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Proteomic analysis of hypothalamus in prepubertal and pubertal female goat. J Proteomics 2022; 251:104411. [PMID: 34728423 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The functions of proteins at the onset of puberty in goats remain largely unexplored. To identify the proteins regulating puberty in goats, we analysed protein abundance and pathways in the hypothalamus of female goats. We applied tandem mass tag (TMT) labelling, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) to examine hypothalamus of pubertal (cases; n = 3) and prepubertal (controls; n = 3) goats. We identified 5119 proteins, including 69 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs), of which 35 were upregulated and 34 were downregulated. Fourteen DAPs were randomly selected to verify these results using PRM, and the results were consistent with the TMT quantitative results. DAPs were enriched in MAPK signalling pathway, Ras signalling pathway, Autophagy-animal, Endocytosis, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway categories. These pathways are related to embryogenesis, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and promoting the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the hypothalamus. In particular, PDGFRβ and MAP3K7 occupied important locations in the protein-protein interaction network. The results demonstrate that DAPs and their related signalling pathways are crucial in regulating puberty in goats. However, further research is needed to explore the functions of DAPs and their pathways to provide new insights into the mechanism of puberty onset. SIGNIFICANCE: In domestic animals, reaching the age of puberty is an event that contributes significantly to lifetime reproductive potential. And the hypothalamus functions directly in the complex systemic changes that control puberty. Our study was the first TMT proteomics analysis on hypothalamus tissues of pubertal goats, which revealed the changes of protein and pathways that are related to the onset of puberty. We identified 69 DAPs, which were enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway, the Ras signaling pathway, and the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, suggesting that these processes were probably involved in the onset of puberty.
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Palumbo S, Cirillo G, Aiello F, Papparella A, Miraglia del Giudice E, Grandone A. MKRN3 role in regulating pubertal onset: the state of art of functional studies. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:991322. [PMID: 36187104 PMCID: PMC9523110 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.991322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Puberty is a critical process characterized by several physical and psychological changes that culminate in the achievement of sexual maturation and fertility. The onset of puberty depends on several incompletely understood mechanisms that certainly involve gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its effects on the pituitary gland. The role of makorin ring finger protein 3 (MKRN3) in the regulation of pubertal timing was revealed when loss-of-function mutations were identified in patients with central precocious puberty (CPP), which to date, represent the most commonly known genetic cause of this condition. The MKRN3 gene showed ubiquitous expression in tissues from a broad spectrum of species, suggesting an important cellular role. Its involvement in the initiation of puberty and endocrine functions has just begun to be studied. This review discusses some of the recent approaches developed to predict MKRN3 functions and its involvement in pubertal development.
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Heydenrych MJ, Saunders BJ, Bunce M, Jarman SN. Epigenetic Measurement of Key Vertebrate Population Biology Parameters. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.617376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The age, sex, and sexual maturity of individual animals are key parameters in assessing wild populations and informing conservation management strategies. These parameters represent the reproductive potential of a population and can indicate recovery rates or vulnerabilities. Natural populations of wild animals are difficult to study; logistically, economically, and due to the impacts of invasive biomonitoring. Genetic and epigenetic analyses offer a low impact, low cost, and information-rich alternative. As epigenetic mechanisms are intrinsically linked with both biological aging and reproductive processes, DNA methylation can be used as a suitable biomarker for population biology study. This review assesses published research utilizing DNA methylation analysis in relation to three key population parameters: age, sex, and sexual maturity. We review studies on wild vertebrates that investigate epigenetic age relationships, with successful age estimation assays designed for mammals, birds, and fish. For both determination of sex and identification of sexual maturity, very little has been explored regarding DNA methylation-based assays. Related research, however, confirms the links between DNA methylation and these processes. Future development of age estimation assays for underrepresented and key conservation taxa is suggested, as is the experimental development and design of DNA methylation-based assays for both sex and sexual maturity identification, further expanding the genomics toolkit for population biology studies.
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Kang T, Ye J, Qin P, Li H, Yao Z, Liu Y, Ling Y, Zhang Y, Yu T, Cao H, Li Y, Wang J, Fang F. Knockdown of Ptprn-2 delays the onset of puberty in female rats. Theriogenology 2021; 176:137-148. [PMID: 34607132 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we evaluated how Ptprn-2 (encoding tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type, N2 polypeptide protein) affects the onset of puberty in female rats. We evaluated the expression of Ptprn-2 mRNA and protein in the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis of female rats using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence at infancy, prepuberty, puberty, peripuberty, and adulthood. We evaluated the effects of Ptprn-2 gene knockdown on different aspects of reproduction-related biology in female rats, including the expression levels of puberty-related genes in vivo and in vitro, the time to onset of puberty, the concentration of serum reproductive hormones, the morphology of ovaries, and the ultrastructure of pituitary gonadotropin cells. Our results demonstrated that PTPRN-2 was primarily distributed in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), periventricular nucleus (PeN), adenohypophysis, and the ovarian follicular theca, stroma, and granulosa cells of female rats at various stages. Ptprn-2 mRNA levels significantly varied between peripuberty and puberty (P < 0.05) in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. In hypothalamic cells, Ptprn-2 knockdown decreased the expression of Ptprn-2 and Rfrp-3 mRNA (P < 0.05) and increased the levels of Gnrh and Kiss-1 mRNA (P < 0.05). Ptprn-2 knockdown in the hypothalamus resulted in delayed vaginal opening compared to the control group (n = 12, P < 0.01), and Ptprn-2, Gnrh, and Kiss-1 mRNA levels (P < 0.05) all decreased, while the expression of Igf-1 (P < 0.05) and Rfrp-3 mRNA (P < 0.01) increased. The concentrations of FSH and P4 in the serum of Ptprn-2 knockdown rats were lower than in control animals (P < 0.05). Large transverse perimeters and longitudinal perimeters (P < 0.05) were found in the ovaries of Ptprn-2 knockdown rats. There were fewer large secretory particles from gonadotropin cells in adenohypophysis tissue of the Ptprn-2 knockdown group compared to the control group. This indicates that Ptprn-2 knockdown can regulate levels of Gnrh, Kiss-1, and Rfrp-3 mRNA in the hypothalamus, regulate the concentration of serum FSH and P4, and alter the morphology of ovarian and gonadotropin cells, delaying the onset of puberty in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiezhu Kang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Ping Qin
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Hailing Li
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Zhiqiu Yao
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Ya Liu
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yinghui Ling
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yunhai Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Tong Yu
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Hongguo Cao
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yunsheng Li
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Juhua Wang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Fugui Fang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China; Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China.
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Abstract
Animal and humans exposed to stress early in life are more likely to suffer from long-term behavioral, mental health, metabolic, immune, and cardiovascular health consequences. The hypothalamus plays a nodal role in programming, controlling, and regulating stress responses throughout the life course. Epigenetic reprogramming in the hippocampus and the hypothalamus play an important role in adapting genome function to experiences and exposures during the perinatal and early life periods and setting up stable phenotypic outcomes. Epigenetic programming during development enables one genome to express multiple cell type identities. The most proximal epigenetic mark to DNA is a covalent modification of the DNA itself by enzymatic addition of methyl moieties. Cell-type-specific DNA methylation profiles are generated during gestational development and define cell and tissue specific phenotypes. Programming of neuronal phenotypes and sex differences in the hypothalamus is achieved by developmentally timed rearrangement of DNA methylation profiles. Similarly, other stations in the life trajectory such as puberty and aging involve predictable and scheduled reorganization of DNA methylation profiles. DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks are critical for maintaining cell-type identity in the brain, across the body, and throughout life. Data that have emerged in the last 15 years suggest that like its role in defining cell-specific phenotype during development, DNA methylation might be involved in defining experiential identities, programming similar genes to perform differently in response to diverse experiential histories. Early life stress impact on lifelong phenotypes is proposed to be mediated by DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks. Epigenetic marks, as opposed to genetic mutations, are reversible by either pharmacological or behavioral strategies and therefore offer the potential for reversing or preventing disease including behavioral and mental health disorders. This chapter discusses data testing the hypothesis that DNA methylation modulations of the HPA axis mediate the impact of early life stress on lifelong behavioral and physical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Shalev D, Melamed P. The role of the hypothalamus and pituitary epigenomes in central activation of the reproductive axis at puberty. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:111031. [PMID: 32956708 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Puberty is programmed through a multifactorial gene network which works to activate the pulsatile secretion of the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), and subsequently elevate circulating levels of the pituitary gonadotropins that stimulate gonadal activity. Although this developmental transition normally occurs at a limited age-range in individuals of the same genetic background and environment, pubertal onset can occur prematurely or be delayed following changes in ambient conditions, or due to genetic variations or mutations, many of which have remained elusive due to their location in distal regulatory elements. Growing evidence is pointing to a pivotal role for the epigenome in regulating key genes in the reproductive hypothalamus and pituitary at this time, which might mediate some of the plasticity of pubertal timing. This review will address epigenetic mechanisms which have been demonstrated in the KNDy neurons that increase the output of pulsatile GnRH, and those involved in activation of the GnRH gene and its receptor, and describes how GnRH utilizes epigenetic mechanisms to stimulate transcription of the pituitary gonadotropin genes in the context of the chromatin landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dor Shalev
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Philippa Melamed
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel.
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Morrison KE, Cole AB, Kane PJ, Meadows VE, Thompson SM, Bale TL. Pubertal adversity alters chromatin dynamics and stress circuitry in the pregnant brain. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1263-1271. [PMID: 32045935 PMCID: PMC7297802 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0634-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Women who have experienced adverse childhood events (ACEs) around puberty are at the greatest risk for neuropsychiatric disorders across the lifespan. This population is exceptionally vulnerable to neuropsychiatric disease presentation during the hormonally dynamic state of pregnancy. We previously established that chronic adversity around puberty in female mice significantly altered their HPA axis function specifically during pregnancy, modeling the effects of pubertal ACEs we also reported in women. We hypothesized that the pregnancy hormone, allopregnanolone, was involved in presentation of the blunted stress response phenotype by its interaction with the molecular programming that had occurred during pubertal adversity experience. Here, in adult mice previously stressed during puberty, allopregnanolone administration was sufficient to reproduce the decreased corticosterone response after acute stress. Examination of neuronal activation and the electrophysiological properties of CRF neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) found no significant changes in synaptic function that corresponded with the blunted HPA axis reactivity. However, at the chromatin level, utilization of ATAC-Seq profiling demonstrated a dramatic remodeling of DNA accessibility in the PVN following pubertal adversity. Altogether, these data establish a potential molecular mechanism whereby adversity during puberty can enact lasting transcriptional control that manifests only during a unique period of the lifespan where dynamic hormonal changes occur. These results highlight a biological process that may impart an increased risk for a highly vulnerable population, whereby pubertal programming of the PVN results in aberrant HPA axis responsiveness when exposed to the hormonal changes unique to pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E Morrison
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anthony B Cole
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Patrick J Kane
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Victoria E Meadows
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Scott M Thompson
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tracy L Bale
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Si W, Li H, Kang T, Ye J, Yao Z, Liu Y, Yu T, Zhang Y, Ling Y, Cao H, Wang J, Li Y, Fang F. Effect of GABA-T on Reproductive Function in Female Rats. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10040567. [PMID: 32230949 PMCID: PMC7222393 DOI: 10.3390/ani10040567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored the role of γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) in the puberty and reproductive performance of female rats. Immunofluorescence technique, quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the distribution of GABA-T and the expression of genes and hormones in female rats, respectively. The results showed that GABA-T was mainly distributed in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and periventricular nucleus (PeN) of the hypothalamus, and in the adenohypophysis, ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes. Abat mRNA level at 28 d was lowest in the hypothalamus and the pituitary; at puberty, it was lowest in the ovary. Abat mRNA level was highest in adults in the hypothalamus; at infancy and puberty, it was highest in the pituitary; and at 21 d it was highest in the ovary. After vigabatrin (GABA-T irreversible inhibitor) was added to hypothalamus cells, the levels of Abat mRNA and Rfrp-3 mRNA were significantly reduced, but Gnrh mRNA increased at the dose of 25 and 50 μg/mL; Kiss1 mRNA was significantly increased but Gabbr1 mRNA was reduced at the 50 μg/mL dose. In prepubertal rats injected with vigabatrin, puberty onset was delayed. Abat mRNA, Kiss1 mRNA and Gnrh mRNA levels were significantly reduced, but Rfrp-3 mRNA level increased in the hypothalamus. Vigabatrin reduced the concentrations of GABA-T, luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone (P4), and the ovarian index. Lactation performance was reduced in adult rats with vigabatrin treatment. Four hours after vigabatrin injection, the concentrations of GABA-T and LH were significantly reduced in adult and 25 d rats, but follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increased in 25 d rats. In conclusion, GABA-T affects the reproductive function of female rats by regulating the levels of Gnrh, Kiss1 and Rfrp-3 in the hypothalamus as well as the concentrations of LH and P4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Si
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Hailing Li
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Tiezhu Kang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zhiqiu Yao
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Ya Liu
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Tong Yu
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yunhai Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yinghui Ling
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Hongguo Cao
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Juhua Wang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yunsheng Li
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Fugui Fang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Protection and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (W.S.); (H.L.); (T.K.); (J.Y.); (Z.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.C.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory for Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-Breeding, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China
- Correspondence:
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Yuan X, Zhou X, Chen Z, He Y, Kong Y, Ye S, Gao N, Zhang Z, Zhang H, Li J. Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Analysis of Hypothalamus During the Onset of Puberty in Gilts. Front Genet 2019; 10:228. [PMID: 30941164 PMCID: PMC6433709 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although selection of the early age at puberty in gilts will make for a favorable effect on the reproductivity of sow, a large proportion of phenotypic variation in age at puberty of gilts cannot be explained by genetics. Previous studies have implicated hypothalamic DNA methylation in the onset of puberty in mammals. However, the underlying molecular mechanism regarding the regulation of the onset of puberty has remained largely unexplored in gilts. Herein, the genome-scale DNA methylation of hypothalamus was acquired, using the reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, to compare and describe the changes of DNA methylation across Pre-, In- and Post-pubertal gilts. In this study, the average methylation levels of CpGs and CpHs (where H = C, T, or A) in CpG islands- and gene-related regions were gradually decreased in hypothalamic methylomes during the pubertal transition. Comparisons of Pre- vs. In-, In- vs. Post-, and Pre- vs. Post-pubertal stage revealed that there were 85726, 92914, and 100421 differentially methylated CpGs and 5940, 14804, and 16893 differentially methylated CpHs (where H = C, T, or A) in the hypothalamic methylomes. The methylation changes of CpHs were more dynamic than that of CpGs, and methylation changes of CpGs and CpHs were likely to be, respectively, involved in the developmental processes of reproduction and the molecular processes of cellular communications in the hypothalamus. Moreover, methylation changes of CpHs were observed to overrepresent in the quantitative trait loci of age at puberty, and the biological function of these CpH methylation changes was enriched in the pancreas development in gilts. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of several differentially CpG or CpH methylated genes related to the transcription of RNA II polymerase, GnRH signaling pathway, Estrogen signaling pathway, PI3K-AKt signaling pathway, and Insulin signaling pathway, including MAX, MMP2, FGF11, IGF1R, FGF21, and GSK3B, were significantly changed across these pubertal stages in the hypothalamus. These results will help our understanding of how DNA methylation contributes to phenotypic variation of age at puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zitao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingting He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaru Kong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaopan Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Yuan X, Li Z, Ye S, Chen Z, Huang S, Zhong Y, Zhang H, Li J, Zhang Z. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of pituitaries during the initiation of puberty in gilts. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212630. [PMID: 30845225 PMCID: PMC6405085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been widely recognized that the early or delayed puberty appears to display harmful effects on adult health outcomes. During the timing of puberty, pituitaries responds to the hypothalamus and then introduce the following response of ovaries in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. DNA methylation has been recently suggested to regulate the onset of puberty in female mammals. However, to date, the changes of DNA methylation in pituitaries have not been investigated during pubertal transition. In this study, using gilts as the pubertal model, the genome-scale DNA methylation of pituitaries was profiled and compared across Pre-, In- and Post-puberty by using the reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. We found that average methylation levels of each genomic feature in Post- were lower than Pre- and In-pubertal stage in CpG context, but they were higher in In- than that in Pre- and Post-pubertal stage in CpH (where H = A, T, or C) context. The methylation patterns of CpHs were more dynamic than that of CpGs at the location of high CpG content, low CpG content promoter genes, and differently genomic CGIs. Furthermore, the differently genomic CGIs were likely to show in a similar manner in CpG context but display in a stage-specific manner in the CpH context across the Pre-, In- and Post-pubertal stage. Among these pubertal stages, 5 kb upstream regions of the transcription start sites were protected from both CpG and CpH methylation changes. 12.65% of detected CpGs were identified as the differentially methylated CpGs, regarding 4301 genes which were involved in the fundamental functions of pituitaries. 0.35% of detected CpHs were identified as differentially methylated CpHs, regarding 3691 genes which were involved in the biological functions of releasing gonadotropin hormones. These observations and analyses would provide valuable insights into epigenetic mechanism of the initiation of puberty in pituitary level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Yuan
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhonghui Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaopan Ye
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zitao Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuwen Huang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuyi Zhong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- * E-mail: (ZZ); (JL)
| | - Zhe Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- * E-mail: (ZZ); (JL)
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