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Tang Q, Su Q, Wei L, Wang K, Jiang T. Identifying potential biomarkers for non-obstructive azoospermia using WGCNA and machine learning algorithms. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1108616. [PMID: 37854191 PMCID: PMC10579891 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1108616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The cause and mechanism of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is complicated; therefore, an effective therapy strategy is yet to be developed. This study aimed to analyse the pathogenesis of NOA at the molecular biological level and to identify the core regulatory genes, which could be utilised as potential biomarkers. Methods Three NOA microarray datasets (GSE45885, GSE108886, and GSE145467) were collected from the GEO database and merged into training sets; a further dataset (GSE45887) was then defined as the validation set. Differential gene analysis, consensus cluster analysis, and WGCNA were used to identify preliminary signature genes; then, enrichment analysis was applied to these previously screened signature genes. Next, 4 machine learning algorithms (RF, SVM, GLM, and XGB) were used to detect potential biomarkers that are most closely associated with NOA. Finally, a diagnostic model was constructed from these potential biomarkers and visualised as a nomogram. The differential expression and predictive reliability of the biomarkers were confirmed using the validation set. Furthermore, the competing endogenous RNA network was constructed to identify the regulatory mechanisms of potential biomarkers; further, the CIBERSORT algorithm was used to calculate immune infiltration status among the samples. Results A total of 215 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between NOA and control groups (27 upregulated and 188 downregulated genes). The WGCNA results identified 1123 genes in the MEblue module as target genes that are highly correlated with NOA positivity. The NOA samples were divided into 2 clusters using consensus clustering; further, 1027 genes in the MEblue module, which were screened by WGCNA, were considered to be target genes that are highly correlated with NOA classification. The 129 overlapping genes were then established as signature genes. The XGB algorithm that had the maximum AUC value (AUC=0.946) and the minimum residual value was used to further screen the signature genes. IL20RB, C9orf117, HILS1, PAOX, and DZIP1 were identified as potential NOA biomarkers. This 5 biomarker model had the highest AUC value, of up to 0.982, compared to other single biomarker models; additionally, the results of this biomarker model were verified in the validation set. Conclusions As IL20RB, C9orf117, HILS1, PAOX, and DZIP1 have been determined to possess the strongest association with NOA, these five genes could be used as potential therapeutic targets for NOA patients. Furthermore, the model constructed using these five genes, which possessed the highest diagnostic accuracy, may be an effective biomarker model that warrants further experimental validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qizhen Tang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Quanxin Su
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Letian Wei
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Kenan Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Andrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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2
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Beckers A, Fuhl F, Ott T, Boldt K, Brislinger MM, Walentek P, Schuster-Gossler K, Hegermann J, Alten L, Kremmer E, Przykopanski A, Serth K, Ueffing M, Blum M, Gossler A. The highly conserved FOXJ1 target CFAP161 is dispensable for motile ciliary function in mouse and Xenopus. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13333. [PMID: 34172766 PMCID: PMC8233316 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92495-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cilia are protrusions of the cell surface and composed of hundreds of proteins many of which are evolutionary and functionally well conserved. In cells assembling motile cilia the expression of numerous ciliary components is under the control of the transcription factor FOXJ1. Here, we analyse the evolutionary conserved FOXJ1 target CFAP161 in Xenopus and mouse. In both species Cfap161 expression correlates with the presence of motile cilia and depends on FOXJ1. Tagged CFAP161 localises to the basal bodies of multiciliated cells of the Xenopus larval epidermis, and in mice CFAP161 protein localises to the axoneme. Surprisingly, disruption of the Cfap161 gene in both species did not lead to motile cilia-related phenotypes, which contrasts with the conserved expression in cells carrying motile cilia and high sequence conservation. In mice mutation of Cfap161 stabilised the mutant mRNA making genetic compensation triggered by mRNA decay unlikely. However, genes related to microtubules and cilia, microtubule motor activity and inner dyneins were dysregulated, which might buffer the Cfap161 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Beckers
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Franziska Fuhl
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tim Ott
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Karsten Boldt
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Magdalena Maria Brislinger
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.,Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg University Faculty of Medicine & CIBSS-Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Habsburger Str. 49, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Walentek
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg University Faculty of Medicine & CIBSS-Centre for Integrative Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, Habsburger Str. 49, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Karin Schuster-Gossler
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Hegermann
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Research Core Unit Electron Microscopy, OE8840, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Leonie Alten
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Twist Bioscience, 681 Gateway Blvd South, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Elisabeth Kremmer
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Core Facility Monoclonal Antibodies, Marchioninistr. 25, 81377, München, Germany.,Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Großhaderner Straße 2, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Adina Przykopanski
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Institute for Toxicology, OE 5340, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katrin Serth
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Blum
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Achim Gossler
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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3
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Lin H, Zhou Z, Zhao J, Zhou T, Bai H, Ke Q, Pu F, Zheng W, Xu P. Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Genomic Loci of Sex Determination and Gonadosomatic Index Traits in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea). MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 23:127-139. [PMID: 33196953 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-020-10007-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Larimichthys crocea is one of the traditional marine culture fishes in China, widely distributed in South China Sea, East Sea, and southern Yellow Sea. Sex dimorphism is evident in this species that females present a substantial growth strength than males, suggesting breeding females could obtain more economic benefits in L. crocea aquaculture industry. With the continuous expansion of aquaculture industry, both identifying sex-associated genome region and understanding the genetic basis underlying gonad differentiation and development matter to not only sex control aquaculture but also breeding industry. Thus, genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) of sex determination was conducted with a random breeding population of 905 individuals (including 463 females and 442 males) by ddRAD sequencing. For sex determination, 21 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in chromosome (Chr) 22 were identified. Surrounding these SNPs, we founded 14 candidate genes, including dmrt1, dmrt3, and piwil2, fam102a, and odf2. The sex-associated region was narrowed down further to 2.4 Mb on Chr22 through Fst scanning and insertion-deletion (InDel) analysis. Besides, 3 SNPs in the supposed sex-determining region on Chr22 were identified as highly associated with gonad differentiation through GWAS on gonadosomatic index (GSI) in 350 males and 231 females. Because of the significant difference of GSI between females and males of L. crocea, GWAS on GSI of different genders was also conducted independently. Finally, we identified a SNP in Chr18 showing genome-wide significant association with male GSI (MGSI) and three genes axl, cyp2a10, and cyp2g1 involved in the gonadal development regulation process of aromatase. Overall, this study explored the genetic basis of sex determination mechanism and provided novel insights into gonad differentiation and development, offering solid genetic support for sex control breeding, marker-assisted selection, and marine resources conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanling Lin
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhixiong Zhou
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ji Zhao
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Huaqiang Bai
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qiaozhen Ke
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Company Limited, Ningde, China
| | - Fei Pu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Weiqiang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Company Limited, Ningde, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Company Limited, Ningde, China.
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Androglobin gene expression patterns and FOXJ1-dependent regulation indicate its functional association with ciliogenesis. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100291. [PMID: 33453283 PMCID: PMC7949040 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Androglobin (ADGB) represents the latest addition to the globin superfamily in metazoans. The chimeric protein comprises a calpain domain and a unique circularly permutated globin domain. ADGB expression levels are most abundant in mammalian testis, but its cell-type-specific expression, regulation, and function have remained unexplored. Analyzing bulk and single-cell mRNA-Seq data from mammalian tissues, we found that—in addition to the testes—ADGB is prominently expressed in the female reproductive tract, lungs, and brain, specifically being associated with cell types forming motile cilia. Correlation analysis suggested coregulation of ADGB with FOXJ1, a crucial transcription factor of ciliogenesis. Investigating the transcriptional regulation of the ADGB gene, we characterized its promoter using epigenomic datasets, exogenous promoter-dependent luciferase assays, and CRISPR/dCas9-VPR-mediated activation approaches. Reporter gene assays revealed that FOXJ1 indeed substantially enhanced luciferase activity driven by the ADGB promoter. ChIP assays confirmed binding of FOXJ1 to the endogenous ADGB promoter region. We dissected the minimal sequence required for FOXJ1-dependent regulation and fine mapped the FOXJ1 binding site to two evolutionarily conserved regions within the ADGB promoter. FOXJ1 overexpression significantly increased endogenous ADGB mRNA levels in HEK293 and MCF-7 cells. Similar results were observed upon RFX2 overexpression, another key transcription factor in ciliogenesis. The complex transcriptional regulation of the ADGB locus was illustrated by identifying a distal enhancer, responsible for synergistic regulation by RFX2 and FOXJ1. Finally, cell culture studies indicated an ADGB-dependent increase in the number of ciliated cells upon overexpression of the full-length protein, confirming a ciliogenesis-associated role of ADGB in mammals.
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5
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Lee L, Ostrowski LE. Motile cilia genetics and cell biology: big results from little mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 78:769-797. [PMID: 32915243 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03633-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of motile cilia and their role in disease has increased tremendously over the last two decades, with critical information and insight coming from the analysis of mouse models. Motile cilia form on specific epithelial cell types and typically beat in a coordinated, whip-like manner to facilitate the flow and clearance of fluids along the cell surface. Defects in formation and function of motile cilia result in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a genetically heterogeneous disorder with a well-characterized phenotype but no effective treatment. A number of model systems, ranging from unicellular eukaryotes to mammals, have provided information about the genetics, biochemistry, and structure of motile cilia. However, with remarkable resources available for genetic manipulation and developmental, pathological, and physiological analysis of phenotype, the mouse has risen to the forefront of understanding mammalian motile cilia and modeling PCD. This is evidenced by a large number of relevant mouse lines and an extensive body of genetic and phenotypic data. More recently, application of innovative cell biological techniques to these models has enabled substantial advancement in elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the biogenesis and function of mammalian motile cilia. In this article, we will review genetic and cell biological studies of motile cilia in mouse models and their contributions to our understanding of motile cilia and PCD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance Lee
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine of the University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
| | - Lawrence E Ostrowski
- Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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6
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Long JA. The ‘omics’ revolution: Use of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic tools to predict male reproductive traits that impact fertility in livestock and poultry. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 220:106354. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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7
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Moi D, Kilchoer L, Aguilar PS, Dessimoz C. Scalable phylogenetic profiling using MinHash uncovers likely eukaryotic sexual reproduction genes. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007553. [PMID: 32697802 PMCID: PMC7423146 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Phylogenetic profiling is a computational method to predict genes involved in the same biological process by identifying protein families which tend to be jointly lost or retained across the tree of life. Phylogenetic profiling has customarily been more widely used with prokaryotes than eukaryotes, because the method is thought to require many diverse genomes. There are now many eukaryotic genomes available, but these are considerably larger, and typical phylogenetic profiling methods require at least quadratic time as a function of the number of genes. We introduce a fast, scalable phylogenetic profiling approach entitled HogProf, which leverages hierarchical orthologous groups for the construction of large profiles and locality-sensitive hashing for efficient retrieval of similar profiles. We show that the approach outperforms Enhanced Phylogenetic Tree, a phylogeny-based method, and use the tool to reconstruct networks and query for interactors of the kinetochore complex as well as conserved proteins involved in sexual reproduction: Hap2, Spo11 and Gex1. HogProf enables large-scale phylogenetic profiling across the three domains of life, and will be useful to predict biological pathways among the hundreds of thousands of eukaryotic species that will become available in the coming few years. HogProf is available at https://github.com/DessimozLab/HogProf. Genes that are involved in the same biological process tend to co-evolve. This property is exploited by the technique of phylogenetic profiling, which identifies co-evolving (and therefore likely functionally related) genes through patterns of correlated gene retention and loss in evolution and across species. However, conventional methods to computing and clustering these correlated genes do not scale with increasing numbers of genomes. HogProf is a novel phylogenetic profiling tool built on probabilistic data structures. It allows the user to construct searchable databases containing the evolutionary history of hundreds of thousands of protein families. Such fast detection of coevolution takes advantage of the rapidly increasing amount of genomic data publicly available, and can uncover unknown biological networks and guide in-vivo research and experimentation. We have applied our tool to describe the biological networks underpinning sexual reproduction in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Moi
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (DM); (CD)
| | - Laurent Kilchoer
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pablo S. Aguilar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnologicas (IIBIO), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Christophe Dessimoz
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (DM); (CD)
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8
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Beckers A, Adis C, Schuster-Gossler K, Tveriakhina L, Ott T, Fuhl F, Hegermann J, Boldt K, Serth K, Rachev E, Alten L, Kremmer E, Ueffing M, Blum M, Gossler A. The FOXJ1 target Cfap206 is required for sperm motility, mucociliary clearance of the airways and brain development. Development 2020; 147:dev.188052. [PMID: 32376681 DOI: 10.1242/dev.188052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cilia are complex cellular protrusions consisting of hundreds of proteins. Defects in ciliary structure and function, many of which have not been characterised molecularly, cause ciliopathies: a heterogeneous group of human syndromes. Here, we report on the FOXJ1 target gene Cfap206, orthologues of which so far have only been studied in Chlamydomonas and Tetrahymena In mouse and Xenopus, Cfap206 was co-expressed with and dependent on Foxj1 CFAP206 protein localised to the basal body and to the axoneme of motile cilia. In Xenopus crispant larvae, the ciliary beat frequency of skin multiciliated cells was enhanced and bead transport across the epidermal mucociliary epithelium was reduced. Likewise, Cfap206 knockout mice revealed ciliary phenotypes. Electron tomography of immotile knockout mouse sperm flagella indicated a role in radial spoke formation reminiscent of FAP206 function in Tetrahymena Male infertility, hydrocephalus and impaired mucociliary clearance of the airways in the absence of laterality defects in Cfap206 mutant mice suggests that Cfap206 may represent a candidate for the subgroup of human primary ciliary dyskinesias caused by radial spoke defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Beckers
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Adis
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Karin Schuster-Gossler
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Lena Tveriakhina
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Tim Ott
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Franziska Fuhl
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jan Hegermann
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, OE8840, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Karsten Boldt
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katrin Serth
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ev Rachev
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Leonie Alten
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kremmer
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Core Facility Monoclonal Antibodies, Marchioninistr. 25, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Blum
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Achim Gossler
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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9
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A framework for high-resolution phenotyping of candidate male infertility mutants: from human to mouse. Hum Genet 2020; 140:155-182. [PMID: 32248361 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02159-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility is a heterogeneous condition of largely unknown etiology that affects at least 7% of men worldwide. Classical genetic approaches and emerging next-generation sequencing studies support genetic variants as a frequent cause of male infertility. Meanwhile, the barriers to transmission of this disease mean that most individual genetic cases will be rare, but because of the large percentage of the genome required for spermatogenesis, the number of distinct causal mutations is potentially large. Identifying bona fide causes of male infertility thus requires advanced filtering techniques to select for high-probability candidates, including the ability to test causality in animal models. The mouse remains the gold standard for defining the genotype-phenotype connection in male fertility. Here, we present a best practice guide consisting of (a) major points to consider when interpreting next-generation sequencing data performed on infertile men, and, (b) a systematic strategy to categorize infertility types and how they relate to human male infertility. Phenotyping infertility in mice can involve investigating the function of multiple cell types across the testis and epididymis, as well as sperm function. These findings will feed into the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility as well as male health broadly.
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10
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Dolebo AT, Khayatzadeh N, Melesse A, Wragg D, Rekik M, Haile A, Rischkowsky B, Rothschild MF, Mwacharo JM. Genome-wide scans identify known and novel regions associated with prolificacy and reproduction traits in a sub-Saharan African indigenous sheep (Ovis aries). Mamm Genome 2019; 30:339-352. [PMID: 31758253 PMCID: PMC6884434 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-019-09820-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Maximizing the number of offspring born per female is a key functionality trait in commercial- and/or subsistence-oriented livestock enterprises. Although the number of offspring born is closely associated with female fertility and reproductive success, the genetic control of these traits remains poorly understood in sub-Saharan Africa livestock. Using selection signature analysis performed on Ovine HD BeadChip data from the prolific Bonga sheep in Ethiopia, 41 candidate regions under selection were identified. The analysis revealed one strong selection signature on a candidate region on chromosome X spanning BMP15, suggesting this to be the primary candidate prolificacy gene in the breed. The analysis also identified several candidate regions spanning genes not reported before in prolific sheep but underlying fertility and reproduction in other species. The genes associated with female reproduction traits included SPOCK1 (age at first oestrus), GPR173 (mediator of ovarian cyclicity), HB-EGF (signalling early pregnancy success) and SMARCAL1 and HMGN3a (regulate gene expression during embryogenesis). The genes involved in male reproduction were FOXJ1 (sperm function and successful fertilization) and NME5 (spermatogenesis). We also observed genes such as PKD2L2, MAGED1 and KDM3B, which have been associated with diverse fertility traits in both sexes of other species. The results confirm the complexity of the genetic mechanisms underlying reproduction while suggesting that prolificacy in the Bonga sheep, and possibly African indigenous sheep is partly under the control of BMP15 while other genes that enhance male and female fertility are essential for reproductive fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asrat Tera Dolebo
- Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), P.O. Box 06, Hawassa, Ethiopia
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Negar Khayatzadeh
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Division of Livestock Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Gregor-Mendel-Strasse, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aberra Melesse
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - David Wragg
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, The Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mourad Rekik
- Small Ruminant Genomics, International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Aynalem Haile
- Small Ruminant Genomics, International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Barbara Rischkowsky
- Small Ruminant Genomics, International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Max F Rothschild
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, 2255 Kildee Hall, Ames, IA, 50011-3150, USA
| | - Joram M Mwacharo
- Small Ruminant Genomics, International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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11
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Blum M, Ott T. Mechanical strain, novel genes and evolutionary insights: news from the frog left-right organizer. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2019; 56:8-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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12
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Lehti MS, Sironen A. Formation and function of sperm tail structures in association with sperm motility defects†. Biol Reprod 2017; 97:522-536. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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13
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Walz G. Role of primary cilia in non-dividing and post-mitotic cells. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 369:11-25. [PMID: 28361305 PMCID: PMC5487853 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2599-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The essential role of primary (non-motile) cilia during the development of multi-cellular tissues and organs is well established and is underlined by severe disease manifestations caused by mutations in cilia-associated molecules that are collectively termed ciliopathies. However, the role of primary cilia in non-dividing and terminally differentiated, post-mitotic cells is less well understood. Although the prevention of cells from re-entering the cell cycle may represent a major chore, primary cilia have recently been linked to DNA damage responses, autophagy and mitochondria. Given this connectivity, primary cilia in non-dividing cells are well positioned to form a signaling hub outside of the nucleus. Such a center could integrate information to initiate responses and to maintain cellular homeostasis if cell survival is jeopardized. These more discrete functions may remain undetected until differentiated cells are confronted with emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerd Walz
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University Freiburg Medical Center, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
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14
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Stauber M, Boldt K, Wrede C, Weidemann M, Kellner M, Schuster-Gossler K, Kühnel MP, Hegermann J, Ueffing M, Gossler A. 1700012B09Rik, a FOXJ1 effector gene active in ciliated tissues of the mouse but not essential for motile ciliogenesis. Dev Biol 2017; 429:186-199. [PMID: 28666954 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In humans and mice, motile cilia occur on the surface of the embryonic ventral node, on respiratory and ependymal epithelia and in reproductive organs where they ensure normal left-right asymmetry of the organism, mucociliary clearance of airways, homeostasis of the cerebrospinal fluid and fertility. The genetic programme for the formation of motile cilia, thus critical for normal development and health, is switched on by the key transcription factor FOXJ1. In previous microarray screens for murine FOXJ1 effectors, we identified candidates for novel factors involved in motile ciliogenesis, including both genes that are well conserved throughout metazoa and beyond, like FOXJ1 itself, and genes without overt homologues outside higher vertebrates. Here we examine one of the novel murine FOXJ1 effectors, the uncharacterised 1700012B09Rik whose homologues appear to be restricted to higher vertebrates. In mouse embryos and adults, 1700012B09Rik is predominantly expressed in motile ciliated tissues in a FOXJ1-dependent manner. 1700012B09RIK protein localises to basal bodies of cilia in cultured cells. Detailed analysis of 1700012B09RiklacZ knock-out mice reveals no impaired function of motile cilia or non-motile cilia. In conclusion, this novel FOXJ1 effector is associated mainly with motile cilia but - in contrast to other known FOXJ1 targets - its putative ciliary function is not essential for development or health in the mouse, consistent with a late emergence during evolution of motile ciliogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Stauber
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Karsten Boldt
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Wrede
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, OE8840, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Germany
| | - Marina Weidemann
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover, Germany
| | - Manuela Kellner
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, OE8840, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Germany
| | - Karin Schuster-Gossler
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mark Philipp Kühnel
- Institute for Pathology, OE5110, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Germany
| | - Jan Hegermann
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, OE8840, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Germany
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Achim Gossler
- Institute for Molecular Biology, OE5250, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover, Germany
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