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Nezzi L, Davico CE, Schramm H, de Melo MS, Nazari EM. Assessing testicular morphofunctionality under Roundup WG® herbicide exposure in zebrafish. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-33626-x. [PMID: 38758439 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33626-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Glyphosate-based herbicides, like Roundup WG® (RWG) used for a range of crops, such as corn, soybean, coffee, sugarcane, rice, apple, and citrus, can reach aquatic ecosystems and impact non-target organisms like fish. Thus, the fish were exposed to three RWG concentrations plus one negative control, which represents the concentration allowed for inland Brazilian waters and concentrations found in surface water worldwide (0.0, 0.065, 0.65, and 6.5 mg a.i./L) for 7 and 15 days. Morphological analysis revealed significant alterations in the testicular structure, particularly in Sertoli cell extensions and cytoplasmic bridges between germ cells. Subcellular compartments also displayed alterations, including dilated mitochondria and the loss of electron density and autophagic vesicles. Gene transcript levels related to autophagy and steroidogenic regulation were upregulated in exposed fish. Germ cell quality was also affected, increasing ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and DNA fragmentation. The study highlighted the RWG reproductive toxicity, providing valuable insights into understanding the morphofunctional alterations in somatic and germ cells of Danio rerio. In conclusion, the environmental relevant concentrations used in this study were toxic to male somatic and germ cells, which raises a concern about the concentrations considered safe for human and animal use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciane Nezzi
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Carla Eliana Davico
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Heloísa Schramm
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Madson Silveira de Melo
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Evelise Maria Nazari
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, Brazil.
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Liu D, Asad M, Liao J, Chen J, Li J, Chu X, Pang S, Tariq M, Abbas AN, Yang G. The Potential Role of the Piwi Gene in the Development and Reproduction of Plutella xylostella. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12321. [PMID: 37569697 PMCID: PMC10418840 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512321] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Piwi proteins play a significant role in germ cell development and the silencing of transposons in animals by associating with small non-coding RNAs known as Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). While the Piwi gene has been well characterized in various insect species, the role of the Piwi (PxPiwi) gene in the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), a globally distributed pest of cruciferous crops, remains unclear. Expression analysis demonstrated the upregulation of PxPiwi in pupae and testes. Furthermore, we generated a PxPiwi-knockout mutant using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, which resulted in a significantly prolonged pupal stage and the failure of pupae to develop into adults. Additionally, the knockdown of PxPiwi, through RNA interference (RNAi), led to a substantial decrease in the oviposition and hatchability of P. xylostella. These findings indicate that PxPiwi is specifically expressed and essential for the development and reproduction of P. xylostella. This is the first report indicating the involvement of the Piwi gene in the development of lepidopteran insects, except for reproduction and germ cell development, which provides a foundation for future investigations into the functions of PxPiwi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (D.L.); (M.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.L.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (M.T.); (A.N.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Muhammad Asad
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (D.L.); (M.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.L.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (M.T.); (A.N.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jianying Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (D.L.); (M.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.L.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (M.T.); (A.N.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (D.L.); (M.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.L.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (M.T.); (A.N.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jianwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (D.L.); (M.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.L.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (M.T.); (A.N.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xuemei Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (D.L.); (M.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.L.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (M.T.); (A.N.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Senbo Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (D.L.); (M.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.L.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (M.T.); (A.N.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Mubashir Tariq
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (D.L.); (M.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.L.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (M.T.); (A.N.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Anam Noreen Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (D.L.); (M.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.L.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (M.T.); (A.N.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (D.L.); (M.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.L.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (M.T.); (A.N.A.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
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Zhao P, Peng C, Fang L, Wang Z, Liu GE. Taming transposable elements in livestock and poultry: a review of their roles and applications. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:50. [PMID: 37479995 PMCID: PMC10362595 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00821-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Livestock and poultry play a significant role in human nutrition by converting agricultural by-products into high-quality proteins. To meet the growing demand for safe animal protein, genetic improvement of livestock must be done sustainably while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Transposable elements (TE) are important components of livestock and poultry genomes, contributing to their genetic diversity, chromatin states, gene regulatory networks, and complex traits of economic value. However, compared to other species, research on TE in livestock and poultry is still in its early stages. In this review, we analyze 72 studies published in the past 20 years, summarize the TE composition in livestock and poultry genomes, and focus on their potential roles in functional genomics. We also discuss bioinformatic tools and strategies for integrating multi-omics data with TE, and explore future directions, feasibility, and challenges of TE research in livestock and poultry. In addition, we suggest strategies to apply TE in basic biological research and animal breeding. Our goal is to provide a new perspective on the importance of TE in livestock and poultry genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengju Zhao
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Hainan Sanya, 572000, China
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Peng
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Hainan Sanya, 572000, China
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingzhao Fang
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Zhengguang Wang
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Hainan Sanya, 572000, China.
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - George E Liu
- Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA.
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Li C, Zhang R, Zhang Z, Ren C, Wang X, He X, Mwacharo JM, Zhang X, Zhang J, Di R, Chu M. Expression characteristics of piRNAs in ovine luteal phase and follicular phase ovaries. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:921868. [PMID: 36157184 PMCID: PMC9493120 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.921868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), as a novel class of small non-coding RNAs that have been shown to be indispensable in germline integrity and stem cell development. However, the expressed characteristics and regulatory roles of piRNAs during different reproductive phases of animals remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the piRNAs expression profiles in ovaries of sheep during the luteal phase (LP) and follicular phase (FP) using the Solexa sequencing technique. A total of 85,219 and 1,27,156 piRNAs tags were identified in ovine ovaries across the two phases. Most expressed piRNAs start with uracil. piRNAs with a length of 24 nt or 27–29 nts accounted for the largest proportion. The obvious ping-pong signature appeared in the FP ovary. The piRNA clusters in the sheep ovary were unevenly distributed on the chromosomes, with high density on Chr 3 and 1. For genome distribution, piRNAs in sheep ovary were mainly derived from intron, CDS, and repeat sequence regions. Compared to the LP ovary, a greater number of expressed piRNA clusters were detected in the FP ovary. Simultaneously, we identified 271 differentially expressed (DE) piRNAs between LP and FP ovaries, with 96 piRNAs upregulated and 175 piRNAs downregulated, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis (GO and KEGG) indicated that their target genes were enriched in reproduction-related pathways including oocyte meiosis, PI3K-Akt, Wnt, and TGF-β signaling pathways. Together, our results highlighted the sequence and expression characteristics of the piRNAs in the sheep ovary, which will help us understand the roles of piRNAs in the ovine estrus cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Rensen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zijun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Chunhuan Ren
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyun He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Joram Mwashigadi Mwacharo
- Small Ruminant Genomics, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Institute of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, SRUC and Center for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jinlong Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Animal Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Ran Di
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Ran Di
| | - Mingxing Chu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Mingxing Chu
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Pasquesi GIM, Perry BW, Vandewege MW, Ruggiero RP, Schield DR, Castoe TA. Vertebrate Lineages Exhibit Diverse Patterns of Transposable Element Regulation and Expression across Tissues. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 12:506-521. [PMID: 32271917 PMCID: PMC7211425 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) comprise a major fraction of vertebrate genomes, yet little is known about their expression and regulation across tissues, and how this varies across major vertebrate lineages. We present the first comparative analysis integrating TE expression and TE regulatory pathway activity in somatic and gametic tissues for a diverse set of 12 vertebrates. We conduct simultaneous gene and TE expression analyses to characterize patterns of TE expression and TE regulation across vertebrates and examine relationships between these features. We find remarkable variation in the expression of genes involved in TE negative regulation across tissues and species, yet consistently high expression in germline tissues, particularly in testes. Most vertebrates show comparably high levels of TE regulatory pathway activity across gonadal tissues except for mammals, where reduced activity of TE regulatory pathways in ovarian tissues may be the result of lower relative germ cell densities. We also find that all vertebrate lineages examined exhibit remarkably high levels of TE-derived transcripts in somatic and gametic tissues, with recently active TE families showing higher expression in gametic tissues. Although most TE-derived transcripts originate from inactive ancient TE families (and are likely incapable of transposition), such high levels of TE-derived RNA in the cytoplasm may have secondary, unappreciated biological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia I M Pasquesi
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington.,Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder
| | - Blair W Perry
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington
| | | | | | - Drew R Schield
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder
| | - Todd A Castoe
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington
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Zimta AA, Sigurjonsson OE, Gulei D, Tomuleasa C. The Malignant Role of Exosomes as Nanocarriers of Rare RNA Species. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165866. [PMID: 32824183 PMCID: PMC7461500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, advancements in the oncology sector regarding diagnosis methods allow us to specifically detect an increased number of cancer patients, some of them in incipient stages. However, one of the main issues consists of the invasive character of most of the diagnosis protocols or complex medical procedures associated with it, that impedes part of the patients to undergo routine checkups. Therefore, in order to increase the number of cancer cases diagnosed in incipient stages, other minimally invasive alternatives must be considered. The current review paper presents the value of rare RNA species isolated from circulatory exosomes as biomarkers of diagnosis, prognosis or even therapeutic intervention. Rare RNAs are most of the time overlooked in current research in favor of the more abundant RNA species like microRNAs. However, their high degree of stability, low variability and, for most of them, conservation across species could shift the interest toward these types of RNAs. Moreover, due to their low abundance, the variation interval in terms of the number of sequences with differential expression between samples from healthy individuals and cancer patients is significantly diminished and probably easier to interpret in a clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina-Andreea Zimta
- Research Center for Advanced Medicine-Medfuture, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.-A.Z.); (C.T.)
| | - Olafur Eysteinn Sigurjonsson
- The Blood Bank, Landspitali University Hospital, 121 Reykjavik, Iceland;
- School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavik University, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Diana Gulei
- Research Center for Advanced Medicine-Medfuture, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.-A.Z.); (C.T.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Ciprian Tomuleasa
- Research Center for Advanced Medicine-Medfuture, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.-A.Z.); (C.T.)
- Department of Hematology, Oncology Institute Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Role of Non-Coding RNAs in the Progression of Liver Cancer: Evidence from Experimental Models. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111652. [PMID: 31731549 PMCID: PMC6896146 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a devastating cancer that ranges from relatively rare (around 2% of all cancers in the United States) to commonplace (up to 50% of cancers in underdeveloped countries). Depending upon the stage of pathogenesis, prognosis, or functional liver tissue present, transplantation or partial hepatectomy may be the only available treatment option. However, due to the rise in metabolic syndrome and the increasing demand for livers, patients often wait months or years for available organs. Due to this shortage, doctors must have other treatment options available. One promising area of cancer research lies in understanding the role of regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) as oncogenic drivers and potential targets for prospective therapies. While the role of these ncRNAs was not initially clear, many of them have since been recognized to function as important players in the regulation of gene expression, epigenetic modification, and signal transduction in both normal and cancer cell cycles. Dysregulation of these different ncRNA subtypes has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of many major cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma. This review summarizes current findings on the roles noncoding RNAs play in the progression of liver cancer and the various animal models used in current research to elucidate those data.
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Beauclair L, Ramé C, Arensburger P, Piégu B, Guillou F, Dupont J, Bigot Y. Sequence properties of certain GC rich avian genes, their origins and absence from genome assemblies: case studies. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:734. [PMID: 31610792 PMCID: PMC6792250 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6131-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background More and more eukaryotic genomes are sequenced and assembled, most of them presented as a complete model in which missing chromosomal regions are filled by Ns and where a few chromosomes may be lacking. Avian genomes often contain sequences with high GC content, which has been hypothesized to be at the origin of many missing sequences in these genomes. We investigated features of these missing sequences to discover why some may not have been integrated into genomic libraries and/or sequenced. Results The sequences of five red jungle fowl cDNA models with high GC content were used as queries to search publicly available datasets of Illumina and Pacbio sequencing reads. These were used to reconstruct the leptin, TNFα, MRPL52, PCP2 and PET100 genes, all of which are absent from the red jungle fowl genome model. These gene sequences displayed elevated GC contents, had intron sizes that were sometimes larger than non-avian orthologues, and had non-coding regions that contained numerous tandem and inverted repeat sequences with motifs able to assemble into stable G-quadruplexes and intrastrand dyadic structures. Our results suggest that Illumina technology was unable to sequence the non-coding regions of these genes. On the other hand, PacBio technology was able to sequence these regions, but with dramatically lower efficiency than would typically be expected. Conclusions High GC content was not the principal reason why numerous GC-rich regions of avian genomes are missing from genome assembly models. Instead, it is the presence of tandem repeats containing motifs capable of assembling into very stable secondary structures that is likely responsible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Beauclair
- PRC, UMR INRA0085, CNRS 7247, Centre INRA Val de Loire, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Christelle Ramé
- PRC, UMR INRA0085, CNRS 7247, Centre INRA Val de Loire, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Peter Arensburger
- Biological Sciences Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
| | - Benoît Piégu
- PRC, UMR INRA0085, CNRS 7247, Centre INRA Val de Loire, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Florian Guillou
- PRC, UMR INRA0085, CNRS 7247, Centre INRA Val de Loire, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Joëlle Dupont
- PRC, UMR INRA0085, CNRS 7247, Centre INRA Val de Loire, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Yves Bigot
- PRC, UMR INRA0085, CNRS 7247, Centre INRA Val de Loire, 37380, Nouzilly, France.
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Giebler M, Greither T, Behre HM. Differential Regulation of PIWI-LIKE 2 Expression in Primordial Germ Cell Tumor Cell Lines by Promoter Methylation. Front Genet 2018; 9:375. [PMID: 30294341 PMCID: PMC6158399 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00375] [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: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI-LIKE 2, a member of the ARGONAUTE protein family, is exclusively expressed in pre-pachytene and pachytene stages of spermatogenesis. PIWI-LIKE 2 acts in the germ cell development and the silencing of retrotransponsons to maintain the genomic integrity and stem cell character. In the present study we investigated DNA methylation as potential mechanism for the regulation of human PIWI-LIKE 2 expression in cell lines related to spermatozoa precursor cells. We detected a high methylation of the PIWI-LIKE 2 promoter in TCam-2 cells, while in NT2/D1 cells the promoter was hypomethylated. Concordantly, PIWI-LIKE 2 expression is higher in NT2/D1 cells than in TCam-2 cells. By demethylation of the promoter with 5'-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine, PIWI-LIKE 2 expression in TCam-2 was increased, while in NT2/D1 no alterations in PIWI-LIKE 2 expression could be detected. In conclusion, we analyzed the DNA methylation driving PIWI-LIKE 2 expression in undifferentiated germ cell tumors and demonstrated an epigenetic basis for PIWI-LIKE 2 expression in this cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giebler
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Thomas Greither
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Hermann M Behre
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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10
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Watanabe T, Cui X, Yuan Z, Qi H, Lin H. MIWI2 targets RNAs transcribed from piRNA-dependent regions to drive DNA methylation in mouse prospermatogonia. EMBO J 2018; 37:e95329. [PMID: 30108053 PMCID: PMC6138435 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201695329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Argonaute/Piwi proteins can regulate gene expression via RNA degradation and translational regulation using small RNAs as guides. They also promote the establishment of suppressive epigenetic marks on repeat sequences in diverse organisms. In mice, the nuclear Piwi protein MIWI2 and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are required for DNA methylation of retrotransposon sequences and some other sequences. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that piRNA-dependent regions are transcribed at the stage when piRNA-mediated DNA methylation takes place. MIWI2 specifically interacts with RNAs from these regions. In addition, we generated mice with deletion of a retrotransposon sequence either in a representative piRNA-dependent region or in a piRNA cluster. Both deleted regions were required for the establishment of DNA methylation of the piRNA-dependent region, indicating that piRNAs determine the target specificity of MIWI2-mediated DNA methylation. Our results indicate that MIWI2 affects the chromatin state through base-pairing between piRNAs and nascent RNAs, as observed in other organisms possessing small RNA-mediated epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Watanabe
- Yale Stem Cell Center and Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xiekui Cui
- Yale Stem Cell Center and Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhongyu Yuan
- Zhiyuan College, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongying Qi
- Yale Stem Cell Center and Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Haifan Lin
- Yale Stem Cell Center and Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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11
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Wen X, Wang D, Li X, Zhao C, Wang T, Qian X, Yin S. Differential expression of two Piwil orthologs during embryonic and gonadal development in pufferfish, Takifugu fasciatus. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 219-220:44-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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12
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Gong J, Zhang Q, Wang Q, Ma Y, Du J, Zhang Y, Zhao X. Identification and verification of potential piRNAs from domesticated yak testis. Reproduction 2017; 155:117-127. [PMID: 29101267 PMCID: PMC5763474 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNA) are small non-coding RNA molecules expressed in animal germ cells that interact with PIWI family proteins to form RNA–protein complexes involved in epigenetic and post-transcriptional gene silencing of retrotransposons and other genetic elements in germ line cells, including reproductive stem cell self-sustainment, differentiation, meiosis and spermatogenesis. In the present study, we performed high-throughput sequencing of piRNAs in testis samples from yaks in different stages of sexual maturity. Deep sequencing of the small RNAs (18–40 nt in length) yielded 4,900,538 unique reads from a total of 53,035,635 reads. We identified yak small RNAs (18–30 nt) and performed functional characterization. Yak small RNAs showed a bimodal length distribution, with two peaks at 22 nt and >28 nt. More than 80% of the 3,106,033 putative piRNAs were mapped to 4637 piRNA-producing genomic clusters using RPKM. 6388 candidate piRNAs were identified from clean reads and the annotations were compared with the yak reference genome repeat region. Integrated network analysis suggested that some differentially expressed genes were involved in spermatogenesis through ECM–receptor interaction and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. Our data provide novel insights into the molecular expression and regulation similarities and diversities in spermatogenesis and testicular development in yaks at different stages of sexual maturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jishang Gong
- Gansu Agricultural UniversityLanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanwei Zhang
- Gansu Agricultural UniversityLanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Wang
- Gansu Agricultural UniversityLanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Youji Ma
- Gansu Agricultural UniversityLanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxiang Du
- Gansu Agricultural UniversityLanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Gansu Agricultural UniversityLanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingxu Zhao
- Gansu Agricultural UniversityLanzhou, People's Republic of China
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13
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Paces J, Nic M, Novotny T, Svoboda P. Literature review of baseline information to support the risk assessment of RNAi‐based GM plants. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [PMCID: PMC7163844 DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2017.en-1246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Paces
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IMG)
| | | | | | - Petr Svoboda
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IMG)
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14
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Biscotti MA, Canapa A, Forkoni M, Gerdol M, Pallavicini A, Schartl M, Barucca M. The small non-coding RNA processing machinery of two living fossil species, lungfish and coelacanth, gives new insights into the evolution of the Argonaute protein family. Genome Biol Evol 2017; 9:438-453. [PMID: 28206606 PMCID: PMC5381642 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evx017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Assunta Biscotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
| | - Adriana Canapa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
| | - Mariko Forkoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste (Italy)
| | | | - Manifred Schartl
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg and Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; and Texas Institute for Advanced Study and Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Marco Barucca
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
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15
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Epigenetics in male reproduction: effect of paternal diet on sperm quality and offspring health. Nat Rev Urol 2016; 13:584-95. [PMID: 27578043 DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2016.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic inheritance and its underlying molecular mechanisms are among the most intriguing areas of current biological and medical research. To date, studies have shown that both female and male germline development follow distinct paths of epigenetic events and both oocyte and sperm possess their own unique epigenomes. Fertilizing male and female germ cells deliver not only their haploid genomes but also their epigenomes, which contain the code for preimplantation and postimplantation reprogramming and embryonal development. For example, in spermatozoa, DNA methylation profile, DNA-associated proteins, protamine 1:protamine 2 ratio, nucleosome distribution pattern, histone modifications and other properties make up a unique epigenetic landscape. However, epigenetic factors and mechanisms possess certain plasticity and are affected by environmental conditions. Paternal and maternal lifestyle, including physical activity, nutrition and exposure to hazardous substances, can alter the epigenome and, moreover, can affect the health of their children. In male reproductive health, data are emerging on epigenetically mediated effects of a man's diet on sperm quality, for example through phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins, and nutritional support for subfertile men is already being used. In addition, studies in animal models and human epidemiological data point toward a transgenerational effect of the paternally contributed sperm epigenome on offspring health.
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16
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Tao W, Sun L, Chen J, Shi H, Wang D. Genomic identification, rapid evolution, and expression of Argonaute genes in the tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Dev Genes Evol 2016; 226:339-48. [PMID: 27491892 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-016-0554-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Argonaute proteins are key components of the small RNA-induced silencing complex and have multiple roles in RNA-directed regulatory pathways. Argonaute genes can be divided into two subfamilies: the Ago (interacting with microRNA/small interfering RNA) and Piwi subfamilies (interacting with piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs)). In the present study, genome-wide analyses firstly yielded the identification of different members of Agos and Piwis in the tilapia, coelacanth, spotted gar, and elephant shark. The additional teleost Ago3b was generated following the fish-specific genome duplication event. Selective pressure analysis on Agos and Piwis between cichlids and other teleosts showed an accelerated evolution of Piwil1 in the cichlid lineages, and the positive selected sites were located in the region of PIWI domain, suggesting that these amino acid substitutions are adapt to targeted cleavage of messenger RNA (mRNA) in cichlids. Ago1 and Ago4 were detected at higher levels at 5 days after hatching (dah) in both ovaries and testes compared with other stages, supporting the previously reported requirement of Ago-mediated pathways to clear the maternal mRNAs during the early embryogenesis. The Piwis were abundantly expressed in tilapia testes, indicating their essential roles in male germline, especially in spermatogenesis. Notable expression of Piwis was also detected in skeletal muscle, indicating that piRNA pathway may not only be confined to development and maintenance of the germline but may also play important roles in somatic tissues. The expression of Piwil1 and Piwil2 was examined by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) to validate the spatial and temporal expression profiles. Taken together, these results present a thorough overview of tilapia Argonaute family and provide a new perspective on the evolution and function of this family in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Tao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Science, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Science, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinlin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Science, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongjuan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Science, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Science, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Lim SL, Qu ZP, Kortschak RD, Lawrence DM, Geoghegan J, Hempfling AL, Bergmann M, Goodnow CC, Ormandy CJ, Wong L, Mann J, Scott HS, Jamsai D, Adelson DL, O’Bryan MK. HENMT1 and piRNA Stability Are Required for Adult Male Germ Cell Transposon Repression and to Define the Spermatogenic Program in the Mouse. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005620. [PMID: 26496356 PMCID: PMC4619860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
piRNAs are critical for transposable element (TE) repression and germ cell survival during the early phases of spermatogenesis, however, their role in adult germ cells and the relative importance of piRNA methylation is poorly defined in mammals. Using a mouse model of HEN methyltransferase 1 (HENMT1) loss-of-function, RNA-Seq and a range of RNA assays we show that HENMT1 is required for the 2’ O-methylation of mammalian piRNAs. HENMT1 loss leads to piRNA instability, reduced piRNA bulk and length, and ultimately male sterility characterized by a germ cell arrest at the elongating germ cell phase of spermatogenesis. HENMT1 loss-of-function, and the concomitant loss of piRNAs, resulted in TE de-repression in adult meiotic and haploid germ cells, and the precocious, and selective, expression of many haploid-transcripts in meiotic cells. Precocious expression was associated with a more active chromatin state in meiotic cells, elevated levels of DNA damage and a catastrophic deregulation of the haploid germ cell gene expression. Collectively these results define a critical role for HENMT1 and piRNAs in the maintenance of TE repression in adult germ cells and setting the spermatogenic program. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs found in great abundance within both embryonic and adult male germ cells. Within embryonic germ cells, piRNAs have a well-recognized role in transposable element (TE) silencing, however, their role in adult cells remains poorly defined. Here we demonstrate that HENMT1 dysfunction and the resultant piRNA instability dramatically impacts multiple aspects of adult germ cell biology. Specifically, pachytene piRNAs are required to maintain TE silencing in adult germ cells and to set the spermatogenic gene expression program. piRNA loss leads to a more active chromatin state in the regulatory regions of numerous normally haploid germ cell genes and their precocious expression during meiosis, followed by a catastrophic deregulation of gene expression in haploid cells and male sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Ly Lim
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhi Peng Qu
- School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - R. Daniel Kortschak
- School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David M. Lawrence
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation Cancer Genomics Facility, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Joel Geoghegan
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation Cancer Genomics Facility, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Anna-Lena Hempfling
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christopher C. Goodnow
- Australian Phenomics Facility, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Christopher J. Ormandy
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lee Wong
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeff Mann
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hamish S. Scott
- School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation Cancer Genomics Facility, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Duangporn Jamsai
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David L. Adelson
- School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Moira K. O’Bryan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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18
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Roles of small RNAs in the effects of nutrition on apoptosis and spermatogenesis in the adult testis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10372. [PMID: 25996545 PMCID: PMC4440528 DOI: 10.1038/srep10372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We tested whether reductions in spermatozoal quality induced by under-nutrition are associated with increased germ cell apoptosis and disrupted spermatogenesis, and whether these effects are mediated by small RNAs. Groups of 8 male sheep were fed for a 10% increase or 10% decrease in body mass over 65 days. Underfeeding increased the number of apoptotic germ cells (P < 0.05) and increased the expression of apoptosis-related genes (P < 0.05) in testicular tissue. We identified 44 miRNAs and 35 putative piRNAs that were differentially expressed in well-fed and underfed males (FDR < 0.05). Some were related to reproductive system development, apoptosis (miRNAs), and sperm production and quality (piRNAs). Novel-miR-144 (miR-98), was found to target three apoptotic genes (TP53, CASP3, FASL). The proportion of miRNAs as a total of small RNAs was greater in well-fed males than in underfed males (P < 0.05) and was correlated (r = 0.8, P < 0.05) with the proportion of piRNAs in well-fed and underfed males. In conclusion, the reductions in spermatozoal quality induced by under-nutrition are caused, at least partly, by disruptions to Sertoli cell function and increased germ cell apoptosis, mediated by changes in the expression of miRNAs and piRNAs.
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19
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Di R, He J, Song S, Tian D, Liu Q, Liang X, Ma Q, Sun M, Wang J, Zhao W, Cao G, Wang J, Yang Z, Ge Y, Chu M. Characterization and comparative profiling of ovarian microRNAs during ovine anestrus and the breeding season. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:899. [PMID: 25318541 PMCID: PMC4287553 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Seasonal estrus is a critical limiting factor of animal fecundity, and it involves changes in both ovarian biology and hormone secretion in different seasons. Previous studies indicate that two classes of small RNAs (miRNAs and piRNAs) play important regulatory roles in ovarian biology. To understand the roles of small RNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation in ovine seasonal estrus, the variation in expression patterns of ovarian small RNAs during anestrus and the breeding season were analyzed using Solexa sequencing technology. In addition, reproductive hormone levels were determined during ovine anestrus and the breeding season. Results A total of 483 miRNAs (including 97 known, 369 conserved and 17 predicated novel miRNAs), which belong to 183 different miRNA families, were identified in ovaries of Tan sheep and Small Tail Han (STH) sheep. Compared with the three stages of the breeding season, 25 shared significantly differentially expressed (including 19 up- and six down-regulated) miRNAs were identified in ovine anestrus. KEGG Pathway analysis revealed that the target genes for some of the differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in reproductive hormone related pathways (e.g. steroid biosynthesis, androgen and estrogen metabolism and GnRH signaling pathway) as well as follicular/luteal development related pathways. Moreover, the expression of the differentially expressed miRNAs and most of their target genes were negatively correlated in the above pathways. Furthermore, the levels of estrogen, progesterone and LH in ovine anestrus were significantly lower than those in the breeding season. Combining the results of pathway enrichment analysis, expression of target genes and hormone measurement, we suggest that these differentially expressed miRNAs in anestrus might participate in attenuation of ovarian activity by regulating the above pathways. Besides miRNAs, a large and unexpectedly diverse set of piRNAs were also identified. Conclusions The miRNA profiles of ovine ovaries in anestrus were presented for the first time. The identification and characterization of miRNAs that are differentially expressed between ovine anestrus and the breeding season will help understanding of the role of miRNAs in the regulation of seasonal estrus, and provides candidates for determining miRNAs which could be potentially used to regulate ovine seasonal estrus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-899) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mingxing Chu
- Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Germplasm Innovation of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No, 2, Yuanmingyuan West Rd, Beijing, China.
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20
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Rengaraj D, Lee SI, Park TS, Lee HJ, Kim YM, Sohn YA, Jung M, Noh SJ, Jung H, Han JY. Small non-coding RNA profiling and the role of piRNA pathway genes in the protection of chicken primordial germ cells. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:757. [PMID: 25185950 PMCID: PMC4286946 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genes, RNAs, and proteins play important roles during germline development. However, the functions of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) on germline development remain unclear in avian species. Recent high-throughput techniques have identified several classes of ncRNAs, including micro RNAs (miRNAs), small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). These ncRNAs are functionally important in the genome, however, the identification and annotation of ncRNAs in a genome is challenging. The aim of this study was to identify different types of small ncRNAs particularly piRNAs, and the role of piRNA pathway genes in the protection of chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs). RESULTS At first, we performed next-generation sequencing to identify ncRNAs in chicken PGCs, and we performed ab initio predictive analysis to identify putative piRNAs in PGCs. Then, we examined the expression of three repetitive sequence-linked piRNAs and 14 genic-transcript-linked piRNAs along with their linked genes using real-time PCR. All piRNAs and their linked genes were highly expressed in PGCs. Subsequently, we knocked down two known piRNA pathway genes of chicken, PIWI-like protein 1 (CIWI) and 2 (CILI), in PGCs using siRNAs. After knockdown of CIWI and CILI, we examined their effects on the expression of six putative piRNA-linked genes and DNA double-strand breakage in PGCs. The knockdown of CIWI and CILI upregulated chicken repetitive 1 (CR1) element and RAP2B, a member of RAS oncogene family, and increased DNA double-strand breakage in PGCs. CONCLUSIONS Our results increase the understanding of PGC-expressed piRNAs and the role of piRNA pathway genes in the protection of germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jae Yong Han
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea.
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21
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Lim SL, Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK, De Arao Tan IMD, Russell D, Grützner F. Overexpression of piRNA pathway genes in epithelial ovarian cancer. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99687. [PMID: 24932571 PMCID: PMC4059699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of the Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway for germ cell maintenance, genome integrity, DNA methylation and retrotransposon control raises possible roles of this pathway in cancer. Indeed aberrant expression of human PIWI orthologs and Maelstrom has been observed in various cancers. In this study we explored the expression and function of piRNA pathway genes in human ovarian cancer, based on our recent work, which showed widespread expression of piRNA pathway genes in the mammalian. Our work shows that PIWIL1 and MAEL expression is significantly increased in malignant EOC (n = 25) compared to benign tumor tissues (n = 19) and normal ovarian tissue (n = 8). The expression of PIWIL3 is lower in malignant and benign tissues when compared to normal ovary. Sequencing of PIWIL1 transcript revealed that in many tumors deletion of exon 17 leads to the introduction of a premature stop codon in the PIWI domain, likely due to a splicing error. In situ hybridization on tumor sections revealed that L1, PIWIL1, 2 and MAEL are specifically expressed in epithelial cells (cancerous cells) of EOC. Furthermore, PIWIL2 and MAEL are co-expressed in the stromal cells adjacent to tumor cells. Since PIWIL1 and MAEL are up regulated in malignant EOC and expressed in the epithelial cells, we investigated if these two genes affect invasiveness of ovarian cancer cell lines that do not normally express these genes. PIWIL1 and MAEL were transiently over expressed in the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3, followed by real-time measurements of cell invasiveness. Surprisingly both PIWIL1 and MAEL over expression decreased the invasiveness of SKOV3 cells. Our findings support a growing body of evidence that shows that genes in this pathway are upregulated in cancer. In ovarian cancer we show for the first time that Piwil1 transcript may often be abnormal result in non functional product. In contrast to what has been observed in other cell types, we found that PIWIL1 and MAEL have a repressive effect on cell invasiveness.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Argonaute Proteins/genetics
- Argonaute Proteins/metabolism
- Base Sequence
- Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- DNA-Binding Proteins
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- In Situ Hybridization
- Middle Aged
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Neoplasm Staging
- Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/genetics
- Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/pathology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics
- Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology
- Ovary/metabolism
- Ovary/pathology
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Transcription Factors
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Ly Lim
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Carmela Ricciardelli
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Martin K. Oehler
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Izza M. D. De Arao Tan
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Darryl Russell
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Frank Grützner
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- * E-mail:
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