1
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Prasasya RD, Caldwell BA, Liu Z, Wu S, Leu NA, Fowler JM, Cincotta SA, Laird DJ, Kohli RM, Bartolomei MS. Iterative oxidation by TET1 is required for reprogramming of imprinting control regions and patterning of mouse sperm hypomethylated regions. Dev Cell 2024; 59:1010-1027.e8. [PMID: 38569549 PMCID: PMC11042979 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes iteratively oxidize 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to generate 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine to facilitate active genome demethylation. Whether these bases are required to promote replication-coupled dilution or activate base excision repair during mammalian germline reprogramming remains unresolved due to the inability to decouple TET activities. Here, we generated two mouse lines expressing catalytically inactive TET1 (Tet1-HxD) and TET1 that stalls oxidation at 5hmC (Tet1-V). Tet1 knockout and catalytic mutant primordial germ cells (PGCs) fail to erase methylation at select imprinting control regions and promoters of meiosis-associated genes, validating the requirement for the iterative oxidation of 5mC for complete germline reprogramming. TET1V and TET1HxD rescue most hypermethylation of Tet1-/- sperm, suggesting the role of TET1 beyond its oxidative capability. We additionally identify a broader class of hypermethylated regions in Tet1 mutant mouse sperm that depend on TET oxidation for reprogramming. Our study demonstrates the link between TET1-mediated germline reprogramming and sperm methylome patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rexxi D Prasasya
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Blake A Caldwell
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zhengfeng Liu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Songze Wu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - N Adrian Leu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Johanna M Fowler
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Steven A Cincotta
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 84143, USA
| | - Diana J Laird
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 84143, USA
| | - Rahul M Kohli
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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2
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Li X, Jin H, Lv Y, Liu C, Luo X, Liu J, Zhang Q, Yu Y, Zhao Z. Analysis of microRNA expression profiles during the differentiation of chicken embryonic stem cells into male germ cells. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:1120-1131. [PMID: 35020556 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2021.2013858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into germ cells in vitro could have very promising applications for infertility treatment and could provide an excellent model for uncovering the molecular mechanisms of germline generation. This study aimed to investigate the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) during the differentiation of chicken ESCs (cESCs) into male germ cells and to establish a profile of the DEMs. Cells before and after induction were subjected to miRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq). A total of 113 DEMs were obtained, including 61 upregulated and 52 downregulated DEMs. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that the target genes were enriched mainly in the MAPK signaling pathway, HTLV infection signaling pathway, cell adhesion molecule (CAM)-related pathways, viral myocarditis, Wnt signaling pathway, ABC transporters, TGF-β signaling pathways, Notch signaling pathways and insulin signaling pathway. The target genes of the miRNAs were related to cell binding, cell parts and biological regulatory processes. Six DEMs, let-7k-5p, miR-132c-5p, miR-193a-5p, miR-202-5p, miR-383-5p and miR-6553-3p, were assessed by qRT-PCR, and the results were consistent with the results of miRNA-seq. Based on qRT-PCR and western blot verification, miR-383-5p and its putative target gene STRN3 were selected to construct an STRN3 3'-UTR dual-luciferase gene reporter vector and its mutant vector. The double luciferase reporter activity of the cotransfected STRN3-WT + miR-383-5p mimics group was significantly lower (by approximately 46%) than that of the other five groups (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in luciferase activity among the other 5 groups. This study establishes a DEM profile during the process of cESC differentiation into male germ cells; illustrates the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate target genes; provides a theoretical basis for further research on the mechanisms of the formation and regulation of male germ cells; and provides an important strategy for gene editing, animal genetic resource protection and transgenic animal production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gong Zhu Ling, China
| | - Haiguo Jin
- Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gong Zhu Ling, China
| | - Yang Lv
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Chen Liu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gong Zhu Ling, China
| | - Xiaotong Luo
- Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Jianqiang Liu
- Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gong Zhu Ling, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gong Zhu Ling, China
| | - Yongsheng Yu
- Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gong Zhu Ling, China
| | - Zhongli Zhao
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gong Zhu Ling, China
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3
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Ko CF, Chang YC, Cho HC, Yu J. The Puf-A Protein Is Required for Primordial Germ Cell Development. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091476. [PMID: 35563782 PMCID: PMC9105799 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Puf-A, a nucleolar Puf domain protein, is required for ribosome biogenesis. A study of Puf-A in zebrafish has shown that Puf-A is highly expressed in primordial germ cells (PGCs) and participates in PGC development. However, it remains unclear how Puf-A governs PGC development in mammals. Here, we generated transgenic mice carrying inducible Puf-A shRNA and obtained double heterozygous mice with Puf-A shRNA and Oct4-EGFP to examine the behavior of PGCs. It was found that the knockdown of Puf-A led to the loss of a considerable number of PGCs and a slowdown of the movement of the remaining PGCs. Puf-A and NPM1 colocalized in clusters in the nuclei of the PGCs. The silencing of Puf-A resulted in the translocation of NPM1 from nucleolus to nucleoplasm and the hyperactivation of p53 in the PGCs. The PGCs in Puf-A knockdown embryos showed a significant increase in subpopulations of PGCs at G1 arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, the expression of essential genes associated with PGC maintenance was decreased in the Puf-A knockdown PGCs. Our study showed that Puf-A governed PGC development by regulating the growth, survival, and maintenance of PGCs. We also observed the alterations of NPM1 and p53 upon Puf-A knockdown to be consistent with the previous study in cancer cells, which might explain the molecular mechanism for the role of Puf-A in PGC development.
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4
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Luo Y, Yu Y. Research Advances in Gametogenesis and Embryogenesis Using Pluripotent Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:801468. [PMID: 35127717 PMCID: PMC8810640 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.801468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The previous studies of human gametogenesis and embryogenesis have left many unanswered questions, which hinders the understanding of the physiology of these two vital processes and the development of diagnosis and treatment strategies for related diseases. Although many results have been obtained from animal studies, particularly mouse research, the results cannot be fully applied to humans due to species differences in physiology and pathology. However, due to ethical and material limitations, the direct study of human gametes and embryos is very difficult. The emergence and rapid development of organoids allow the construction of organoid systems that simulate gametogenesis and embryogenesis in vitro, and many studies have successfully established organoid systems for some parts of or even the entire processes of gametogenesis and embryogenesis. These studies typically start with the establishment of mouse models and then modify these models to obtain human organoid models. These organoid models can be used to obtain a better understanding of the signaling pathways, molecular mechanisms, genetics, and epigenetic changes involved in gametogenesis and embryogenesis and could also be applied to clinical applications, such as drug screening. Here, we discuss the formation of primordial stem cell-like cells (PGCLCs), and in vitro-induced gametes and embryoids using pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). We also analyze their applications and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Luo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Yu,
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5
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Rossant J, Tam PP. Early human embryonic development: Blastocyst formation to gastrulation. Dev Cell 2022; 57:152-165. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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6
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Pui HP, Deng Q. In Vitro Differentiation of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) into Primordial Germ Cell-like Cells (PGCLCs). Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2490:213-233. [PMID: 35486249 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2281-0_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability to generate primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) has enabled in vitro investigation of the molecular mechanisms regulating this process without the use of a mouse model. Here we describe the procedures from the culture of ESCs to the detection of PGCLCs in the embryoid bodies (spheroids).
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Pin Pui
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qiaolin Deng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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7
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Di Giovannantonio LG, Acampora D, Omodei D, Nigro V, Barba P, Barbieri E, Chambers I, Simeone A. Direct repression of Nanog and Oct4 by OTX2 modulates the contribution of epiblast-derived cells to germline and somatic lineage. Development 2021; 148:263923. [PMID: 33999993 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, the pre-gastrula proximal epiblast gives rise to primordial germ cells (PGCs) or somatic precursors in response to BMP4 and WNT signaling. Entry into the germline requires activation of a naïve-like pluripotency gene regulatory network (GRN). Recent work has shown that suppression of OTX2 expression in the epiblast by BMP4 allows cells to develop a PGC fate in a precise temporal window. However, the mechanisms by which OTX2 suppresses PGC fate are unknown. Here, we show that, in mice, OTX2 prevents epiblast cells from activating the pluripotency GRN by direct repression of Oct4 and Nanog. Loss of this control during PGC differentiation in vitro causes widespread activation of the pluripotency GRN and a deregulated response to LIF, BMP4 and WNT signaling. These abnormalities, in specific cell culture conditions, result in massive germline entry at the expense of somatic mesoderm differentiation. Increased generation of PGCs also occurs in mutant embryos. We propose that the OTX2-mediated repressive control of Oct4 and Nanog is the basis of the mechanism that determines epiblast contribution to germline and somatic lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dario Acampora
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'Adriano Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Omodei
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'Adriano Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy.,Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Tommaso De Amicis, 95, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80087 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Pasquale Barba
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'Adriano Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Elisa Barbieri
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK.,Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian Chambers
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK.,Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Antonio Simeone
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'Adriano Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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8
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Bharti D, Tikka M, Lee SY, Bok EY, Lee HJ, Rho GJ. Female Germ Cell Development, Functioning and Associated Adversities under Unfavorable Circumstances. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041979. [PMID: 33671303 PMCID: PMC7922109 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present era, infertility is one of the major issues which restricts many couples to have their own children. Infertility is the inability to achieve a clinical pregnancy after regular unprotected sexual intercourse for the period of one year or more. Various factors including defective male or female germ cell development, unhealthy and improper lifestyles, diseases like cancer and associated chemo-or-radiation therapies, congenital disorders, etc., may be responsible for infertility. Therefore, it is highly important to understand the basic concepts of germ cell development including primordial germ cell (PGC) formation, specification, migration, entry to genital ridges and their molecular mechanisms, activated pathways, paracrine and autocrine signaling, along with possible alteration which can hamper germ cell development and can cause adversities like cancer progression and infertility. Knowing all these aspects in a proper way can be very much helpful in improving our understanding about gametogenesis and finding possible ways to cure related disorders. Here in this review, various aspects of gametogenesis especially female gametes and relevant factors causing functional impairment have been thoroughly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Bharti
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea; (D.B.); (S.-Y.L.); (E.-Y.B.)
| | - Manisha Tikka
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, India;
| | - Sang-Yun Lee
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea; (D.B.); (S.-Y.L.); (E.-Y.B.)
| | - Eun-Yeong Bok
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea; (D.B.); (S.-Y.L.); (E.-Y.B.)
| | - Hyeon-Jeong Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0021, USA;
| | - Gyu-Jin Rho
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea; (D.B.); (S.-Y.L.); (E.-Y.B.)
- Correspondence:
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9
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Zuo Q, Jin K, Wang M, Zhang Y, Chen G, Li B. BMP4 activates the Wnt- Lin28A- Blimp1-Wnt pathway to promote primordial germ cell formation via altering H3K4me2. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs249375. [PMID: 33443086 PMCID: PMC7875490 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.249375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique developmental characteristics of chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) enable them to be used in recovery of endangered bird species, gene editing and the generation of transgenic birds, but the limited number of PGCs greatly limits their application. Studies have shown that the formation of mammalian PGCs is induced by BMP4 signal, but the mechanism underlying chicken PGC formation has not been determined. Here, we confirmed that Wnt signaling activated via BMP4 activates transcription of Lin28A by inducing β-catenin to compete with LSD1 for binding to TCF7L2, causing LSD1 to dissociate from the Lin28A promoter and enhancing H3K4me2 methylation in this region. Lin28A promotes PGC formation by inhibiting gga-let7a-3p maturation to initiate Blimp1 expression. Interestingly, expression of Blimp1 helped sustain Wnt5A expression by preventing LSD1 binding to the Wnt5A promoter. We thus elucidated a positive feedback pathway involving Wnt-Lin28A-Blimp1-Wnt that ensures PGC formation. In summary, our data provide new insight into the development of PGCs in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qisheng Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Kai Jin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Man Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Yani Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Guohong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Bichun Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
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10
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Kowarsky M, Anselmi C, Hotta K, Burighel P, Zaniolo G, Caicci F, Rosental B, Neff NF, Ishizuka KJ, Palmeri KJ, Okamoto J, Gordon T, Weissman IL, Quake SR, Manni L, Voskoboynik A. Sexual and asexual development: two distinct programs producing the same tunicate. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108681. [PMID: 33503429 PMCID: PMC7949349 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Colonial tunicates are the only chordate that possess two distinct developmental pathways to produce an adult body: either sexually through embryogenesis or asexually through a stem cell-mediated renewal termed blastogenesis. Using the colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri, we combine transcriptomics and microscopy to build an atlas of the molecular and morphological signatures at each developmental stage for both pathways. The general molecular profiles of these processes are largely distinct. However, the relative timing of organogenesis and ordering of tissue-specific gene expression are conserved. By comparing the developmental pathways of B. schlosseri with other chordates, we identify hundreds of putative transcription factors with conserved temporal expression. Our findings demonstrate that convergent morphology need not imply convergent molecular mechanisms but that it showcases the importance that tissue-specific stem cells and transcription factors play in producing the same mature body through different pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Kowarsky
- Department of Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chiara Anselmi
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and Ludwig Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Kohji Hotta
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Paolo Burighel
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanna Zaniolo
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Federico Caicci
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Benyamin Rosental
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and Ludwig Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Norma F Neff
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Katherine J Ishizuka
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and Ludwig Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Karla J Palmeri
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and Ludwig Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | | | - Tal Gordon
- Zoology Department, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Irving L Weissman
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and Ludwig Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Stephen R Quake
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Departments of Applied Physics and Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lucia Manni
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.
| | - Ayelet Voskoboynik
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and Ludwig Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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11
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Human Ovarian Cortex biobanking: A Fascinating Resource for Fertility Preservation in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093245. [PMID: 32375324 PMCID: PMC7246700 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel anti-cancer treatments have improved the survival rates of female young patients, reopening pregnancy issues for female cancer survivors affected by the tumor treatment-related infertility. This condition occurs in approximately one third of women of fertile age and is mainly dependent on gonadotoxic protocols, including radiation treatments. Besides routine procedures such as the hormonal induction of follicular growth and subsequent cryopreservation of oocytes or embryos, the ovarian protection by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists during chemotherapy as well as even gonadal shielding during radiotherapy, other innovative techniques are available today and need to be optimized to support their introduction into the clinical practice. These novel methods are hormone stimulation-free and include the ovarian cortex cryopreservation before anti-cancer treatments and its subsequent autologous reimplantation and a regenerative medicine approach using oocytes derived in vitro from ovarian stem cells (OSCs). For both procedures, the major benefit is related to the prompt recruitment and processing of the ovarian cortex fragments before gonadotoxic treatments. However, while the functional competence of oocytes within the cryopreserved cortex is not assessable, the in vitro maturation of OSCs to oocytes, allows to select the most competent eggs to be cryopreserved for fertility restoration.
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12
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Prajapati RS, Hintze M, Streit A. PRDM1 controls the sequential activation of neural, neural crest and sensory progenitor determinants. Development 2019; 146:dev.181107. [PMID: 31806661 DOI: 10.1242/dev.181107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
During early embryogenesis, the ectoderm is rapidly subdivided into neural, neural crest and sensory progenitors. How the onset of lineage determinants and the loss of pluripotency markers are temporally and spatially coordinated in vivo is still debated. Here, we identify a crucial role for the transcription factor PRDM1 in the orderly transition from epiblast to defined neural lineages in chick. PRDM1 is initially expressed broadly in the entire epiblast, but becomes gradually restricted as cell fates are specified. We find that PRDM1 is required for the loss of some pluripotency markers and the onset of neural, neural crest and sensory progenitor specifier genes. PRDM1 directly activates their expression by binding to their promoter regions and recruiting the histone demethylase Kdm4a to remove repressive histone marks. However, once neural lineage determinants become expressed, they in turn repress PRDM1, whereas prolonged PRDM1 expression inhibits neural, neural crest and sensory progenitor genes, suggesting that its downregulation is necessary for cells to maintain their identity. Therefore, PRDM1 plays multiple roles during ectodermal cell fate allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindra S Prajapati
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Mark Hintze
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Andrea Streit
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
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13
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Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) must complete a complex and dynamic developmental program during embryogenesis to establish the germline. This process is highly conserved and involves a diverse array of tasks required of PGCs, including migration, survival, sex differentiation, and extensive epigenetic reprogramming. A common theme across many organisms is that PGC success is heterogeneous: only a portion of all PGCs complete all these steps while many other PGCs are eliminated from further germline contribution. The differences that distinguish successful PGCs as a population are not well understood. Here, we examine variation that exists in PGCs as they navigate the many stages of this developmental journey. We explore potential sources of PGC heterogeneity and their potential implications in affecting germ cell behaviors. Lastly, we discuss the potential for PGC development to function as a multistage selection process that assesses heterogeneity in PGCs to refine germline quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H Nguyen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Rebecca G Jaszczak
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Diana J Laird
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States.
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14
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Senft AD, Bikoff EK, Robertson EJ, Costello I. Genetic dissection of Nodal and Bmp signalling requirements during primordial germ cell development in mouse. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1089. [PMID: 30842446 PMCID: PMC6403387 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09052-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The essential roles played by Nodal and Bmp signalling during early mouse development have been extensively documented. Here we use conditional deletion strategies to investigate functional contributions made by Nodal, Bmp and Smad downstream effectors during primordial germ cell (PGC) development. We demonstrate that Nodal and its target gene Eomes provide early instructions during formation of the PGC lineage. We discover that Smad2 inactivation in the visceral endoderm results in increased numbers of PGCs due to an expansion of the PGC niche. Smad1 is required for specification, whereas in contrast Smad4 controls the maintenance and migration of PGCs. Additionally we find that beside Blimp1, down-regulated phospho-Smad159 levels also distinguishes PGCs from their somatic neighbours so that emerging PGCs become refractory to Bmp signalling that otherwise promotes mesodermal development in the posterior epiblast. Thus balanced Nodal/Bmp signalling cues regulate germ cell versus somatic cell fate decisions in the early posterior epiblast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna D Senft
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Elizabeth K Bikoff
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | | | - Ita Costello
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
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15
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Di Natale M, Bennici C, Biondo G, Masullo T, Monastero C, Tagliavia M, Torri M, Costa S, Ragusa MA, Cuttitta A, Nicosia A. Aberrant gene expression profiles in Mediterranean sea urchin reproductive tissues after metal exposures. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 216:48-58. [PMID: 30359916 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Marine organisms are simultaneously exposed to numerous pollutants, among which metals probably represent the most abundant in marine environments. In order to evaluate the effects of metal exposure at molecular level in reproductive tissues, we profiled the sea urchin transcriptional response after non-lethal exposures using pathway-focused mRNA expression analyses. Herein, we show that exposures to relatively high concentrations of both essential and toxic metals hugely affected the gonadic expression of several genes involved in stress-response, detoxification, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, without significant changes in gonadosomatic indices. Even though treatments did not result in reproductive tissues visible alterations, metal exposures negatively affected the main mechanisms of stress-response, detoxification and survival of adult P. lividus. Additionally, transcriptional changes observed in P. lividus gonads may cause altered gametogenesis and maintenance of heritable aberrant epigenetic effects. This study leads to the conclusion that exposures to metals, as usually occurs in polluted coastal areas, may affect sea urchin gametogenesis, thus supporting the hypothesis that parental exposure to environmental stressors affects the phenotype of the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Di Natale
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Carmelo Bennici
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Girolama Biondo
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Masullo
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Calogera Monastero
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Marcello Tagliavia
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Marco Torri
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Costa
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
| | - Maria Antonietta Ragusa
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
| | - Angela Cuttitta
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Aldo Nicosia
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
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16
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Fang F, Li Z, Zhao Q, Li H, Xiong C. Human induced pluripotent stem cells and male infertility: an overview of current progress and perspectives. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:188-195. [PMID: 29315416 PMCID: PMC5850345 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, significant progress has been made in ART for the treatment of male infertility. However, current ART has failed to help infertile patients with non-obstructive azoospermia, unless donor sperm is used. In fact, most couples wish to have their own genetically related child. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be generated from patients’ somatic cells and in vitro derivation of functional germ cells from patient-specific iPSCs may provide new therapeutic strategies for infertile couples. The overall developmental dynamics of human primordial germ cells are similar to that in mice, but accumulating evidence suggests that there are crucial differences between human and mouse PGC specification. Unlike mouse iPSCs (miPSCs) in naive state, hiPSCs exhibit a primed pluripotency which possess less potential for the germ cell fate. Based on research in mice, male germ cells at different stages have been derived from hiPSCs with different protocols, including spontaneous differentiation, overexpression of germ cell regulators, addition of cytokines, co-culture with gonadal cells in vitro and xeno-transplantation. The aim of this review is to summarize the current advances in derivation of male germ cells from hiPSCs and raise the perspectives of hiPSCs in medical application for male infertility, as well as in basic research for male germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zili Li
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, 128 Sanyang Road, Wuhan 430013, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Honggang Li
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Chengliang Xiong
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, 128 Sanyang Road, Wuhan 430013, China
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17
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Hayashi M, Kawaguchi T, Durcova-Hills G, Imai H. Generation of germ cells from pluripotent stem cells in mammals. Reprod Med Biol 2017; 17:107-114. [PMID: 29692667 PMCID: PMC5902460 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The germ cell lineage transmits genetic and epigenetic information to the next generation. Primordial germ cells (PGCs), the early embryonic precursors of sperm or eggs, have been studied extensively. Recently, in vitro models of PGC induction have been established in the mouse. Many attempts are reported to enhance our understanding of PGC development in other mammals, including human. Methods Here, original and review articles that have been published on PubMed are reviewed in order to give an overview of the literature that is focused on PGC development, including the specification of in vivo and in vitro in mice, human, porcine, and bovine. Results Mammalian PGC development, in vivo and in vitro, have been studied primarily by using the mouse model as a template to study PGC specification in other mammals, including human, porcine, and bovine. Conclusion The growing body of published works reveals similarities, as well as differences, in PGC establishment in and between mouse and human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masafumi Hayashi
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology Graduate School of Agriculture Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | - Takamasa Kawaguchi
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology Graduate School of Agriculture Kyoto University Kyoto Japan.,The Fukui Research Institute Ono Pharmaceutical Companyy, Ltd. Fukui Japan
| | - Gabriela Durcova-Hills
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology Graduate School of Agriculture Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | - Hiroshi Imai
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology Graduate School of Agriculture Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
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18
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Lee CYS, Lu T, Seydoux G. Nanos promotes epigenetic reprograming of the germline by down-regulation of the THAP transcription factor LIN-15B. eLife 2017; 6:30201. [PMID: 29111977 PMCID: PMC5734877 DOI: 10.7554/elife.30201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanos RNA-binding proteins are required for germline development in metazoans, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We have profiled the transcriptome of primordial germ cells (PGCs) lacking the nanos homologs nos-1 and nos-2 in C. elegans. nos-1nos-2 PGCs fail to silence hundreds of transcripts normally expressed in oocytes. We find that this misregulation is due to both delayed turnover of maternal transcripts and inappropriate transcriptional activation. The latter appears to be an indirect consequence of delayed turnover of the maternally-inherited transcription factor LIN-15B, a synMuvB class transcription factor known to antagonize PRC2 activity. PRC2 is required for chromatin reprogramming in the germline, and the transcriptome of PGCs lacking PRC2 resembles that of nos-1nos-2 PGCs. Loss of maternal LIN-15B restores fertility to nos-1nos-2 mutants. These findings suggest that Nanos promotes germ cell fate by downregulating maternal RNAs and proteins that would otherwise interfere with PRC2-dependent reprogramming of PGC chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Yung Sean Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Tu Lu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Geraldine Seydoux
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
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19
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Shah SM, Saini N, Ashraf S, Singh MK, Manik RS, Singla SK, Palta P, Chauhan MS. Cumulus cell-conditioned medium supports embryonic stem cell differentiation to germ cell-like cells. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:679-693. [DOI: 10.1071/rd15159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cumulus cells provide cellular interactions and growth factors required for oogenesis. In vitro studies of oogenesis are limited primarily because of the paucity of their source, first trimester fetal gonads, and the small number of germ lineage precursor cells present within these tissues. In order to understand this obscure but vitally important process, the present study was designed to direct differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into germ lineage cells. For this purpose, buffalo ES cells were differentiated, as embryoid bodies (EBs) and monolayer adherent cultures, in the presence of different concentrations of cumulus-conditioned medium (CCM; 10%, 20% and 40%) for different periods of culture (4, 8 and 14 days) to identify the optimum differentiation-inducing concentration and time. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that 20%–40% CCM induced the highest expression of primordial germ cell-specific (deleted in Azoospermia- like (Dazl), dead (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) box polypeptide 4 (Vasa also known as DDX4) and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (Plzf)); meiotic (synaptonemal complex protein 3 (Sycp3), mutl homolog I (Mlh1), transition protein 1/2 (Tnp1/2) and protamine 2 (Prm2); spermatocyte-specific boule-like RNA binding protein (Boule) and tektin 1 (Tekt1)) and oocyte-specific growth differentiation factor 9 (Gdf9) and zona pellucida 2 /3 (Zp2/3)) genes over 8–14 days in culture. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed expression of primordial germ cell (c-KIT, DAZL and VASA), meiotic (SYCP3, MLH1 and PROTAMINE 1), spermatocyte (ACROSIN and HAPRIN) and oocyte (GDF9 and ZP4) markers in both EBs and monolayer differentiation cultures. Western blotting revealed germ lineage-specific protein expression in Day 14 EBs. The significantly lower (P < 0.05) concentration of 5-methyl-2-deoxycytidine in differentiated EBs compared to undifferentiated EBs suggests that methylation erasure may have occurred. Oocyte-like structures obtained in monolayer differentiation stained positive for ZONA PELLUCIDA protein 4 and progressed through various embryo-like developmental stages in extended cultures.
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20
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Yang S, Yuan Q, Niu M, Hou J, Zhu Z, Sun M, Li Z, He Z. BMP4 promotes mouse iPS cell differentiation to male germ cells via Smad1/5, Gata4, Id1 and Id2. Reproduction 2016; 153:211-220. [PMID: 27864336 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Generation of male germ cells from pluripotent cells could provide male gametes for treating male infertility and offer an ideal model for unveiling molecular mechanisms of spermatogenesis. However, the influence and exact molecular mechanisms, especially downstream effectors of BMP4 signaling pathways, in male germ cell differentiation of the induce pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, remain unknown. This study was designed to explore the role and mechanism of BMP4 signaling in the differentiation of mouse iPS cells to male germ cells. Embryoid body (EB) formation and recombinant BMP4 or Noggin were utilized to evaluate the effect of BMP4 on male germ cell generation from mouse iPS cells. Germ cell-specific genes and proteins as well as the downstream effectors of BMP4 signaling pathway were assessed using real-time PCR and Western blots. We found that BMP4 ligand and its multiple receptors, including BMPR1a, BMPR1b and BMPR2, were expressed in mouse iPS cells. Real-time PCR and Western blots revealed that BMP4 could upregulate the levels of genes and proteins for germ cell markers in iPS cells-derived EBs, whereas Noggin decreased their expression in these cells. Moreover, Smad1/5 phosphorylation, Gata4 transcription and the transcripts of Id1 and Id2 were enhanced by BMP4 but decreased when exposed to Noggin. Collectively, these results suggest that BMP4 promotes the generation of male germ cells from iPS cells via Smad1/5 pathway and the activation of Gata4, Id1 and Id2 This study thus offers novel insights into molecular mechanisms underlying male germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qingqing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesRenji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghui Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesRenji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingmei Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesRenji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai, China
| | - Zijue Zhu
- Department of AndrologyUrologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesRenji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of AndrologyUrologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zuping He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesRenji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai, China .,Department of UrologyRen Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineShanghai, China
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21
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RETRACTED: Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) induces buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryonic stem cell differentiation into germ cells. Biochimie 2015; 119:113-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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22
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Nikolic A, Volarevic V, Armstrong L, Lako M, Stojkovic M. Primordial Germ Cells: Current Knowledge and Perspectives. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2016:1741072. [PMID: 26635880 PMCID: PMC4655300 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1741072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a condition that occurs very frequently and understanding what defines normal fertility is crucial to helping patients. Causes of infertility are numerous and the treatment often does not lead to desired pregnancy especially when there is a lack of functional gametes. In humans, the primordial germ cell (PGC) is the primary undifferentiated stem cell type that will differentiate towards gametes: spermatozoa or oocytes. With the development of stem cell biology and differentiation protocols, PGC can be obtained from pluripotent stem cells providing a new therapeutic possibility to treat infertile couples. Recent studies demonstrated that viable mouse pups could be obtained from in vitro differentiated stem cells suggesting that translation of these results to human is closer. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge about PGC indicating the perspective of their use in both research and medical application for the treatment of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Nikolic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 69 Svetozara Markovica Street, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Vladislav Volarevic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 69 Svetozara Markovica Street, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Lyle Armstrong
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, The International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, The International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Miodrag Stojkovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 69 Svetozara Markovica Street, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Spebo Medical, Norvezanska 16, 16 000 Leskovac, Serbia
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23
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Radiation sensitivity of the gastrula-stage embryo: Chromosome aberrations and mutation induction in lacZ transgenic mice: The roles of DNA double-strand break repair systems. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2015; 792:26-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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24
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Zhang Z, Elsayed AK, Shi Q, Zhang Y, Zuo Q, Li D, Lian C, Tang B, Xiao T, Xu Q, Chang G, Chen G, Zhang L, Wang K, Wang Y, Jin K, Wang Y, Song J, Cui H, Li B. Crucial genes and pathways in chicken germ stem cell differentiation. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:13605-21. [PMID: 25847247 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.601401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Male germ cell differentiation is a subtle and complex regulatory process. Currently, its regulatory mechanism is still not fully understood. In our experiment, we performed the first comprehensive genome and transcriptome-wide analyses of the crucial genes and signaling pathways in three kinds of crucial cells (embryonic stem cells, primordial germ cell, and spermatogonial stem cells) that are associated with the male germ cell differentiation. We identified thousands of differentially expressed genes in this process, and from these we chose 173 candidate genes, of which 98 genes were involved in cell differentiation, 19 were involved in the metabolic process, and 56 were involved in the differentiation and metabolic processes, like GAL9, AMH, PLK1, and PSMD7 and so on. In addition, we found that 18 key signaling pathways were involved mainly in cell proliferation, differentiation, and signal transduction processes like TGF-β, Notch, and Jak-STAT. Further exploration found that the candidate gene expression patterns were the same between in vitro induction experiments and transcriptome results. Our results yield clues to the mechanistic basis of male germ cell differentiation and provide an important reference for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhentao Zhang
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Ahmed Kamel Elsayed
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China, the Anatomy and Embryology Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Qingqing Shi
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Yani Zhang
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China,
| | - Qisheng Zuo
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Dong Li
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Chao Lian
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Beibei Tang
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Tianrong Xiao
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Qi Xu
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Guobin Chang
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Guohong Chen
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Kehua Wang
- the Poultry Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Yingjie Wang
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Kai Jin
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Yilin Wang
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Jiuzhou Song
- the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740, and
| | - Hengmi Cui
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China
| | - Bichun Li
- From the College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China,
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25
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Fresques T, Zazueta-Novoa V, Reich A, Wessel GM. Selective accumulation of germ-line associated gene products in early development of the sea star and distinct differences from germ-line development in the sea urchin. Dev Dyn 2014; 243:568-87. [PMID: 24038550 PMCID: PMC3996927 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Revised: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Echinodermata is a diverse phylum, a sister group to chordates, and contains diverse organisms that may be useful to understand varied mechanisms of germ-line specification. RESULTS We tested 23 genes in development of the sea star Patiria miniata that fall into five categories: (1) Conserved germ-line factors; (2) Genes involved in the inductive mechanism of germ-line specification; (3) Germ-line associated genes; (4) Molecules involved in left-right asymmetry; and (5) Genes involved in regulation and maintenance of the genome during early embryogenesis. Overall, our results support the contention that the posterior enterocoel is a source of the germ line in the sea star P. miniata. CONCLUSIONS The germ line in this organism appears to be specified late in embryogenesis, and in a pattern more consistent with inductive interactions amongst cells. This is distinct from the mechanism seen in sea urchins, a close relative of the sea star clad. We propose that P. miniata may serve as a valuable model to study inductive mechanisms of germ-cell specification and when compared with germ-line formation in the sea urchin S. purpuratus may reveal developmental transitions that occur in the evolution of inherited and inductive mechanisms of germ-line specification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adrian Reich
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence RI 02912 USA
| | - Gary M. Wessel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence RI 02912 USA
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26
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Programmes and prospects for ovotechnology. Reprod Biomed Online 2013; 27:702-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Revised: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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27
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Magnúsdóttir E, Dietmann S, Murakami K, Günesdogan U, Tang F, Bao S, Diamanti E, Lao K, Gottgens B, Surani MA. A tripartite transcription factor network regulates primordial germ cell specification in mice. Nat Cell Biol 2013; 15:905-15. [PMID: 23851488 PMCID: PMC3796875 DOI: 10.1038/ncb2798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transitions in cell states are controlled by combinatorial actions of transcription factors. BLIMP1, the key regulator of primordial germ cell (PGC) specification, apparently acts together with PRDM14 and AP2γ. To investigate their individual and combinatorial functions, we first sought an in vitro system for transcriptional readouts and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis. We then integrated this data with information from single-cell transcriptome analysis of normal and mutant PGCs. Here we show that BLIMP1 binds directly to repress somatic and cell proliferation genes. It also directly induces AP2γ, which together with PRDM14 initiates the PGC-specific fate. We determined the occupancy of critical genes by AP2γ-which, when computed altogether with those of BLIMP1 and PRDM14 (both individually and cooperatively), reveals a tripartite mutually interdependent transcriptional network for PGCs. We also demonstrate that, in principle, BLIMP1, AP2γ and PRDM14 are sufficient for PGC specification, and the unprecedented resetting of the epigenome towards a basal state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erna Magnúsdóttir
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - Sabine Dietmann
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
| | - Kazuhiro Murakami
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - Ufuk Günesdogan
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - Siqin Bao
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - Evangelia Diamanti
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Wellcome Trust–MRC Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Kaiqin Lao
- Genetic Systems, Applied Biosystems, Part of Life Technologies, 850 Lincoln Centre Drive, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Bertie Gottgens
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Wellcome Trust–MRC Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - M. Azim Surani
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
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Hamada AJ, Esteves SC, Agarwal A. A comprehensive review of genetics and genetic testing in azoospermia. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2013; 68 Suppl 1:39-60. [PMID: 23503954 PMCID: PMC3583155 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2013(sup01)06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Azoospermia due to obstructive and non-obstructive mechanisms is a common manifestation of male infertility accounting for 10-15% of such cases. Known genetic factors are responsible for approximately 1/3 of cases of azoospermia. Nonetheless, at least 40% of cases are currently categorized as idiopathic and may be linked to unknown genetic abnormalities. It is recommended that various genetic screening tests are performed in azoospermic men, given that their results may play vital role in not only identifying the etiology but also in preventing the iatrogenic transmission of genetic defects to offspring via advanced assisted conception techniques. In the present review, we examine the current genetic information associated with azoospermia based on results from search engines, such as PUBMED, OVID, SCIENCE DIRECT and SCOPUS. We also present a critical appraisal of use of genetic testing in this subset of infertile patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa J Hamada
- Cleveland Clinic, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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29
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Pott J, Stockinger S, Torow N, Smoczek A, Lindner C, McInerney G, Bäckhed F, Baumann U, Pabst O, Bleich A, Hornef MW. Age-dependent TLR3 expression of the intestinal epithelium contributes to rotavirus susceptibility. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002670. [PMID: 22570612 PMCID: PMC3343008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rotavirus is a major cause of diarrhea worldwide and exhibits a pronounced small intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) tropism. Both human infants and neonatal mice are highly susceptible, whereas adult individuals remain asymptomatic and shed only low numbers of viral particles. Here we investigated age-dependent mechanisms of the intestinal epithelial innate immune response to rotavirus infection in an oral mouse infection model. Expression of the innate immune receptor for viral dsRNA, Toll-like receptor (Tlr) 3 was low in the epithelium of suckling mice but strongly increased during the postnatal period inversely correlating with rotavirus susceptibility, viral shedding and histological damage. Adult mice deficient in Tlr3 (Tlr3−/−) or the adaptor molecule Trif (TrifLps2/Lps2) exerted significantly higher viral shedding and decreased epithelial expression of proinflammatory and antiviral genes as compared to wild-type animals. In contrast, neonatal mice deficient in Tlr3 or Trif did not display impaired cell stimulation or enhanced rotavirus susceptibility. Using chimeric mice, a major contribution of the non-hematopoietic cell compartment in the Trif-mediated antiviral host response was detected in adult animals. Finally, a significant age-dependent increase of TLR3 expression was also detected in human small intestinal biopsies. Thus, upregulation of epithelial TLR3 expression during infancy might contribute to the age-dependent susceptibility to rotavirus infection. Intestinal epithelial cells line the mucosal surface of the gut. They are therefore the first to encounter orally ingested pathogenic microorganisms such as rotavirus, a frequent cause of diarrhea both in humans and other mammals. Recognition of structural components of microbial pathogens is facilitated by specialized immune receptors that allow cells to mount an early host defense and restrict infection. Since rotavirus-induced disease is largely restricted to human infants and mice during the postnatal period we studied the age-dependent epithelial expression of immune receptors involved in rotavirus recognition. Strikingly, expression of one such immune receptor, Toll-like receptor 3 (Tlr3), precisely correlated with the establishment of resistance against rotavirus infection in mice. Using an oral rotavirus infection model, we confirmed that Tlr3-induced immune responses contributed to restrict rotavirus replication in adult but not neonate animals. Expression of the same innate immune receptor was also increased with age in human gut biopsies. We thus conclude that the low intestinal epithelial Tlr3 expression contributes to the age-dependent susceptibility towards rotavirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Pott
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Silvia Stockinger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Veterinary University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Natalia Torow
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Smoczek
- Laboratory for Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cornelia Lindner
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gerald McInerney
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Bäckhed
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research/Wallenberg Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ulrich Baumann
- Clinic for Paediatric, Kidney-, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Oliver Pabst
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - André Bleich
- Laboratory for Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mathias W. Hornef
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Reizel Y, Itzkovitz S, Adar R, Elbaz J, Jinich A, Chapal-Ilani N, Maruvka YE, Nevo N, Marx Z, Horovitz I, Wasserstrom A, Mayo A, Shur I, Benayahu D, Skorecki K, Segal E, Dekel N, Shapiro E. Cell lineage analysis of the mammalian female germline. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1002477. [PMID: 22383887 PMCID: PMC3285577 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 11/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Fundamental aspects of embryonic and post-natal development, including maintenance of the mammalian female germline, are largely unknown. Here we employ a retrospective, phylogenetic-based method for reconstructing cell lineage trees utilizing somatic mutations accumulated in microsatellites, to study female germline dynamics in mice. Reconstructed cell lineage trees can be used to estimate lineage relationships between different cell types, as well as cell depth (number of cell divisions since the zygote). We show that, in the reconstructed mouse cell lineage trees, oocytes form clusters that are separate from hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells, both in young and old mice, indicating that these populations belong to distinct lineages. Furthermore, while cumulus cells sampled from different ovarian follicles are distinctly clustered on the reconstructed trees, oocytes from the left and right ovaries are not, suggesting a mixing of their progenitor pools. We also observed an increase in oocyte depth with mouse age, which can be explained either by depth-guided selection of oocytes for ovulation or by post-natal renewal. Overall, our study sheds light on substantial novel aspects of female germline preservation and development. Many aspects of mammalian female germline development during embryogenesis and throughout adulthood are either unknown or under debate. In this study we applied a novel method for the reconstruction of cell lineage trees utilizing microsatellite mutations, accumulated during mouse life, in oocytes and other cells, sampled from young and old mice. Analysis of the reconstructed cell lineage trees shows that oocytes are clustered separately from bone-marrow derived cells, that oocytes from different ovaries share common progenitors, and that oocyte depth (number of cell divisions since the zygote) increases significantly with mouse age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitzhak Reizel
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shalev Itzkovitz
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rivka Adar
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Judith Elbaz
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Adrian Jinich
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noa Chapal-Ilani
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yosef E. Maruvka
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nava Nevo
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Zipora Marx
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Inna Horovitz
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Adam Wasserstrom
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Avi Mayo
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Irena Shur
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Dafna Benayahu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Karl Skorecki
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion and Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - Eran Segal
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nava Dekel
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- * E-mail: (ND); (ES)
| | - Ehud Shapiro
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- * E-mail: (ND); (ES)
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31
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Gordeeva OF, Lifantseva NV, Khaidukov SV. Expression patterns of germ line specific genes in mouse and human pluripotent stem cells are associated with regulation of ground and primed state of pluripotency. Russ J Dev Biol 2011. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360411060038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Abe K, Naruse C, Kato T, Nishiuchi T, Saitou M, Asano M. Loss of heterochromatin protein 1 gamma reduces the number of primordial germ cells via impaired cell cycle progression in mice. Biol Reprod 2011; 85:1013-24. [PMID: 21778144 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.091512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Signals from extraembryonic tissues in mice determine which proximal epiblast cells become primordial germ cells (PGCs). After their specification, approximately 40 PGCs appear at the base of the allantoic bud and migrate to the genital ridges, where they expand to about 25 000 cells by Embryonic Day (E)13.5. The heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) family members HP1alpha, HP1beta, and HP1gamma (CBX5, CBX1, and CBX3, respectively) are thought to induce heterochromatin structure and to regulate gene expression by binding methylated histone H3 lysine 9. We found a dramatic loss of germ cells before meiosis in HP1gamma mutant (HP1gamma(-/-)) mice that we generated previously. The reduction in PGCs in HP1gamma(-/-) embryos was detectable from the early bud stage (E7.25), and the number of HP1gamma(-/-) PGCs was gradually reduced thereafter. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into PGCs was significantly reduced in E7.25 and E12.5 HP1gamma(-/-) embryos. Furthermore, a lower proportion of HP1gamma(-/-) PGCs than wild-type PGCs was in S phase, and a higher proportion, respectively, was in G1 phase at E12.5. Moreover, the proportion of p21 (Cip, official symbol CDKN1A)-positive HP1gamma(-/-) PGCs was increased, suggesting that the G1/S phase transition was inhibited. However, no differences were detected between fate determination, migration, apoptosis, or histone modification of PGCs of control embryos and those of HP1gamma(-/-) embryos. Therefore, the reduction in PGCs in HP1gamma(-/-) embryos could be caused by impaired cell cycle in PGCs. These results suggest that HP1gamma plays an important role in keeping enough germ cells by regulating the PGC cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanae Abe
- Divisions of Transgenic Animal Science and Functional Genomics, Advanced Science Research Center, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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34
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Schäfer S, Anschlag J, Nettersheim D, Haas N, Pawig L, Schorle H. The role of BLIMP1 and its putative downstream target TFAP2C in germ cell development and germ cell tumours. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 34:e152-8; discussion e158-9. [PMID: 21564135 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2011.01167.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During the past years, much information has been gathered regarding the genetic and epigenetic programmes leading to the specification and maintenance of primordial germ cells. Expression of the transcriptional regulator BLIMP1 (PRDM1) is regarded as the main event in germ cell specification. BLIMP1 induces a set of target genes, one of them being transcription factor TFAP2C (AP-2γ, Tcfap2c). In murine loss of function models Blimp1 and Tcfap2c share an identical phenotype, strengthening the assumption that they act in the same pathway. One major role of this pathway is the inhibition of somatic differentiation in germ cells. BLIMP1 and TFAP2C are also expressed in carcinoma in situ (CIS, IGCNU, TIN) and in seminoma. As pointed out herein, the presence of both proteins helps to explain the undifferentiated nature of these germ cell tumours. In addition, we performed a meta-analysis of high-throughput datasets searching for TFAP2C/Tcfap2c target genes. This analysis leads us to suggest Nanos3, Dmrt1 and Dnmt3b as potential TFAP2C/Tcfap2c target genes with relevance to germ cell development and germ cell tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Schäfer
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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35
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Looijenga LHJ, Gillis AJM, Stoop H, Biermann K, Oosterhuis JW. Dissecting the molecular pathways of (testicular) germ cell tumour pathogenesis; from initiation to treatment-resistance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 34:e234-51. [PMID: 21564133 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2011.01157.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Human type II germ cell tumours (GCTs) originate from an embryonic germ cell, either as a primordial germ cell or gonocyte. This start determines the biological as well as clinical characteristics of this type of cancer, amongst others their totipotency as well as their overall (exceptional) sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. The histology of the precursor lesion, either carcinoma in situ or gonadoblastoma, depends on the level of testicularization (i.e. testis formation) of the gonad. The impact of either intrinsic (genetic) - and environmental factors involved in the pathogenesis is demonstrated by disorders of sex development as well as testicular dysgenesis syndrome as risk factors, including cryptorchidism, hypospadias and disturbed fertility as parameters. This knowledge allows identification of individuals at risk for development of this type of cancer, being a population of interest for screening. Factors known to regulate pluripotency during embryogenesis are proven to be of diagnostic value for type II GCTs, including OCT3/4, even applicable for non-invasive screening. In addition, presence of stem cell factor, also known as KITLG, allows distinction between delayed matured germ cells and the earliest stages of malignant transformation. This is of special interest because of the identified association between development of type II GCTs of the testis and a limited number of single nucleotide polymorphisms, including some likely related to KITL. Transition from the precursor lesion to an invasive cancer is associated with gain of the short arm of chromosome 12, in which multiple genes might be involved, including KRAS2 and possibly NANOG (pseudogenes). While most precursor lesions will progress to an invasive cancer, only a limited number of cancers will develop treatment resistance. Putative explanatory mechanisms are identified, including presence of microsatellite instability, BRAF mutations, apoptosis suppression and p21 sub-cellular localization. It remains to be investigated how these different pathways integrate to each other and how informative they are at the patient-individual level. Further understanding will allow development of more targeted treatment, which will benefit quality of life of these young cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- L H J Looijenga
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center Rotterdam, Josephine Nefkens Institute, Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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36
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Petkov SG, Marks H, Klein T, Garcia RS, Gao Y, Stunnenberg H, Hyttel P. In vitro culture and characterization of putative porcine embryonic germ cells derived from domestic breeds and Yucatan mini pig embryos at Days 20–24 of gestation. Stem Cell Res 2011; 6:226-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2011.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Revised: 01/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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37
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Knop E, Knop N, Millar T, Obata H, Sullivan DA. The international workshop on meibomian gland dysfunction: report of the subcommittee on anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the meibomian gland. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2011; 52:1938-78. [PMID: 21450915 PMCID: PMC3072159 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.10-6997c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 683] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2010] [Accepted: 03/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Erich Knop
- Ocular Surface Center Berlin, Department for Cell and Neurobiology, Center for Anatomy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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38
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Cook MS, Munger SC, Nadeau JH, Capel B. Regulation of male germ cell cycle arrest and differentiation by DND1 is modulated by genetic background. Development 2011; 138:23-32. [PMID: 21115610 PMCID: PMC2998163 DOI: 10.1242/dev.057000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human germ cell tumors show a strong sensitivity to genetic background similar to Dnd1(Ter/Ter) mutant mice, where testicular teratomas arise only on the 129/SvJ genetic background. The introduction of the Bax mutation onto mixed background Dnd1(Ter/Ter) mutants, where teratomas do not typically develop, resulted in a high incidence of teratomas. However, when Dnd1(Ter/Ter); Bax(-/-) double mutants were backcrossed to C57BL/6J, no tumors arose. Dnd1(Ter/Ter) germ cells show a strong downregulation of male differentiation genes including Nanos2. In susceptible strains, where teratomas initiate around E15.5-E17.5, many mutant germ cells fail to enter mitotic arrest in G0 and do not downregulate the pluripotency markers NANOG, SOX2 and OCT4. We show that DND1 directly binds a group of transcripts that encode negative regulators of the cell cycle, including p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip)(1). P27(Kip1) and P21(Cip1) protein are both significantly decreased in Dnd1(Ter/Ter) germ cells on all strain backgrounds tested, strongly suggesting that DND1 regulates mitotic arrest in male germ cells through translational regulation of cell cycle genes. Nonetheless, in C57BL/6J mutants, germ cells arrest prior to M-phase of the cell cycle and downregulate NANOG, SOX2 and OCT4. Consistent with their ability to rescue cell cycle arrest, C57BL/6J germ cells overexpress negative regulators of the cell cycle relative to 129/SvJ. This work suggests that reprogramming of pluripotency in germ cells and prevention of tumor formation requires cell cycle arrest, and that differences in the balance of cell cycle regulators between 129/SvJ and C57BL/6 might underlie differences in tumor susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Cook
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Steven C. Munger
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Joseph H. Nadeau
- Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Blanche Capel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Abstract
Germ cell tumors are neoplasms arising from pluripotent germ cells. In humans, these tumors occur in infants, children and young adults. The tumors display a wide range of histologic differentiation states which exhibit different clinical behaviors. Information about the molecular basis of germ cell tumors, and representative animal models of these neoplasms, are lacking. Germline development in zebrafish and humans is broadly conserved, making the fish a useful model to probe the connections between germ cell development and tumorigenesis. Here, we provide an overview of germline development and a brief review of germ cell tumor biology in humans and zebrafish. We also outline some methods for studying the zebrafish germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanie C. Neumann
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 USA
,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 USA
| | - Kate Lillard
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 USA
,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 USA
| | - Vanessa Damoulis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 USA
,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 USA
| | - James F. Amatruda
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 USA
,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 USA
,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 USA
,Corresponding Author: Depts. of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine and Molecular Biology UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas, TX 75390-8534 Phone: 214-648-1645 FAX: 214-645-5915
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Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are embryonic progenitors for the gametes. In the gastrulating mouse embryo, a small group of cells begin expressing a unique set of genes and so commit to the germline. Over the next 3-5 days, these PGCs migrate anteriorly and increase rapidly in number via mitotic division before colonizing the newly formed gonads. PGCs then express a different set of unique genes, their inherited epigenetic imprint is erased and an individual methylation imprint is established, and for female PGCs, the silent X chromosome is reactivated. At this point, germ cells (GCs) commit to either a female or male sexual lineage, denoted by meiosis entry and mitotic arrest, respectively. This developmental program is determined by cues emanating from the somatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Ewen
- Division of Molecular Genetics and Development, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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41
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Bowles J, Koopman P. Sex determination in mammalian germ cells: extrinsic versus intrinsic factors. Reproduction 2010; 139:943-58. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-10-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian germ cells do not determine their sexual fate based on their XX or XY chromosomal constitution. Instead, sexual fate is dependent on the gonadal environment in which they develop. In a fetal testis, germ cells commit to the spermatogenic programme of development during fetal life, although they do not enter meiosis until puberty. In a fetal ovary, germ cells commit to oogenesis by entering prophase of meiosis I. Although it was believed previously that germ cells are pre-programmed to enter meiosis unless they are actively prevented from doing so, recent results indicate that meiosis is triggered by a signaling molecule, retinoic acid (RA). Meiosis is avoided in the fetal testis because a male-specifically expressed enzyme actively degrades RA during the critical time period. Additional extrinsic factors are likely to influence sexual fate of the germ cells, and in particular, we postulate that an additional male-specific fate-determining factor or factors is involved. The full complement of intrinsic factors that underlie the competence of gonadal germ cells to respond to RA and other extrinsic factors is yet to be defined.
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Richardson BE, Lehmann R. Mechanisms guiding primordial germ cell migration: strategies from different organisms. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2010; 11:37-49. [PMID: 20027186 PMCID: PMC4521894 DOI: 10.1038/nrm2815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 328] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The regulated migration of cells is essential for development and tissue homeostasis, and aberrant cell migration can lead to an impaired immune response and the progression of cancer. Primordial germ cells (PGCs), precursors to sperm and eggs, have to migrate across the embryo to reach somatic gonadal precursors, where they carry out their function. Studies of model organisms have revealed that, despite important differences, several features of PGC migration are conserved. PGCs require an intrinsic motility programme and external guidance cues to survive and successfully migrate. Proper guidance involves both attractive and repulsive cues and is mediated by protein and lipid signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian E Richardson
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York University, New York, 10016, USA
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43
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Dicou E, Perez-Polo JR. Bax-an emerging role in ectopic cell death. Int J Dev Neurosci 2009; 27:299-304. [PMID: 19460623 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2009.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2009] [Accepted: 02/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryonic and early postnatal development the combination of cell proliferation, migration, survival and cell death is intimately regulated. In the mouse embryo, significant numbers of primordial germ cells, the founder cells of the gametes, fail to migrate correctly to the genital ridges early in histogenesis. Studies in Bcl-2 associated X protein null mice (Bax(-/-)) have shown that the pro-apoptotic Bax gene is required for the programmed cell death of germ cells left in ectopic locations during and after germ cell migration. Independent studies carried out in the central nervous system of Bax(-/-) mice have shown impaired and ectopic neuronal migration in the cerebellum and olfactory bulb during development and in the adult hippocampus. Taken together, these evidences identify Bax as a major mechanism in ectopic cell death and are the subject of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Dicou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-0652, USA.
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44
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Gu Y, Runyan C, Shoemaker A, Surani A, Wylie C. Steel factor controls primordial germ cell survival and motility from the time of their specification in the allantois, and provides a continuous niche throughout their migration. Development 2009; 136:1295-303. [PMID: 19279135 DOI: 10.1242/dev.030619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Steel factor is an essential survival and proliferation factor for primordial germ cells (PGCs) during their migration in the early mouse embryo. PGCs arise during gastrulation, and migrate into the posterior endoderm that becomes the hindgut. Previous reports have suggested that PGCs become dependent on Steel factor when they colonize the hindgut. However, in the absence of a good marker for living PGCs, their behavior before hindgut colonization has not been previously studied. We report here the normal behavior of PGCs in live embryos before hindgut colonization, and the roles of Steel factor, using a reporter line in which GFP is driven by the promoter of the Stella gene, whose activation accompanies the initial specification of PGCs. We show first that PGCs are surrounded by Steel factor-expressing cells from their first appearance in the allantois to the time they enter the genital ridges. Second, fewer PGCs are found in the allantois in Steel-null embryos, but this is not due to a failure of PGC specification. Third, the analysis of cultured Steel-null early embryos shows that Steel factor is required for normal PGC motility, both in the allantois and in the hindgut. Germ cells migrate actively in the allantois, and move directionally from the allantois into the proximal epiblast. In the absence of Steel factor, caused by either null mutation or antibody blockade, PGC motility is dramatically decreased, but directionality is maintained, demonstrating a primary role for Steel factor in PGC motility. This was found both before and after colonization of the hindgut. These data, together with previously published data, show that PGCs are Steel factor dependent from their initial specification until they colonize the genital ridges, and suggest the existence of a ;spatio-temporal niche' that travels with this important pluripotential cell population in the embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gu
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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45
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A Novel Approach for the Derivation of Putative Primordial Germ Cells and Sertoli Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells 2009; 27:68-77. [DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2007-1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Farley BM, Ryder SP. Regulation of Maternal mRNAs in Early Development. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2008; 43:135-62. [PMID: 18365862 DOI: 10.1080/10409230801921338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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47
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Complex genome-wide transcription dynamics orchestrated by Blimp1 for the specification of the germ cell lineage in mice. Genes Dev 2008; 22:1617-35. [PMID: 18559478 DOI: 10.1101/gad.1649908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Specification of germ cell fate is fundamental in development. With a highly representative single-cell microarray and rigorous quantitative PCR analysis, we defined the genome-wide transcription dynamics that create primordial germ cells (PGCs) from the epiblast, a process that exclusively segregates them from their somatic neighbors. We also analyzed the effect of the loss of Blimp1, a key transcriptional regulator, on these dynamics. Our analysis revealed that PGC specification involves complex, yet highly ordered regulation of a large number of genes, proceeding under the strong influence of mesoderm induction but specifically avoiding developmental programs such as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, Hox cluster activation, cell cycle progression, and DNA methyltransferase machinery. Remarkably, Blimp1 is essential for repressing nearly all the genes normally down-regulated in PGCs relative to their somatic neighbors. In contrast, it is dispensable for the activation of approximately half of the genes up-regulated in PGCs, uncovering the Blimp1-independent events for PGC specification. Notably, however, highly PGC-specific genes exhibited distinct correlations to Blimp1 in wild-type embryos, and these correlations faithfully predicted their expression impairments in Blimp1 mutants. Moreover, their expression overlaps within single cells were severely damaged without Blimp1, demonstrating that Blimp1 exerts positive influence on their concerted activation. Thus, Blimp1 is not a single initiator but a dominant coordinator of the transcriptional program for the establishment of the germ cell fate in mice.
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48
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Critical function of Prdm14 for the establishment of the germ cell lineage in mice. Nat Genet 2008; 40:1016-22. [PMID: 18622394 DOI: 10.1038/ng.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 405] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2007] [Accepted: 05/08/2008] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Specification of germ cell fate is fundamental in development and heredity. Recent evidence indicates that in mice, specification of primordial germ cells (PGCs), the common source of both oocytes and spermatozoa, occurs through the integration of three key events: repression of the somatic program, reacquisition of potential pluripotency and ensuing genome-wide epigenetic reprogramming. Here we provide genetic evidence that Prdm14, a PR domain-containing transcriptional regulator with exclusive expression in the germ cell lineage and pluripotent cell lines, is critical in two of these events, the reacquisition of potential pluripotency and successful epigenetic reprogramming. In Prdm14 mutants, the failure of these two events manifests even in the presence of Prdm1 (also known as Blimp1), a key transcriptional regulator for PGC specification. Our combined evidence demonstrates that Prdm14 defines a previously unknown genetic pathway, initiating independently from Prdm1, for ensuring the launching of the mammalian germ cell lineage.
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49
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Godmann M, Auger V, Ferraroni-Aguiar V, Di Sauro A, Sette C, Behr R, Kimmins S. Dynamic Regulation of Histone H3 Methylation at Lysine 4 in Mammalian Spermatogenesis1. Biol Reprod 2007; 77:754-64. [PMID: 17634443 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.062265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly complex cell differentiation process that is governed by unique transcriptional regulation and massive chromatin alterations, which are required for meiosis and postmeiotic maturation. The underlying mechanisms involve alterations to the epigenetic layer, including histone modifications and incorporation of testis-specific nuclear proteins, such as histone variants and protamines. Histones can undergo methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation among other modifications at their N-terminus, and these modifications can signal changes in chromatin structure. We have identified the temporal and spatial distributions of histone H3 mono-, di-, and trimethylation at lysine 4 (K4), and the lysine-specific histone demethylase AOF2 (amine oxidase flavin-containing domain 2, previously known as LSD1) during mammalian spermatogenesis. Our results reveal tightly regulated distributions of H3-K4 methylation and AOF2, and that H3-K4 methylation is very similar between the mouse and the marmoset. The AOF2 protein levels were found to be higher in the testes than in the somatic tissues. The distribution of AOF2 matched the cell- and stage-specific patterns of H3-K4 methylation. Interaction studies revealed unique epigenetic regulatory complexes associated with H3-K4 methylation in the testis, including the association of AOF2 and methyl-CpG-binding domain protein 2 (MBD2a/b) in a complex with histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). These studies enhance our understanding of epigenetic modifications and their roles in chromatin organization during male germ cell differentiation in both normal and pathologic states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Godmann
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9
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Olive V, Wagner N, Chan S, Kastner P, Vannetti C, Cuzin F, Rassoulzadegan M. PU.1 (Sfpi1), a pleiotropic regulator expressed from the first embryonic stages with a crucial function in germinal progenitors. Development 2007; 134:3815-25. [PMID: 17913791 DOI: 10.1242/dev.003467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In the adult mammalian testis, spermatogenic differentiation starts from a minute population of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs are generated after birth from the fetal gonocytes, themselves derived from the primordial germ cells (PGCs), which are specified during the first days after implantation. Transcriptome profiling of purified preparations evidenced the preferential accumulation in SSCs of transcripts of PU.1(Sfpi1), a regulatory gene previously identified in hematopoietic progenitors. In situ immunolabeling and RNA determination showed a complex pattern of expression in the adult testis, first in SSCs and early spermatogonia followed by de novo expression in pachytene spermatocytes. Spermatogenesis in a null mutant (PU.1G/G) was arrested at the prenatal stage, with reduced numbers of gonocytes owing to a defect in proliferation already noticeable at E12.5. Transcripts of several germinal markers, including vasa (Mvh, Ddx4), Oct4 (Pou5f1), Dazl and Taf4b, were detected, whereas stella (PGC7,Dppa3) was not. Germ cells of PU.1G/G newborn testes grafted in nude mice did not initiate the postnatal replicative stage, whereas grafts of their wild-type littermates underwent complete spermatogenesis. During embryonic development, PU.1 transcription was initiated as early as the blastocyst stage, with a generalized expression at E6.5 in the embryonic ectoderm. PU.1 therefore appears to play a determinant role in at least two distinct lineages and, given its wide range of expression,possibly in other stem cells.
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