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King AC, Zenker AK. Sex blind: bridging the gap between drug exposure and sex-related gene expression in Danio rerio using next-generation sequencing (NGS) data and a literature review to find the missing links in pharmaceutical and environmental toxicology studies. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 5:1187302. [PMID: 37398910 PMCID: PMC10312089 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1187302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The sex of both humans and Danio rerio has previously been shown to affect the way individuals respond to drug exposure. Genes which allow identification of sex in juvenile zebrafish show potential to reveal these confounding variables between sex in toxicological and preclinical trials but the link between these is so far missing. These sex-specific, early expressed genes where expression is not altered by drug exposure must be carefully selected for this purpose. We aimed to discover genes which can be used in pharmaceutical trials and environmental toxicology studies to uncover sex-related variations in gene expression with drug application using the model organism Danio rerio. Previously published early sex determining genes from King et al. were evaluated as well as additional genes selected from our zebrafish Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data which are known from previously published works not to be susceptible to changes in expression with drug exposure. NGS revealed a further ten female-specific genes (vtg1, cyp17a1, cyp19a1a, igf3, ftz-f1, gdf9, foxl2a, Nr0b1, ipo4, lhcgr) and five male related candidate genes (FKBP5, apobb1, hbaa1, dmrt1, spata6) which are also expressed in juvenile zebrafish, 28 days post fertilisation (dpf). Following this, a literature review was performed to classify which of these early-expressed sex specific genes are already known to be affected by drug exposure in order to determine candidate genes to be used in pharmaceutical trials or environmental toxicology testing studies. Discovery of these early sex-determining genes in Danio rerio will allow identification of sex-related responses to drug testing to improve sex-specific healthcare and the medical treatment of human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Armin K. Zenker
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts North-Western Switzerland (FHNW), Muttenz, Switzerland
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Takahashi T, Ogiwara K. cAMP signaling in ovarian physiology in teleosts: A review. Cell Signal 2023; 101:110499. [PMID: 36273754 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian function in teleosts, like in other vertebrates, is regulated by two distinct gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Gonadotropin effects are mediated by membrane-bound G protein-coupled receptors localized on the surface of follicle cells. Gonadotropin receptor activation results in increased intracellular cAMP, the most important second cellular signaling molecule. FSH stimulation induces the production of 17β-estradiol in the cells of growing follicles to promote vitellogenesis in oocytes. In contrast, in response to LH, fully grown post-vitellogenic follicles gain the ability to synthesize maturation-inducing steroids, which induce meiotic resumption and ovulation. All these events were induced downstream of cAMP. In this review, we summarize studies addressing the role of the cAMP pathway in gonadotropin-induced processes in teleost ovarian follicles. Furthermore, we discuss future problems concerning cAMP signaling in relation to teleost ovarian function and the differences and similarities in the gonadotropin-induced cAMP signaling pathways between mammals and teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Takahashi
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Katsueki Ogiwara
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
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3
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Das D, Arur S. Regulation of oocyte maturation: Role of conserved ERK signaling. Mol Reprod Dev 2022; 89:353-374. [PMID: 35908193 PMCID: PMC9492652 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
During oogenesis, oocytes arrest at meiotic prophase I to acquire competencies for resuming meiosis, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Following this arrested period, oocytes resume meiosis in response to species-specific hormones, a process known as oocyte maturation, that precedes ovulation and fertilization. Involvement of endocrine and autocrine/paracrine factors and signaling events during maintenance of prophase I arrest, and resumption of meiosis is an area of active research. Studies in vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms have delineated the molecular determinants and signaling pathways that regulate oocyte maturation. Cell cycle regulators, such as cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK1), polo-like kinase (PLK1), Wee1/Myt1 kinase, and the phosphatase CDC25 play conserved roles during meiotic resumption. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), on the other hand, while activated during oocyte maturation in all species, regulates both species-specific, as well as conserved events among different organisms. In this review, we synthesize the general signaling mechanisms and focus on conserved and distinct functions of ERK signaling pathway during oocyte maturation in mammals, non-mammalian vertebrates, and invertebrates such as Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debabrata Das
- Department of Genetics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Swathi Arur
- Department of Genetics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Zainal-Abidin RA, Afiqah-Aleng N, Abdullah-Zawawi MR, Harun S, Mohamed-Hussein ZA. Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) Network of Zebrafish Oestrogen Receptors: A Bioinformatics Workflow. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050650. [PMID: 35629318 PMCID: PMC9143887 DOI: 10.3390/life12050650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein–protein interaction (PPI) is involved in every biological process that occurs within an organism. The understanding of PPI is essential for deciphering the cellular behaviours in a particular organism. The experimental data from PPI methods have been used in constructing the PPI network. PPI network has been widely applied in biomedical research to understand the pathobiology of human diseases. It has also been used to understand the plant physiology that relates to crop improvement. However, the application of the PPI network in aquaculture is limited as compared to humans and plants. This review aims to demonstrate the workflow and step-by-step instructions for constructing a PPI network using bioinformatics tools and PPI databases that can help to predict potential interaction between proteins. We used zebrafish proteins, the oestrogen receptors (ERs) to build and analyse the PPI network. Thus, serving as a guide for future steps in exploring potential mechanisms on the organismal physiology of interest that ultimately benefit aquaculture research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nor Afiqah-Aleng
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus 21030, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (N.A.-A.); (Z.-A.M.-H.)
| | | | - Sarahani Harun
- Centre for Bioinformatics Research, Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia;
| | - Zeti-Azura Mohamed-Hussein
- Centre for Bioinformatics Research, Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia;
- Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (N.A.-A.); (Z.-A.M.-H.)
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Campbell JH, Dixon B, Whitehouse LM. The intersection of stress, sex and immunity in fishes. Immunogenetics 2021; 73:111-129. [PMID: 33426582 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-020-01194-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
While sexual dimorphism in immune responses has been documented in other vertebrates, evidence for a similar phenomenon in fish is lacking. Here, we review the relationship between immunity, stress, spawning, and sex hormones in fish to gain a better understanding of sex-based differences in fish immune responses and its consequences for aquaculture. It is well known that there is a strong link between the stress response and immune function in fish. In addition, research to date has demonstrated that sexual dimorphism in the stress response exists in many species; yet, the relationship between the sexual dimorphic stress responses and immune function has rarely been explored together. Aside from stress, spawning is also known to trigger changes in fish immune responses. Estrogens and androgens have been shown to modulate the immune system which could account for differences between the two sexes of fish when spawning; however, evidence regarding the sexual dimorphism of these changes varies between fishes and is likely related to the spawning strategy employed by a given species. Sex hormones are also used in aquaculture practices to produce monosex populations, and exposure to these hormones early in development has been shown to impact the development of immune organs in several fishes. While female fish are generally thought to be more robust than males, aquaculture practices should also consider the role that maternal stress has on the immune function of the offspring and what role this plays in compromising the immune response of farmed fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Campbell
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, USA
| | - Brian Dixon
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, USA.
| | - Lindy M Whitehouse
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, USA
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Wu XJ, Williams MJ, Kew KA, Converse A, Thomas P, Zhu Y. Reduced Vitellogenesis and Female Fertility in Gper Knockout Zebrafish. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:637691. [PMID: 33790865 PMCID: PMC8006473 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.637691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) plays in vertebrate reproduction remains controversial. To investigate GPER's reproductive role, we generated a gper zebrafish mutant line (gper-/- ) using TALENs. Gper mutant females exhibited reduced fertility with a 40.85% decrease in embryo production which was associated with a significant decrease in the number of Stage V (730-750 μm) ovulated oocytes. Correspondingly, the number of early vitellogenic follicles (Stage III, 400-450 µm) in gper-/- ovaries was greater than that in wildtypes (wt), suggesting that subsequent follicle development was retarded in the gper-/- fish. Moreover, plasma vitellogenin levels were decreased in gper-/- females, and epidermal growth factor receptor (Egfr) expression was lower in Stage III vitellogenic oocytes than in wt counterparts. However, hepatic nuclear estrogen receptor levels were not altered, and estrogen levels were elevated in ovarian follicles. These results suggest that Gper is involved in the control of ovarian follicle development via regulation of vitellogenesis and Egfr expression in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Jun Wu
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | | | - Kimberly Ann Kew
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Aubrey Converse
- Marine Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas, TX, United States
| | - Peter Thomas
- Marine Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Yong Zhu, ; Peter Thomas,
| | - Yong Zhu
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Yong Zhu, ; Peter Thomas,
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King AC, Gut M, Zenker AK. Shedding new light on early sex determination in zebrafish. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:4143-4158. [PMID: 32975586 PMCID: PMC7655572 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02915-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to established zebrafish gene annotations, the question of sex determination has still not been conclusively clarified for developing zebrafish, Danio rerio, larvae, 28 dpf or earlier. Recent studies indicate polygenic sex determination (PSD), with the genes being distributed throughout the genome. Early genetic markers of sex in zebrafish help unravel co-founding sex-related differences to apply to human health and environmental toxicity studies. A qPCR-based method was developed for six genes: cytochrome P450, family 17, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (cyp17a1); cytochrome P450, family 19, subfamily A, polypeptide 1a (cyp19a1a); cytochrome P450, family 19, subfamily A, polypeptides 1b (cyp19a1b); vitellogenin 1 (vtg1); nuclear receptor subfamily 0, group B, member 1 (nr0b1), sry (sex-determining region Y)-box 9b (sox9b) and actin, beta 1 (actb1), the reference gene. Sry-box 9a (Sox9a), insulin-like growth factor 3 (igf3) and double sex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (dmrt1), which are also known to be associated with sex determination, were used in gene expression tests. Additionally, Next-Generation-Sequencing (NGS) sequenced the genome of two adult female and male and two juveniles. PCR analysis of adult zebrafish revealed sex-specific expression of cyp17a1, cyp19a1a, vtg1, igf3 and dmrt1, the first four strongly expressed in female zebrafish and the last one highly expressed in male conspecifics. From NGS, nine female and four male-fated genes were selected as novel for assessing zebrafish sex, 28 dpf. Differences in transcriptomes allowed allocation of sex-specific genes also expressed in juvenile zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex C King
- FHNW, University of Applied Sciences and Arts North-Western Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, Institute for Ecopreneurship, Hofackerstrasse 30, 4132, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Michelle Gut
- FHNW, University of Applied Sciences and Arts North-Western Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, Institute for Ecopreneurship, Hofackerstrasse 30, 4132, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Armin K Zenker
- FHNW, University of Applied Sciences and Arts North-Western Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, Institute for Ecopreneurship, Hofackerstrasse 30, 4132, Muttenz, Switzerland.
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Zhu M, Shen Q, Li X, Kang J. Removal of peri-ovarian adipose tissue affects follicular development and lipid metabolism†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:1199-1208. [PMID: 32813010 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and maturity of follicles are regulated by sex hormones and growth factors. It has been proven that peri-ovarian adipose tissue (POAT) plays an important role in folliculogenesis and fertility in the female ICR and KM mice. The aim of the present study was to further investigate whether the removal of bilateral POAT affected follicular development and lipid metabolism in the female C57BL/6 J mice. Female C57BL/6 J mice at 6-week old were sham-operated (Sham) or removed bilateral POAT (Surgery). After 2 weeks, the mice were subjected to the body composition analysis and indirect calorimetry measurement. Our results show that the Surgery mice exhibited abnormal follicular development, including increased follicular dysplasia and atresia, decreased serum sex hormone levels, and abnormal expression of follicular development-related genes. Correspondingly, the endometrial thickness of the Surgery mice was less than the Sham mice. In addition, the Surgery mice had abnormal lipid metabolism, including reduced fat mass, increased energy expenditure, and up-regulated gene and protein expression involved in lipolysis. These data confirmed the importance of POAT in the follicular development in the female reproduction and suggested the contribution of POAT to the whole-body lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menliang Zhu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyang Shen
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolian Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jihong Kang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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Xu YD, Yang YQ, Zheng YJ. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor, a potential therapeutic target of asthma probed by Chinese herb. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:13-16. [PMID: 32480427 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3ce0420-133r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Discussion on the identification of GPER as a potential therapeutic target for asthma through Chinese herb-driven drug discovery strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Dong Xu
- Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Qing Yang
- Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue-Juan Zheng
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Immunology Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Li J, Ge W. Zebrafish as a model for studying ovarian development: Recent advances from targeted gene knockout studies. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 507:110778. [PMID: 32142861 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian development is a complex process controlled by precise coordination of multiple factors. The targeted gene knockout technique is a powerful tool to study the functions of these factors. The successful application of this technique in mice in the past three decades has significantly enhanced our understanding on the molecular mechanism of ovarian development. Recently, with the advent of genome editing techniques, targeted gene knockout research can be carried out in many species. Zebrafish has emerged as an excellent model system to study the control of ovarian development. Dozens of genes related to ovarian development have been knocked out in zebrafish in recent years. Much new information and perspectives on the molecular mechanism of ovarian development have been obtained from these mutant zebrafish. Some findings have challenged conventional views. Several genes have been identified for the first time in vertebrates to control ovarian development. Focusing on ovarian development, the purpose of this review is to briefly summarize recent findings using these gene knockout zebrafish models, and compare these findings with mammalian models. These established mutants and rapid development of gene knockout techniques have prompted zebrafish as an ideal animal model for studying ovarian development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhen Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China, 730070.
| | - Wei Ge
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China.
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