characteristic of SC identity (e.g. Sox9 and Amh), caused SC death from E14.5 onwards through a Trp53-independent mechanism related to anoikis, and induced disorganization of the testis cords. Together, these effects caused germ cells to enter meiosis and die. Single-cell RNA-sequencing experiments revealed that NR5A1-deficient SCs changed their molecular identity: some acquired a 'pre-granulosa-like' cell identity, whereas other reverted to a 'supporting progenitor-like' cell identity, most of them being 'intersex' because they expressed both testicular and ovarian genes. Fetal Leydig cells (LCs) did not display significant changes, indicating that SCs are not required beyond E14.5 for their emergence or maintenance. In contrast, adult LCs were absent from postnatal testes. In addition, adult mutant males displayed persistence of Müllerian duct derivatives, decreased anogenital distance and reduced penis length, which could be explained by the loss of AMH and testosterone synthesis due to SC failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirine Souali-Crespo
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Diana Condrea
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Nadège Vernet
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Betty Féret
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Muriel Klopfenstein
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Erwan Grandgirard
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
- Imaging Center, IGBMC, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Violaine Alunni
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
- GenomEast Platform, France Génomique consortium, IGBMC, 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Marie Cerciat
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
- GenomEast Platform, France Génomique consortium, IGBMC, 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Matthieu Jung
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
- GenomEast Platform, France Génomique consortium, IGBMC, 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Chloé Mayere
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Mark
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg (HUS), F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Frédéric Chalmel
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Norbert B. Ghyselinck
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
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20
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Stojceski F, Buetti-Dinh A, Stoddart MJ, Danani A, Della Bella E, Grasso G. Influence of dexamethasone on the interaction between glucocorticoid receptor and SOX9: A molecular dynamics study. J Mol Graph Model 2023; 125:108587. [PMID: 37579519 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a nuclear receptor that controls critical biological processes by regulating the transcription of specific genes. GR transcriptional activity is modulated by a series of ligands and coenzymes, where a ligand can act as an agonist or antagonist. GR agonists, such as the glucocorticoids dexamethasone (DEX) and prednisolone, are widely prescribed to patients with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. DEX is also used to induce osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Recently, it has been highlighted that DEX induces changes in the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells by downregulating the transcription factor SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) and upregulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARG). SOX9 is fundamental in the control of chondrogenesis, but also in osteogenesis by acting as a dominant-negative of RUNX2. Many processes remain to be clarified during cell fate determination, such as the interplay between the key transcription factors. The main objective pursued by this work is to shed light on the interaction between GR and SOX9 in the presence and absence of DEX at an atomic level of resolution using molecular dynamics simulations. The outcome of this research could help the understanding of possible molecular interactions between GR and SOX9 and their role in the determination of cell fate. The results highlight the key residues at the interface between GR and SOX9 involved in the complexation process and shed light on the mechanism through which DEX modulates GR-SOX9 binding and exerts its biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Stojceski
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence USI-SUPSI Polo universitario Lugano - Campus Est, Via la Santa 1, 6962, Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Buetti-Dinh
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence USI-SUPSI Polo universitario Lugano - Campus Est, Via la Santa 1, 6962, Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland
| | - Martin J Stoddart
- AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270, Davos Platz, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Danani
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence USI-SUPSI Polo universitario Lugano - Campus Est, Via la Santa 1, 6962, Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland
| | - Elena Della Bella
- AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270, Davos Platz, Switzerland.
| | - Gianvito Grasso
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence USI-SUPSI Polo universitario Lugano - Campus Est, Via la Santa 1, 6962, Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland.
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21
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Yu Y, Chen M, Shen ZG. Molecular biological, physiological, cytological, and epigenetic mechanisms of environmental sex differentiation in teleosts: A systematic review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 267:115654. [PMID: 37918334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115654] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Human activities have been exerting widespread stress and environmental risks in aquatic ecosystems. Environmental stress, including temperature rise, acidification, hypoxia, light pollution, and crowding, had a considerable negative impact on the life histology of aquatic animals, especially on sex differentiation (SDi) and the resulting sex ratios. Understanding how the sex of fish responds to stressful environments is of great importance for understanding the origin and maintenance of sex, the dynamics of the natural population in the changing world, and the precise application of sex control in aquaculture. This review conducted an exhaustive search of the available literature on the influence of environmental stress (ES) on SDi. Evidence has shown that all types of ES can affect SDi and universally result in an increase in males or masculinization, which has been reported in 100 fish species and 121 cases. Then, this comprehensive review aimed to summarize the molecular biology, physiology, cytology, and epigenetic mechanisms through which ES contributes to male development or masculinization. The relationship between ES and fish SDi from multiple aspects was analyzed, and it was found that environmental sex differentiation (ESDi) is the result of the combined effects of genetic and epigenetic factors, self-physiological regulation, and response to environmental signals, which involves a sophisticated network of various hormones and numerous genes at multiple levels and multiple gradations in bipotential gonads. In both normal male differentiation and ES-induced masculinization, the stress pathway and epigenetic regulation play important roles; however, how they co-regulate SDi is unclear. Evidence suggests that the universal emergence or increase in males in aquatic animals is an adaptation to moderate ES. ES-induced sex reversal should be fully investigated in more fish species and extensively in the wild. The potential aquaculture applications and difficulties associated with ESDi have also been addressed. Finally, the knowledge gaps in the ESDi are presented, which will guide the priorities of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yu
- College of Fisheries, Engineering Research Center of Green development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Min Chen
- College of Fisheries, Engineering Research Center of Green development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Zhi-Gang Shen
- College of Fisheries, Engineering Research Center of Green development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China.
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22
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Hou M, Wang Q, Zhang J, Zhao R, Cao Y, Yu S, Wang K, Chen Y, Ma Z, Sun X, Zhang Y, Li J. Differential Expression of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs between Ovaries and Testes in Common Carp ( Cyprinus carpio). Cells 2023; 12:2631. [PMID: 37998366 PMCID: PMC10670750 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Female common carp grow faster than male individuals, implying that rearing females could be more profitable in aquaculture. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) serve as versatile regulators with multiple functions in diverse biological processes. However, the roles of ncRNAs in the sex differentiation of common carp are less studied. In this study, we investigated the expression profiles of ncRNAs, including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, in the gonads to comprehend the roles of ncRNAs in sex differentiation in common carp. A substantial number of differentially expressed (DE) ncRNAs in ovaries and testes were identified. Some miRNAs, notably miR-205, miR-214, and miR-460-5p, might modulate hormone synthesis and thus maintain sex. A novel miRNA, novel_158, was predicted to suppress the expression of foxl3. DE lncRNAs were associated with oocyte meiosis, GnRH signaling pathways, and steroid biosynthesis, while DE circRNA target genes were enriched in the WNT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. We also analyzed ncRNA-mRNA interactions to shed light on the crosstalk between competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), which is the critical mechanism by which lncRNAs and circRNAs function. Some lncRNAs and circRNAs may be able to competitively bind novel_313, a new miRNA, and thus regulate hsd17β3. Our research will provide a valuable resource for understanding the genetic basis of gonadal differentiation and development in common carp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxi Hou
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Qi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Ran Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yiming Cao
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Shuangting Yu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Kaikuo Wang
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (K.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.M.)
| | - Yingjie Chen
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (K.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.M.)
| | - Ziyao Ma
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (K.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.M.)
| | - Xiaoqing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jiongtang Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
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Delli Paoli E, Di Chiano S, Paoli D, Lenzi A, Lombardo F, Pallotti F. Androgen insensitivity syndrome: a review. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:2237-2245. [PMID: 37300628 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02127-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a disorder characterized by peripheral androgen resistance due to androgen receptor mutations in subjects with 46 XY karyotype. The severity of hormone resistance (complete, partial or mild) determines the wide spectrum of phenotypes. METHODS We performed a literature review on Pubmed focusing on etiopathogenesis, molecular alterations, and diagnostic-therapeutic management. RESULTS AIS is determined by a large variety of X-linked mutations that account for the wide phenotypic spectrum of subjects; it represents one of the most frequent disorders of sexual development (DSD). Clinical suspicion can arise at birth in partial AIS, due to the presence of variable degrees of ambiguity of the external genitalia, and at pubertal age in complete AIS, due to the development of female secondary sex characteristics, primary amenorrhea, and absence of female primary sex characteristics (uterus and ovaries). Laboratory tests showing elevated LH and testosterone levels despite mild or absent virilization may be helpful, but diagnosis can be achieved only after genetic testing (karyotype examination and androgen receptor sequencing). The clinical phenotype and especially the decision on sex assignment of the patient, if the diagnosis is made at birth or in the neonatal period, will guide the following medical, surgical and psychological management. CONCLUSIONS For the management of AIS, a multidisciplinary team consisting of physicians, surgeons, and psychologists is highly recommended to support the patient and his/her family on gender identity choices and subsequent appropriate therapeutic decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Delli Paoli
- Laboratory of Seminology‑Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - S Di Chiano
- Laboratory of Seminology‑Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - D Paoli
- Laboratory of Seminology‑Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Laboratory of Seminology‑Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - F Lombardo
- Laboratory of Seminology‑Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - F Pallotti
- Laboratory of Seminology‑Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna "Kore", Contrada Santa Panasia, 94100, Enna, Italy.
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24
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Hala D. The use of in silico extreme pathway (ExPa) analysis to identify conserved reproductive transcriptional-regulatory networks in humans, mice, and zebrafish. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2023; 69:271-287. [PMID: 37023256 PMCID: PMC10461611 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2023.2188996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate sex determination and differentiation are coordinated by the activations and maintenance of reproductive transcriptional-regulatory networks (TRNs). There is considerable interest in studying the conserved design principles and functions of reproductive TRNs given that their intricate regulation is susceptible to disruption by gene mutations or exposures to exogenous endocrine disrupting chemicals (or EDCs). In this manuscript, the Boolean rules describing reproductive TRNs in humans, mice, and zebrafish, were represented as a pseudo-stoichiometric matrix model. This model mathematically described the interactions of 35 transcription factors with 21 sex determination and differentiation genes across the three species. The in silico approach of Extreme Pathway (ExPa) analysis was used to predict the extent of TRN gene activations subject to the species-specific transcriptomics data, from across various developmental life-stages. A goal of this work was to identify conserved and functional reproductive TRNs across the three species. ExPa analyses predicted the sex differentiation genes, DHH, DMRT1, and AR, to be highly active in male humans, mice, and zebrafish. Whereas FOXL2 was the most active gene in female humans and mice; and CYP19A1A in female zebrafish. These results agree with the expectation that regardless of a lack of sex determination genes in zebrafish, the TRNs responsible for canalizing male vs. female sexual differentiation are conserved with mammalian taxa. ExPa analysis therefore provides a framework with which to study the TRNs that influence the development of sexual phenotypes. And the in silico predicted conservation of sex differentiation TRNs between mammals and zebrafish identifies the piscine species as an effective in vivo model to study mammalian reproductive systems under normal or perturbed pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hala
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, TX, USA
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25
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Geng S, Hamaji T, Ferris PJ, Gao M, Nishimura Y, Umen J. A conserved RWP-RK transcription factor VSR1 controls gametic differentiation in volvocine algae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305099120. [PMID: 37436957 PMCID: PMC10629530 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305099120] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Volvocine green algae are a model for understanding the evolution of mating types and sexes. They are facultatively sexual, with gametic differentiation occurring in response to nitrogen starvation (-N) in most genera and to sex inducer hormone in Volvox. The conserved RWP-RK family transcription factor (TF) MID is encoded by the minus mating-type locus or male sex-determining region of heterothallic volvocine species and dominantly determines minus or male gametic differentiation. However, the factor(s) responsible for establishing the default plus or female differentiation programs have remained elusive. We performed a phylo-transcriptomic screen for autosomal RWP-RK TFs induced during gametogenesis in unicellular isogamous Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlamydomonas) and in multicellular oogamous Volvox carteri (Volvox) and identified a single conserved ortho-group we named Volvocine Sex Regulator 1 (VSR1). Chlamydomonas vsr1 mutants of either mating type failed to mate and could not induce expression of key mating-type-specific genes. Similarly, Volvox vsr1 mutants in either sex could initiate sexual embryogenesis, but the presumptive eggs or androgonidia (sperm packet precursors) were infertile and unable to express key sex-specific genes. Yeast two-hybrid assays identified a conserved domain in VSR1 capable of self-interaction or interaction with the conserved N terminal domain of MID. In vivo coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated association of VSR1 and MID in both Chlamydomonas and Volvox. These data support a new model for volvocine sexual differentiation where VSR1 homodimers activate expression of plus/female gamete-specific-genes, but when MID is present, MID-VSR1 heterodimers are preferentially formed and activate minus/male gamete-specific-genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sa Geng
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO63132
| | - Takashi Hamaji
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO63132
- Department of Botany, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8502, Japan
- Research and Development Initiative, Chuo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo112-8551, Japan
| | | | - Minglu Gao
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO63132
| | - Yoshiki Nishimura
- Department of Botany, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8502, Japan
| | - James Umen
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO63132
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26
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Yao HHC, Rodriguez KF. From Enrico Sertoli to freemartinism: the many phases of the master testis-determining cell†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:866-870. [PMID: 36951956 PMCID: PMC10266947 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad037] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells, first identified in the adult testis by Enrico Sertoli in the mid-nineteenth century, are known for their role in fostering male germ cell differentiation and production of mature sperm. It was not until the late twentieth century with the discovery of the testis-determining gene SRY that Sertoli cells' new function as the master regulator of testis formation and maleness was unveiled. Fetal Sertoli cells facilitate the establishment of seminiferous cords, induce appearance of androgen-producing Leydig cells, and cause regression of the female reproductive tracts. Originally thought be a terminally differentiated cell type, adult Sertoli cells, at least in the mouse, retain their plasticity and ability to transdifferentiate into the ovarian counterpart, granulosa cells. In this review, we capture the many phases of Sertoli cell differentiation from their fate specification in fetal life to fate maintenance in adulthood. We also introduce the discovery of a new phase of fetal Sertoli cell differentiation via autocrine/paracrine factors with the freemartin characteristics. There remains much to learn about this intriguing cell type that lay the foundation for the maleness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humphrey Hung-Chang Yao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Karina F Rodriguez
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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27
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Wang L, Liu Z, Zhao S, Xu K, Aceves V, Qiu C, Troutwine B, Liu L, Ma S, Niu Y, Wang S, Yuan S, Li X, Zhao L, Liu X, Wu Z, Zhang TJ, Gray RS, Wu N. Variants in the SOX9 transactivation middle domain induce axial skeleton dysplasia and scoliosis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.29.23290174. [PMID: 37398377 PMCID: PMC10312849 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.29.23290174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
SOX9 is an essential transcriptional regulator of cartilage development and homeostasis. In humans, dysregulation of SOX9 is associated with a wide spectrum of skeletal disorders, including campomelic and acampomelic dysplasia, and scoliosis. The mechanism of how SOX9 variants contribute to the spectrum of axial skeletal disorders is not well understood. Here, we report four novel pathogenic variants of SOX9 identified in a large cohort of patients with congenital vertebral malformations. Three of these heterozygous variants are in the HMG and DIM domains, and for the first time, we report a pathogenic variant within the transactivation middle (TAM) domain of SOX9 . Probands with these variants exhibit variable skeletal dysplasia, ranging from isolated vertebral malformation to acampomelic dysplasia. We also generated a Sox9 hypomorphic mutant mouse model bearing a microdeletion within the TAM domain ( Sox9 Asp272del ). We demonstrated that disturbance of the TAM domain with missense mutation or microdeletion results in reduced protein stability but does not affect the transcriptional activity of SOX9. Homozygous Sox9 Asp272del mice exhibited axial skeletal dysplasia including kinked tails, ribcage anomalies, and scoliosis, recapitulating phenotypes observed in human, while heterozygous mutants display a milder phenotype. Analysis of primary chondrocytes and the intervertebral discs in Sox9 Asp272del mutant mice revealed dysregulation of a panel of genes with major contributions of the extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, and ossification-related processes. In summary, our work identified the first pathologic variant of SOX9 within the TAM domain and demonstrated that this variant is associated with reduced SOX9 protein stability. Our finding suggests that reduced SOX9 stability caused by variants in the TAM domain may be responsible for the milder forms of axial skeleton dysplasia in humans.
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28
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Diawara M, Arsenault A, Charette SA, Martin LJ. The transcription factors Creb1 and Cebpb regulate Sox9 promoter activity in TM4 Sertoli cells. Gene 2023; 873:147477. [PMID: 37172798 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In Sertoli cells, the Sox9 gene is essential for testicular development and normal spermatogenesis. SOX9 is critical for postnatal Sertoli cells differentiation and proliferation in the testis. However, the molecular mechanisms that specifically regulate its expression are not entirely understood. Sox9 expression is regulated by CREB1 and CEBPB in other biological contexts such as during chondrogenesis and in rat thyroid follicular cells. We hypothesized that Sox9 promoter activity is regulated by CREB1 and CEBPB in Sertoli cells. Our results show that Sox9 expression is dependent on the activation of these transcription factors by the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in TM4 Sertoli cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and promoter/reporter luciferase assays with 5' promoter deletions and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that CREB1 is being recruited to a DNA regulatory element at -141 bp of the Sox9 promoter region. Such regulation is dependent on the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, resulting in phosphorylation of CREB1. Activation of Sox9 expression by CEBPB may involve its recruitment to the proximal promoter region by protein-protein interaction with CREB1. Thus, we have shown that the Sox9 promoter is being regulated by the transcription factors CREB1 and CEBPB in TM4 Sertoli cells and involve their recruitment to the proximal promoter region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariama Diawara
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New-Brunswick E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Aurélie Arsenault
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New-Brunswick E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Sabrina Ayoub Charette
- Department of Nutritional Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, M5S 1A8; Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials Unit, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2T2, Canada
| | - Luc J Martin
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New-Brunswick E1A 3E9, Canada.
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Suen HC, Rao S, Luk ACS, Zhang R, Yang L, Qi H, So HC, Hobbs RM, Lee TL, Liao J. The single-cell chromatin accessibility landscape in mouse perinatal testis development. eLife 2023; 12:e75624. [PMID: 37096870 PMCID: PMC10174692 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75624] [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: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis depends on an orchestrated series of developing events in germ cells and full maturation of the somatic microenvironment. To date, the majority of efforts to study cellular heterogeneity in testis has been focused on single-cell gene expression rather than the chromatin landscape shaping gene expression. To advance our understanding of the regulatory programs underlying testicular cell types, we analyzed single-cell chromatin accessibility profiles in more than 25,000 cells from mouse developing testis. We showed that single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (scATAC-Seq) allowed us to deconvolve distinct cell populations and identify cis-regulatory elements (CREs) underlying cell-type specification. We identified sets of transcription factors associated with cell type-specific accessibility, revealing novel regulators of cell fate specification and maintenance. Pseudotime reconstruction revealed detailed regulatory dynamics coordinating the sequential developmental progressions of germ cells and somatic cells. This high-resolution dataset also unveiled previously unreported subpopulations within both the Sertoli and Leydig cell groups. Further, we defined candidate target cell types and genes of several genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals, including those associated with testosterone levels and coronary artery disease. Collectively, our data provide a blueprint of the 'regulon' of the mouse male germline and supporting somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Ching Suen
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Shitao Rao
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical UniversityFujianChina
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Alfred Chun Shui Luk
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Ruoyu Zhang
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Lele Yang
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and HealthGuangzhouChina
| | - Huayu Qi
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and HealthGuangzhouChina
| | - Hon Cheong So
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Germline Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneAustralia
| | - Tin-lap Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Jinyue Liao
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New TerritoriesHong KongChina
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30
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Hattori A, Fukami M. Nuclear Receptor Gene Variants Underlying Disorders/Differences of Sex Development through Abnormal Testicular Development. Biomolecules 2023; 13:691. [PMID: 37189438 PMCID: PMC10135730 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonadal development is the first step in human reproduction. Aberrant gonadal development during the fetal period is a major cause of disorders/differences of sex development (DSD). To date, pathogenic variants of three nuclear receptor genes (NR5A1, NR0B1, and NR2F2) have been reported to cause DSD via atypical testicular development. In this review article, we describe the clinical significance of the NR5A1 variants as the cause of DSD and introduce novel findings from recent studies. NR5A1 variants are associated with 46,XY DSD and 46,XX testicular/ovotesticular DSD. Notably, both 46,XX DSD and 46,XY DSD caused by the NR5A1 variants show remarkable phenotypic variability, to which digenic/oligogenic inheritances potentially contribute. Additionally, we discuss the roles of NR0B1 and NR2F2 in the etiology of DSD. NR0B1 acts as an anti-testicular gene. Duplications containing NR0B1 result in 46,XY DSD, whereas deletions encompassing NR0B1 can underlie 46,XX testicular/ovotesticular DSD. NR2F2 has recently been reported as a causative gene for 46,XX testicular/ovotesticular DSD and possibly for 46,XY DSD, although the role of NR2F2 in gonadal development is unclear. The knowledge about these three nuclear receptors provides novel insights into the molecular networks involved in the gonadal development in human fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Hattori
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan;
- Division of Diversity Research, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Maki Fukami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan;
- Division of Diversity Research, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
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Zhang D, Wang D, Tong Y, Li M, Meng L, Song Q, Xin Y. A novel c.64G > T (p.G22C) NR5A1 variant in a Chinese adolescent with 46,XY disorders of sex development: a case report. BMC Pediatr 2023; 23:182. [PMID: 37072715 PMCID: PMC10114376 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-03974-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) face additional medical and psychological challenges. To optimize management and minimize hazards, correct and early clinical and molecular diagnosis is necessary. CASE PRESENTATION We report a 13-year-old Chinese adolescent with absent Müllerian derivatives and suspected testis in the inguinal area. History, examinations, and assistant examinations were available for clinical diagnosis of 46,XY DSD. The subsequent targeting specific disease-causing genes, comprising 360 endocrine disease-causing genes, was employed for molecular diagnosis. A novel variation in nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1) [c.64G > T (p.G22C)] was identified in the patient. In vitro functional analyses of the novel variant suggested no impairment to NR5A1 mRNA or protein expression relative to wild-type, and immunofluorescence confirmed similar localization of NR5A1 mutant to the cell nucleus. However, we observed decreased DNA-binding affinity by the NR5A1 variant, while dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that the mutant effectively downregulated the transactivation capacity of anti-Müllerian hormone. We described a novel NR5A1 variant and demonstrated its adverse effects on the functional integrity of the NR5A1 protein resulting in serious impairment of its modulation of gonadal development. CONCLUSIONS This study adds one novel NR5A1 variant to the pool of pathogenic variants and enriches the adolescents of information available about the mutation spectrum of this gene in Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Dajia Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajie Tong
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyu Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingzhe Meng
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiutong Song
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Xin
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, People's Republic of China.
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32
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Xu Y, Xu M, Li X, Weng X, Su Z, Zhang M, Tan J, Zeng H, Li X, Nie L, Gong J, Chen N, Chen X, Zhou Q. SOX9 and HMGB3 co-operatively transactivate NANOG and promote prostate cancer progression. Prostate 2023; 83:440-453. [PMID: 36541373 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24476] [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: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The homeodomain-containing transcription factor NANOG is overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa) and predicts poor prognosis. The SOX family transcription factor SOX9, as well as the transcription co-activator HMGB3 of the HMGB family, are also overexpressed and may play pivotal roles in PCa. However, it is unknown whether SOX9 and HMGB3 interact with each other, or if they regulate NANOG gene transcription. METHODS We identified potential SOX9 responsive elements in NANOG promoter, and investigated if SOX9 regulated NANOG transcription in co-operation with HMGB3 by experimental analysis of potential SOX9 binding sites in NANOG promoter, reporter gene transcription assays with or without interference or artificial overexpression of SOX9 and/or HMGB3, and protein-binding assays of SOX9-HMGB3 interaction. Clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of SOX9-HMGB3 overexpression in PCa was analyzed. RESULTS SOX9 activated NANOG gene transcription by preferentially binding to a highly conserved consensus cis-regulatory element (-573 to -568) in NANOG promoter, and promoted the expression of NANOG downstream oncogenic genes. Importantly, HMGB3 functioned as a partner of SOX9 to co-operatively enhance transactivation of NANOG by interacting with SOX9, predominantly via the HMG Box A domain of HMGB3. Overexpression of SOX9 and/or HMGB3 enhanced PCa cell survival and cell migration and were significantly associated with PCa progression. Notably, Cox proportional regression analysis showed that co-overexpression of both SOX9 and HMGB3 was an independent unfavorable prognosticator for both CRPC-free survival (relative risk [RR] = 3.779,95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.159-12.322, p = 0.028) and overall survival (RR = 3.615,95% CI: 1.101-11.876, p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS These findings showed a novel SOX9/HMGB3/NANOG regulatory mechanism, deregulation of which played important roles in PCa progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyi Xu
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Miao Xu
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinglan Li
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Weng
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengzheng Su
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengni Zhang
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junya Tan
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hao Zeng
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Nie
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Gong
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ni Chen
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xueqin Chen
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiao Zhou
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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33
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Bird AD, Frost ER, Bagheri-Fam S, Croft BM, Ryan JM, Zhao L, Koopman P, Harley VR. Somatic FGFR2 is Required for Germ Cell Maintenance in the Mouse Ovary. Endocrinology 2023; 164:7036407. [PMID: 36786658 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad031] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
During sex determination in the mouse, fibroblast growth factor 9 signals through the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2c isoform (FGFR2c) to trigger Sertoli cell and testis development from 11.5 days post coitum (dpc). In the XX gonad, the FOXL2 and WNT4/RSPO1 pathways drive granulosa cell and ovarian development. The function of FGFR2 in the developing ovary, and whether FGFR2 is required in the testis after sex determination, is not clear. In fetal mouse gonads from 12.5 dpc, FGFR2 shows sexually dimorphic expression. In XX gonads, FGFR2c is coexpressed with FOXL2 in pregranulosa cells, whereas XY gonads show FGFR2b expression in germ cells. Deletion of Fgfr2c in XX mice led to a marked decrease/absence of germ cells by 13.5 dpc in the ovary. This indicates that FGFR2c in the somatic pregranulosa cells is required for the maintenance of germ cells. Surprisingly, on the Fgfr2c-/- background, the germ cell phenotype could be rescued by ablation of Foxl2, suggesting a novel mechanism whereby FGFR2 and FOXL2 act antagonistically during germ cell development. Consistent with low/absent FGFR2 expression in the Sertoli cells of 12.5 and 13.5 dpc XY gonads, XY AMH:Cre; Fgfr2flox/flox mice showed normal testis morphology and structures during fetal development and in adulthood. Thus, FGFR2 is not essential for maintaining Sertoli cell fate after sex determination. Combined, these data show that FGFR2 is not necessary for Sertoli cell function after sex determination but does play an important role in the ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony D Bird
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Australia
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
| | - Emily R Frost
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Stefan Bagheri-Fam
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Brittany M Croft
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Janelle M Ryan
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Vincent R Harley
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
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34
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Models of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia for Gene Therapies Testing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065365. [PMID: 36982440 PMCID: PMC10049562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The adrenal glands are important endocrine organs that play a major role in the stress response. Some adrenal glands abnormalities are treated with hormone replacement therapy, which does not address physiological requirements. Modern technologies make it possible to develop gene therapy drugs that can completely cure diseases caused by mutations in specific genes. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an example of such a potentially treatable monogenic disease. CAH is an autosomal recessive inherited disease with an overall incidence of 1:9500–1:20,000 newborns. To date, there are several promising drugs for CAH gene therapy. At the same time, it remains unclear how new approaches can be tested, as there are no models for this disease. The present review focuses on modern models for inherited adrenal gland insufficiency and their detailed characterization. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of various pathological models are discussed, and ways of further development are suggested.
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35
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Bunce C, Barske L, Zhang G, Capel B. Biased precursor ingression underlies the center-to-pole pattern of male sex determination in mouse. Development 2023; 150:297121. [PMID: 36912416 PMCID: PMC10112898 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
During mammalian development, gonadal sex determination results from the commitment of bipotential supporting cells to Sertoli or granulosa cell fates. Typically, this decision is coordinated across the gonad to ensure commitment to a single organ fate. When unified commitment fails in an XY mouse, an ovotestis forms in which supporting cells in the center of the gonad typically develop as Sertoli cells, while supporting cells in the poles develop as granulosa cells. This central bias for Sertoli cell fate was thought to result from the initial expression of the drivers of Sertoli cell fate, SRY and/or SOX9, in the central domain, followed by paracrine expansion to the poles. However, we show here that the earliest cells expressing SRY and SOX9 are widely distributed across the gonad. In addition, Sertoli cell fate does not spread among supporting cells through paracrine relay. Instead, we uncover a center-biased pattern of supporting cell precursor ingression that occurs in both sexes and results in increased supporting cell density in the central domain. Our findings prompt a new model of gonad patterning in which a density-dependent organizing principle dominates Sertoli cell fate stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey Bunce
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lindsey Barske
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Gloria Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Blanche Capel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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36
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Zhao L, Thomson E, Ng ET, Longmuss E, Svingen T, Bagheri-Fam S, Quinn A, Harley VR, Harrison LC, Pelosi E, Koopman P. Functional Analysis of Mmd2 and Related PAQR Genes During Sex Determination in Mice. Sex Dev 2023; 16:270-282. [PMID: 35306493 DOI: 10.1159/000522668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sex determination in eutherian mammals is controlled by the Y-linked gene Sry, which drives the formation of testes in male embryos. Despite extensive study, the genetic steps linking Sry action and male sex determination remain largely unknown. Here, we focused on Mmd2, a gene that encodes a member of the progestin and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) family. Mmd2 is expressed during the sex-determining period in XY but not XX gonads, suggesting a specific role in testis development. METHODS We used CRISPR to generate mouse strains deficient in Mmd2 and its 2 closely related PAQR family members, Mmd and Paqr8, which are also expressed during testis development. Following characterization of Mmd2 expression in the developing testis, we studied sex determination in embryos from single knockout as well as Mmd2;Mmd and Mmd2;Paqr8 double knockout lines using quantitative RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. RESULTS Analysis of knockout mice deficient in Sox9 and Nr5a1 revealed that Mmd2 operates downstream of these known sex-determining genes. However, fetal testis development progressed normally in Mmd2-null embryos. To determine if other genes might have compensated for the loss of Mmd2, we analyzed Paqr8 and Mmd-null embryos and confirmed that in both knockout lines, sex determination occurred normally. Finally, we generated Mmd2;Mmd and Mmd2;Paqr8 double-null embryos and again observed normal testis development. DISCUSSION These results may reflect functional redundancy among PAQR factors, or their dispensability in gonadal development. Our findings highlight the difficulties involved in identifying genes with a functional role in sex determination and gonadal development through expression screening and loss-of-function analyses of individual candidate genes and may help to explain the paucity of genes in which variations have been found to cause human disorders/differences of sex development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ella Thomson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ee T Ng
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Enya Longmuss
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Terje Svingen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Stefan Bagheri-Fam
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander Quinn
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Vincent R Harley
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leonard C Harrison
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emanuele Pelosi
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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37
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Sun C, Jin K, Zhou J, Zuo Q, Song J, Yani Z, Chen G, Li B. Role and function of the Hintw in early sex differentiation in chicken ( Gallus gallus) embryo. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:56-66. [PMID: 34153202 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2021.1935981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mono-Sex culturing is an important methodology for intensive livestock and poultry production. Here, Hintw was identified as a potential key gene in sex-determination process in chickens via RNA-seq. Then we developed an effective method to interfere or overexpress Hintw in chicken embryos through the intravascular injection. QRT-PCR, ELISA and H&E staining were used to detect the effects of Hintw on gonadal development of chicken embryos. Results showed that Hintw exhibited a female-biased expression pattern in the early stage of PGCs (primordial germ cells) in embryonic gonads. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that Foxl2, Cyp19a1 in females were upregulated under the overexpression of Hintw, while Sox9 and Dmrt1 were downregulated Hintw. Overexpression of Hintw can promote the development of gonadal cortex, while interference with Hintw show the opposite result. Additionally, we found that overexpression of the Hintw in male chicken embryos could inhibit androgen levels and increase estrogen levels. On the other hand, interfering with Hintw in female chicken embryos decreased estrogen levels and increased androgen levels. In conclusion, this work sets the basis for the understanding of the molecular regulatory network for the sex-determination process in chicken embryos as well as providing the theoretical basis for mono-sex culturing of poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhua Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Department of Food technology, College of Biochemical Engineering, Yangzhou Polytechnic College, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Kai Jin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qisheng Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jiuzhou Song
- Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Zhang Yani
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Guohong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Bichun Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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38
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Gonen N, Eozenou C, Mitter R, Elzaiat M, Stévant I, Aviram R, Bernardo AS, Chervova A, Wankanit S, Frachon E, Commère PH, Brailly-Tabard S, Valon L, Barrio Cano L, Levayer R, Mazen I, Gobaa S, Smith JC, McElreavey K, Lovell-Badge R, Bashamboo A. In vitro cellular reprogramming to model gonad development and its disorders. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eabn9793. [PMID: 36598988 PMCID: PMC9812383 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn9793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
During embryonic development, mutually antagonistic signaling cascades determine gonadal fate toward a testicular or ovarian identity. Errors in this process result in disorders of sex development (DSDs), characterized by discordance between chromosomal, gonadal, and anatomical sex. The absence of an appropriate, accessible in vitro system is a major obstacle in understanding mechanisms of sex-determination/DSDs. Here, we describe protocols for differentiation of mouse and human pluripotent cells toward gonadal progenitors. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that the in vitro-derived murine gonadal cells are equivalent to embryonic day 11.5 in vivo progenitors. Using similar conditions, Sertoli-like cells derived from 46,XY human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) exhibit sustained expression of testis-specific genes, secrete anti-Müllerian hormone, migrate, and form tubular structures. Cells derived from 46,XY DSD female hiPSCs, carrying an NR5A1 variant, show aberrant gene expression and absence of tubule formation. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated variant correction rescued the phenotype. This is a robust tool to understand mechanisms of sex determination and model DSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitzan Gonen
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Caroline Eozenou
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Human Developmental Genetics, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Richard Mitter
- Bioinformatics Core, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Maëva Elzaiat
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Human Developmental Genetics, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Stévant
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Rona Aviram
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Andreia Sofia Bernardo
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Almira Chervova
- Department of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75724, France
| | - Somboon Wankanit
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Human Developmental Genetics, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Frachon
- Biomaterials and Microfluidics Core Facility, Institut Pasteur, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Henri Commère
- Cytometry and Biomarkers, Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Brailly-Tabard
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Bicêtre Hospital, Molecular Genetics, Pharmacogenetics, and Hormonology, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Léo Valon
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Cell Death and Epithelial Homeostasis, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Laura Barrio Cano
- Cytometry and Biomarkers, Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Romain Levayer
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Cell Death and Epithelial Homeostasis, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Inas Mazen
- Genetics Department, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samy Gobaa
- Biomaterials and Microfluidics Core Facility, Institut Pasteur, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - James C. Smith
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Kenneth McElreavey
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Human Developmental Genetics, F-75015 Paris, France
| | | | - Anu Bashamboo
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Human Developmental Genetics, F-75015 Paris, France
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Ogawa Y, Terao M, Tsuji-Hosokawa A, Tsuchiya I, Hasegawa M, Takada S. SOX9 and SRY binding sites on mouse mXYSRa/Enh13 enhancer redundantly regulate Sox9 expression to varying degrees. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:55-64. [PMID: 35921234 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sox9 plays an essential role in mammalian testis formation. It has been reported that gene expression in the testes is regulated by enhancers. Among them, mXYSRa/Enh13-which is located at far upstream of the transcription start site-plays a critical role, wherein its deletion causes complete male-to-female sex reversal in mice. It has been proposed that the binding sites (BSs) of SOX9 and SRY, the latter of which is the sex determining gene on the Y chromosome, are associated with mXYSRa/Enh13. They function as an enhancer, whereby the sequences are evolutionarily conserved and in vivo binding of SOX9 and SRY to mXYSRa/Enh13 has been demonstrated previously. However, their precise in vivo functions have not been examined to date. To this end, this study generated mice with substitutions on the SOX9 and SRY BSs to reveal their in vivo functions. Homozygous mutants of SOX9 and SRY BS were indistinguishable from XY males, whereas double mutants had small testes, suggesting that these functions are redundant and that there is another functional sequence on mXYSRa/Enh13, since mXYSRa/Enh13 deletion mice are XY females. In addition, the majority of hemizygous mice with substitutions in SOX9 BS and SRY BS were female and male, respectively, suggesting that SOX9 BS contributes more to SRY BS for mXYSRa/Enh13 to function. The additive effect of SOX9 and SRY via these BSs was verified using an in vitro assay. In conclusion, SOX9 BS and SRY BS function redundantly in vivo, and at least one more functional sequence should exist in mXYSRa/Enh13.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Ogawa
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.,Department of NCCHD, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Miho Terao
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Atsumi Tsuji-Hosokawa
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Iku Tsuchiya
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.,Department of NCCHD, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Midori Hasegawa
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.,Department of NCCHD, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Shuji Takada
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.,Department of NCCHD, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
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40
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Role of mesonephric contribution to mouse testicular development revisited. Differentiation 2023; 129:109-119. [PMID: 35000816 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The role of the mesonephros in testicular development was re-evaluated by growing embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) mouse testes devoid of mesonephros for 8-21 days in vivo under the renal capsule of castrated male athymic nude mice. This method provides improved growth conditions relative to previous studies based upon short-term (4-7 days) organ culture. Meticulous controls involved wholemount examination of dissected E11.5 mouse testes as well as serial sections of dissected E11.5 mouse testes which were indeed shown to be devoid of mesonephros. As expected, grafts of E11.5 mouse testes with mesonephros attached formed seminiferous tubules and also contained mesonephric derivatives. Grafts of E11.5 mouse testes without associated mesonephros also formed seminiferous tubules and never contained mesonephric derivatives. The consistent absence of mesonephric derivatives in grafts of E11.5 mouse testes grafted alone is further proof of the complete removal of the mesonephros from the E11.5 mouse testes. The testicular tissues that developed in grafts of E11.5 mouse testes alone contained canalized seminiferous tubules composed of Sox9-positive Sertoli cells as well as GENA-positive germ cells. The seminiferous tubules were surrounded by α-actin-positive myoid cells, and the interstitial space contained 3βHSD-1-positive Leydig cells. Grafts of E11.5 GFP mouse testes into wild-type hosts developed GFP-positive vasculature indicating that E11.5 mouse testes contain vascular precursors. These results indicate that the E11.5 mouse testis contains precursor cells for Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, myoid cells and vasculature whose development and differentiation are independent of cells migrating from the E11.5 mesonephros.
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41
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Aksel S, Cao M, Derpinghaus A, Baskin LS, Cunha GR. Ontogeny of mouse Sertoli, Leydig and peritubular myoid cells from embryonic day 10 to adulthood. Differentiation 2023; 129:96-108. [PMID: 35317954 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
We present a comprehensive description of the differentiating somatic cell types (Sertoli, Leydig, and peritubular myoid cells) of the mouse testis from embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) to adulthood, postnatal day 60 (P60). Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze expression of: Sox9 (a Sertoli cell marker), 3βHSD-1 (a fetal Leydig cell marker), 3βHSD-6 (an adult Leydig cell marker), α-actin (a peritubular myoid cell marker), and androgen receptor (a marker of all three somatic cell types). The temporal-spatial expression of these markers was used to interrogate findings of earlier experimental studies on the origin of Sertoli, Leydig and peritubular myoid cells, as well as extend previous descriptive studies across a broader developmental period (E10.5-P60). Such comparisons demonstrate inconsistencies that require further examination and raise questions regarding conservation of developmental mechanisms across higher vertebrate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sena Aksel
- Department of Urology, University of California, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Mei Cao
- Department of Urology, University of California, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Amber Derpinghaus
- Department of Urology, University of California, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Laurence S Baskin
- Department of Urology, University of California, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Gerald R Cunha
- Department of Urology, University of California, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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42
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Francese-Santos AP, Meinel JA, Piveta CSC, Andrade JGR, Barros BA, Fabbri-Scallet H, Gil-da-Silva-Lopes VL, Guerra-Junior G, Künstner A, Busch H, Hiort O, de Mello MP, Werner R, Maciel-Guerra AT. A Novel Look at Dosage-Sensitive Sex Locus Xp21.2 in a Case of 46,XY Partial Gonadal Dysgenesis without NR0B1 Duplication. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010494. [PMID: 36613932 PMCID: PMC9820669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A region of 160 kb at Xp21.2 has been defined as dosage-sensitive sex reversal (DSS) and includes the NR0B1 gene, considered to be the candidate gene involved in XY gonadal dysgenesis if overexpressed. We describe a girl with 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis carrying a 297 kb duplication at Xp21.2 upstream of NR0B1 initially detected by chromosomal microarray analysis. Fine mapping of the breakpoints by whole-genome sequencing showed a tandem duplication of TASL (CXorf21), GK and partially TAB3, upstream of NR0B1. This is the first description of an Xp21.2 duplication upstream of NR0B1 associated with 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Francese-Santos
- Department of Translational Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Center, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-875, SP, Brazil
| | - Jakob A. Meinel
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Cristiane S. C. Piveta
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Center, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-875, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana G. R. Andrade
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz A. Barros
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
| | - Helena Fabbri-Scallet
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Center, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-875, SP, Brazil
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Gil Guerra-Junior
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
| | - Axel Künstner
- Group of Medical Systems Biology, Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hauke Busch
- Group of Medical Systems Biology, Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Olaf Hiort
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Maricilda P. de Mello
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Center, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-875, SP, Brazil
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
| | - Ralf Werner
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Andréa T. Maciel-Guerra
- Department of Translational Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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43
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Qin H, Wang J, Jia X, Zhi Y, Sun L, Zhang J, Wang J, Lu Y. Quantitative proteomics analysis of chicken embryos reveals key proteins that affect right gonadal degeneration in females. Proteomics 2022:e2200428. [PMID: 36574226 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In birds, embryonic gonads of females develop in a way different from mammals, with the left one develops into a functional ovary, while the right one degenerates during embryogenesis. Here, we examined the proteomics profiles of the female and male left and right gonads at embryonic day 6.5 (E6.5) with the label free tandem mass spectrometry proteomics technique. The relative protein abundance of the left and right gonads of female and male embryos was determined to identify their differential proteins. Overall, a total of 7726 proteins were identified, of which 79 and 54 proteins were significantly different in female and male right gonads compared with female left gonads and male left gonads respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the proteins DMRT1, ZFPM2, TSHZ3 were potentially associated with the degeneration of the right gonads in female embryos. The proteomics in this study provide clues for further elucidation of the pathways of sex determination, sex differentiation, and right gonadal degeneration in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haimei Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Medical and health key discipline construction project of the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Guangxi Baise, China
| | - Jingyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Zhang Jiagang Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station, Zhang Jiagang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Jia
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yifei Zhi
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Lingling Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiale Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Junli Wang
- Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Medical and health key discipline construction project of the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Guangxi Baise, China
| | - Yangqing Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
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44
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Ramakrishnan AB, Burby PE, Adiga K, Cadigan KM. SOX9 and TCF transcription factors associate to mediate Wnt/β-catenin target gene activation in colorectal cancer. J Biol Chem 2022; 299:102735. [PMID: 36423688 PMCID: PMC9771724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates gene expression by promoting the formation of a β-catenin-T-cell factor (TCF) complex on target enhancers. In addition to TCFs, other transcription factors interact with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway at different levels to produce tissue-specific patterns of Wnt target gene expression. The transcription factor SOX9 potently represses many Wnt target genes by downregulating β-catenin protein levels. Here, we find using colony formation and cell growth assays that SOX9 surprisingly promotes the proliferation of Wnt-driven colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. In contrast to how it indirectly represses Wnt targets, SOX9 directly co-occupies and activates multiple Wnt-responsive enhancers in CRC cells. Our examination of the binding site grammar of these enhancers shows the presence of TCF and SOX9 binding sites that are necessary for transcriptional activation. In addition, we identify a physical interaction between the DNA-binding domains of TCFs and SOX9 and show that TCF-SOX9 interactions are important for target gene regulation and CRC cell growth. Our work demonstrates a highly context-dependent effect of SOX9 on Wnt targets, with the presence or absence of SOX9-binding sites on Wnt-regulated enhancers determining whether they are directly activated or indirectly repressed by SOX9.
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45
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Imaimatsu K, Uchida A, Hiramatsu R, Kanai Y. Gonadal Sex Differentiation and Ovarian Organogenesis along the Cortical-Medullary Axis in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13373. [PMID: 36362161 PMCID: PMC9655463 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In most mammals, the sex of the gonads is based on the fate of the supporting cell lineages, which arises from the proliferation of coelomic epithelium (CE) that surfaces on the bipotential genital ridge in both XY and XX embryos. Recent genetic studies and single-cell transcriptome analyses in mice have revealed the cellular and molecular events in the two-wave proliferation of the CE that produce the supporting cells. This proliferation contributes to the formation of the primary sex cords in the medullary region of both the testis and the ovary at the early phase of gonadal sex differentiation, as well as to that of the secondary sex cords in the cortical region of the ovary at the perinatal stage. To support gametogenesis, the testis forms seminiferous tubules in the medullary region, whereas the ovary forms follicles mainly in the cortical region. The medullary region in the ovary exhibits morphological and functional diversity among mammalian species that ranges from ovary-like to testis-like characteristics. This review focuses on the mechanism of gonadal sex differentiation along the cortical-medullary axis and compares the features of the cortical and medullary regions of the ovary in mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Imaimatsu
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Aya Uchida
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
- RIKEN BioResouce Research Center, Tsukuba 305-0074, Japan
| | - Ryuji Hiramatsu
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
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46
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Chen M, Long X, Chen M, Hao F, Kang J, Wang N, Wang Y, Wang M, Gao Y, Zhou M, Duo L, Zhe X, He J, Ren B, Zhang Y, Liu B, Li J, Zhang Q, Yan L, Cui X, Wang Y, Gui Y, Wang H, Zhu L, Liu D, Guo F, Gao F. Integration of single-cell transcriptome and chromatin accessibility of early gonads development among goats, pigs, macaques, and humans. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111587. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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47
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Ming Z, Vining B, Bagheri-Fam S, Harley V. SOX9 in organogenesis: shared and unique transcriptional functions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:522. [PMID: 36114905 PMCID: PMC9482574 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04543-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor SOX9 is essential for the development of multiple organs including bone, testis, heart, lung, pancreas, intestine and nervous system. Mutations in the human SOX9 gene led to campomelic dysplasia, a haploinsufficiency disorder with several skeletal malformations frequently accompanied by 46, XY sex reversal. The mechanisms underlying the diverse SOX9 functions during organ development including its post-translational modifications, the availability of binding partners, and tissue-specific accessibility to target gene chromatin. Here we summarize the expression, activities, and downstream target genes of SOX9 in molecular genetic pathways essential for organ development, maintenance, and function. We also provide an insight into understanding the mechanisms that regulate the versatile roles of SOX9 in different organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Ming
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Brittany Vining
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Stefan Bagheri-Fam
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Vincent Harley
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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48
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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [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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49
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Sepponen K, Lundin K, Yohannes DA, Vuoristo S, Balboa D, Poutanen M, Ohlsson C, Hustad S, Bifulco E, Paloviita P, Otonkoski T, Ritvos O, Sainio K, Tapanainen JS, Tuuri T. Steroidogenic factor 1 (NR5A1) induces multiple transcriptional changes during differentiation of human gonadal-like cells. Differentiation 2022; 128:83-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Forero-Forero A, López-Ramírez S, Felix R, Hernández-Sánchez J, Tesoro-Cruz E, Orozco-Suárez S, Murbartián J, Soria-Castro E, Olivares A, Bekker-Méndez C, Paredes-Cervantes V, Oviedo N. Down Regulation of Catsper1 Expression by Calmodulin Inhibitor (Calmidazolium): Possible Implications for Fertility. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158070. [PMID: 35897646 PMCID: PMC9331981 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The CatSper channel localizes exclusively in the flagella of sperm cells. The Catsper1 protein, together with three pore units, is essential for the CatSper Channel formation, which produces flagellum hyperactivation and confers sperm fertility. Catsper1 expression is dependent on Sox transcription factors, which can recognize in vitro at least three Sox binding sites on the promoter. Sox transcription factors have calmodulin-binding domains for nuclear importation. Calmodulin (CaM) is affected by the specific inhibitor calmidazolium (CMZ), which prevents the nuclear transport of Sox factors. In this work, we assess the regulation of the Catsper1 promoter in vivo by Sox factors in the murine testis and evaluate the effects of the inhibitor calmidazolium on the expression of the Casper genes, and the motility and fertility of the sperm. Catsper1 promoter has significant transcriptional activity in vivo; on the contrary, three Sox site mutants in the Catsper1 promoter reduced transcriptional activity in the testis. CaM inhibition affects Sox factor nuclear transport and has notable implications in the expression and production of Catsper1, as well as in the motility and fertility capability of sperm. The molecular mechanism described here might conform to the basis of a male contraceptive strategy acting at the transcriptional level by affecting the production of the CatSper channel, a fundamental piece of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Forero-Forero
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Departamento de Biología Celular, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico; (A.F.-F.); (R.F.)
| | - Stephany López-Ramírez
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital General de Zona Núm. 68, Ecatepec 55400, Mexico;
| | - Ricardo Felix
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Departamento de Biología Celular, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico; (A.F.-F.); (R.F.)
| | - Javier Hernández-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico;
| | - Emiliano Tesoro-Cruz
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Infectología del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología, Ciudad de México 02990, Mexico; (E.T.-C.); (C.B.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
| | - Sandra Orozco-Suárez
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Centro Médico Nacional siglo XXI, Hospital de Especialidades, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Neurológicas, Ciudad de México 06720, Mexico;
| | - Janet Murbartián
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Sede sur, Departamento de Farmacobiología, Ciudad de México 14330, Mexico;
| | - Elizabeth Soria-Castro
- Instituto Nacional de Cardiología “Ignacio Chavéz”, Departamento de Biomedicina Cardiovascular, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico;
| | - Aleida Olivares
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia No. 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Medicina Reproductiva, Ciudad de México 01090, Mexico;
| | - Carolina Bekker-Méndez
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Infectología del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología, Ciudad de México 02990, Mexico; (E.T.-C.); (C.B.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
| | - Vladimir Paredes-Cervantes
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Infectología del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología, Ciudad de México 02990, Mexico; (E.T.-C.); (C.B.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
| | - Norma Oviedo
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Infectología del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología, Ciudad de México 02990, Mexico; (E.T.-C.); (C.B.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-5557821088 (ext. 24315)
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