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Ayers KL, Eggers S, Rollo BN, Smith KR, Davidson NM, Siddall NA, Zhao L, Bowles J, Weiss K, Zanni G, Burglen L, Ben-Shachar S, Rosensaft J, Raas-Rothschild A, Jørgensen A, Schittenhelm RB, Huang C, Robevska G, van den Bergen J, Casagranda F, Cyza J, Pachernegg S, Wright DK, Bahlo M, Oshlack A, O'Brien TJ, Kwan P, Koopman P, Hime GR, Girard N, Hoffmann C, Shilon Y, Zung A, Bertini E, Milh M, Ben Rhouma B, Belguith N, Bashamboo A, McElreavey K, Banne E, Weintrob N, BenZeev B, Sinclair AH. Author Correction: Variants in SART3 cause a spliceosomopathy characterised by failure of testis development and neuronal defects. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3566. [PMID: 37322043 PMCID: PMC10272200 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39372-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Ayers
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Stefanie Eggers
- The Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ben N Rollo
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine R Smith
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nadia M Davidson
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicole A Siddall
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Karin Weiss
- Genetics Institute, Rambam Health Care Campus, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ginevra Zanni
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders and Unit of Developmental Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lydie Burglen
- Centre de Référence des Malformations et Maladies Congénitales du Cervelet, Et Laboratoire de Neurogénétique Moléculaire, Département de Génétique et Embryologie Médicale, APHP. Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Trousseau, Paris, France
- Developmental Brain Disorders Laboratory, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Shay Ben-Shachar
- Genetic Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jenny Rosensaft
- Genetics Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Annick Raas-Rothschild
- Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Cheng Huang
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Gorjana Robevska
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Franca Casagranda
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Justyna Cyza
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Svenja Pachernegg
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David K Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Melanie Bahlo
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alicia Oshlack
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Terrence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gary R Hime
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nadine Girard
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Aix-Marseille Université, APHM, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Chen Hoffmann
- Radiology Department, Sheba medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yuval Shilon
- Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Amnon Zung
- Pediatrics Department, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders and Unit of Developmental Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mathieu Milh
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Aix-Marseille Université, APHM, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Bochra Ben Rhouma
- Higher Institute of Nursing Sciences of Gabes, University of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Neila Belguith
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
- Department of Congenital and Hereditary Diseases, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Anu Bashamboo
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Human Developmental Genetics, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Kenneth McElreavey
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Human Developmental Genetics, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Ehud Banne
- Genetics Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
- The Rina Mor Genetic Institute, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, 58100, Israel
| | - Naomi Weintrob
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Andrew H Sinclair
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Ayers KL, Eggers S, Rollo BN, Smith KR, Davidson NM, Siddall NA, Zhao L, Bowles J, Weiss K, Zanni G, Burglen L, Ben-Shachar S, Rosensaft J, Raas-Rothschild A, Jørgensen A, Schittenhelm RB, Huang C, Robevska G, van den Bergen J, Casagranda F, Cyza J, Pachernegg S, Wright DK, Bahlo M, Oshlack A, O'Brien TJ, Kwan P, Koopman P, Hime GR, Girard N, Hoffmann C, Shilon Y, Zung A, Bertini E, Milh M, Ben Rhouma B, Belguith N, Bashamboo A, McElreavey K, Banne E, Weintrob N, BenZeev B, Sinclair AH. Variants in SART3 cause a spliceosomopathy characterised by failure of testis development and neuronal defects. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3403. [PMID: 37296101 PMCID: PMC10256788 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39040-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma antigen recognized by T cells 3 (SART3) is an RNA-binding protein with numerous biological functions including recycling small nuclear RNAs to the spliceosome. Here, we identify recessive variants in SART3 in nine individuals presenting with intellectual disability, global developmental delay and a subset of brain anomalies, together with gonadal dysgenesis in 46,XY individuals. Knockdown of the Drosophila orthologue of SART3 reveals a conserved role in testicular and neuronal development. Human induced pluripotent stem cells carrying patient variants in SART3 show disruption to multiple signalling pathways, upregulation of spliceosome components and demonstrate aberrant gonadal and neuronal differentiation in vitro. Collectively, these findings suggest that bi-allelic SART3 variants underlie a spliceosomopathy which we tentatively propose be termed INDYGON syndrome (Intellectual disability, Neurodevelopmental defects and Developmental delay with 46,XY GONadal dysgenesis). Our findings will enable additional diagnoses and improved outcomes for individuals born with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Ayers
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Stefanie Eggers
- The Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ben N Rollo
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Katherine R Smith
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nadia M Davidson
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicole A Siddall
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Karin Weiss
- Genetics Institute, Rambam Health Care Campus, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ginevra Zanni
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders and Unit of Developmental Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lydie Burglen
- Centre de Référence des Malformations et Maladies Congénitales du Cervelet, Et Laboratoire de Neurogénétique Moléculaire, Département de Génétique et Embryologie Médicale, APHP. Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Trousseau, Paris, France
- Developmental Brain Disorders Laboratory, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Shay Ben-Shachar
- Genetic Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jenny Rosensaft
- Genetics Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Annick Raas-Rothschild
- Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Cheng Huang
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | | | | | - Franca Casagranda
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Justyna Cyza
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Svenja Pachernegg
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David K Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Melanie Bahlo
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alicia Oshlack
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Terrence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gary R Hime
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nadine Girard
- Aix-Marseille Université, APHM. Department of Pediatric Neurology, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Chen Hoffmann
- Radiology Department, Sheba medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yuval Shilon
- Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Amnon Zung
- Pediatrics Department, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders and Unit of Developmental Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mathieu Milh
- Aix-Marseille Université, APHM. Department of Pediatric Neurology, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Bochra Ben Rhouma
- Higher Institute of Nursing Sciences of Gabes, University of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Neila Belguith
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
- Department of Congenital and Hereditary Diseases, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Anu Bashamboo
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Human Developmental Genetics, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Kenneth McElreavey
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Human Developmental Genetics, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Ehud Banne
- Genetics Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
- The Rina Mor Genetic Institute, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, 58100, Israel
| | - Naomi Weintrob
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Andrew H Sinclair
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Burnet G, Feng CWA, Cheung KMF, Bowles J, Spiller CM. Generation and characterization of a Ddx4-iCre transgenic line for deletion in the germline beginning at genital ridge colonization. Genesis 2023; 61:e23511. [PMID: 36693128 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Germline-specific Cre lines are useful for analyses of primordial germ cell, spermatogonial and oogonial development, but also for whole-body deletions when transmitted through subsequent generations. Several germ cell specific Cre mouse strains exist, with various degrees of specificity, efficiency, and temporal activation. Here, we describe the CRISPR/Cas9 targeted insertion of an improved Cre (iCre) sequence in-frame at the 3' end of the Ddx4 locus to generate the Ddx4-P2A-iCre allele. Our functional assessment of this new allele, designated Ddx4iCreJoBo , reveals that Cre activity begins in PGCs from at least E10.5, and that it achieves higher efficiency for early gonadal (E10.5-12.5) germline deletion when compared to the inducible Oct4CreERT2 line. We found the Ddx4iCreJoBo allele to be hypomorphic for Ddx4 expression and homozygous males, but not females, were infertile. Using two reporter lines (R26RLacZ and R26RtdTomato ) and a floxed gene of interest (Criptoflox ) we found ectopic activity in multiple organs; global recombination (a common feature of germline Cre alleles) varies from 10 to 100%, depending on the particular floxed allele. There is a strong maternal effect, and therefore it is preferable for Ddx4iCreJoBo to be inherited from the male parent if ubiquitous deletion is not desired. With these limitations considered, we describe the Ddx4iCreJoBo line as useful for germline studies in which early gonadal deletion is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Burnet
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Chun-Wei Allen Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ka Man Fiona Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Cassy M Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Burnet G, Bowles J, Spiller CM. Isolation and Culture Techniques for Fetal Mouse Germ Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2677:221-231. [PMID: 37464245 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3259-8_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
The fetal gonad contains a great variety of differentiating cell populations, of which germ cells make up a relatively small percentage. In order to study germ cell-specific gene and protein expression, as well as determine direct effects of signaling molecules, it is necessary to prepare enriched populations of germ cells and maintain them in culture for several hours to multiple days. The protocols in this chapter are designed to provide a guide for the isolation or enrichment of primordial germ cells (from 9.5 days post coitum (dpc) to 18.5 dpc) by flow cytometry (Subheading 3.1) or magnetic sorting (Subheading 3.2), followed by feeder-free primary germ cell culture (Subheading 3.3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Burnet
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Cassy M Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Gartshore L, Bowles J, Jones L. Liverpool admissions. Br Dent J 2022; 233:587. [DOI: 10.1038/s41415-022-5162-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Germ cells are critical for the survival of our species. They are the only cells that undergo meiosis - the reductive form of cell division that is necessary for genetic reassortment of chromosomes and production of the haploid gametes, the sperm and eggs. Remarkably, the initial female/male fate decision in fetal germ cells does not depend on whether they are chromosomally XX or XY; rather, initial sexual fate is imposed by influences from the surrounding tissue. In mammals, the female germline is particularly precious: despite recent suggestions that germline stem cells exist in the ovary, it is still generally accepted that the ovarian reserve is finite, and its size is dependant on germ cells of the fetal ovary initiating meiosis in a timely manner. SUMMARY Prior to 2006, evidence suggested that gonadal germ cells initiate meiotic prophase I by default, but more recent data support a key role for the signalling molecule retinoic acid (RA) in instructing female germ cell fate. Newer findings also support a key meiosis-inducing role for another signalling molecule, bone morphogenic protein (BMP). Nonetheless, many questions remain. KEY MESSAGES Here, we review knowledge thus far regarding extrinsic and intrinsic determinants of a female germ cell fate, focusing on the mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassy Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Davila RA, Spiller C, Harkins D, Harvey T, Jordan PW, Gronostajski RM, Piper M, Bowles J. Deletion of NFIX results in defective progression through meiosis within the mouse testis. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:1191-1205. [PMID: 35243487 PMCID: PMC9198952 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the nuclear factor I (NFI) family are key regulators of stem cell biology during development, with well-documented roles for NFIA, NFIB, and NFIX in a variety of developing tissues, including brain, muscle, and lung. Given the central role these factors play in stem cell biology, we posited that they may be pivotal for spermatogonial stem cells or further developing spermatogonia during testicular development. Surprisingly, in stark contrast to other developing organ systems where NFI members are co-expressed, these NFI family members show discrete patterns of expression within the seminiferous tubules. Sertoli cells (spermatogenic supporting cells) express NFIA, spermatocytes express NFIX, round spermatids express NFIB, and peritubular myoid cells express each of these three family members. Further analysis of NFIX expression during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium revealed expression not in spermatogonia, as we anticipated, but in spermatocytes. These data suggested a potential role for NFIX in spermatogenesis. To investigate, we analyzed mice with constitutive deletion of Nfix (Nfix-null). Assessment of germ cells in the postnatal day 20 (P20) testes of Nfix-null mice revealed that spermatocytes initiate meiosis, but zygotene stage spermatocytes display structural defects in the synaptonemal complex, and increased instances of unrepaired DNA double-strand breaks. Many developing spermatocytes in the Nfix-null testis exhibited multinucleation. As a result of these defects, spermatogenesis is blocked at early diplotene and very few round spermatids are produced. Collectively, these novel data establish the global requirement for NFIX in correct meiotic progression during the first wave of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Ayala Davila
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Cassy Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Danyon Harkins
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Tracey Harvey
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Philip W Jordan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Richard M Gronostajski
- Department of Biochemistry, Program in Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Michael Piper
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
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Ho UY, Feng CWA, Yeap YY, Bain AL, Wei Z, Shohayeb B, Reichelt ME, Homer H, Khanna KK, Bowles J, Ng DCH. WDR62 is required for centriole duplication in spermatogenesis and manchette removal in spermiogenesis. Commun Biol 2021; 4:645. [PMID: 34059773 PMCID: PMC8167107 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02171-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
WDR62 is a scaffold protein involved in centriole duplication and spindle assembly during mitosis. Mutations in WDR62 can cause primary microcephaly and premature ovarian insufficiency. We have generated a genetrap mouse model deficient in WDR62 and characterised the developmental effects of WDR62 deficiency during meiosis in the testis. We have found that WDR62 deficiency leads to centriole underduplication in the spermatocytes due to reduced or delayed CEP63 accumulation in the pericentriolar matrix. This resulted in prolonged metaphase that led to apoptosis. Round spermatids that inherited a pair of centrioles progressed through spermiogenesis, however, manchette removal was delayed in WDR62 deficient spermatids due to delayed Katanin p80 accumulation in the manchette, thus producing misshapen spermatid heads with elongated manchettes. In mice, WDR62 deficiency resembles oligoasthenoteratospermia, a common form of subfertility in men that is characterised by low sperm counts, poor motility and abnormal morphology. Therefore, proper WDR62 function is necessary for timely spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis during male reproduction. Uda Ho et al find that loss of centriolar scaffold protein WDR62 in mouse testis leads to defects in spermatogenesis. They find that WDR62 deficiency leads to centriole underduplication in spermatocytes and delayed manchette removal in spermatids due to delayed Katanin p80 accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uda Y Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Chun-Wei Allen Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Yvonne Y Yeap
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Amanda L Bain
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Zhe Wei
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Belal Shohayeb
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Melissa E Reichelt
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hayden Homer
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kum Kum Khanna
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Dominic C H Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Feng CW, Burnet G, Spiller CM, Cheung FKM, Chawengsaksophak K, Koopman P, Bowles J. Identification of regulatory elements required for Stra8 expression in fetal ovarian germ cells of the mouse. Development 2021; 148:dev.194977. [PMID: 33574039 DOI: 10.1242/dev.194977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In mice, the entry of germ cells into meiosis crucially depends on the expression of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8). Stra8 is expressed specifically in pre-meiotic germ cells of females and males, at fetal and postnatal stages, respectively, but the mechanistic details of its spatiotemporal regulation are yet to be defined. In particular, there has been considerable debate regarding whether retinoic acid is required, in vivo, to initiate Stra8 expression in the mouse fetal ovary. We show that the distinctive anterior-to-posterior pattern of Stra8 initiation, characteristic of germ cells in the fetal ovary, is faithfully recapitulated when 2.9 kb of the Stra8 promoter is used to drive eGFP expression. Using in vitro transfection assays of cutdown and mutant constructs, we identified two functional retinoic acid responsive elements (RAREs) within this 2.9 kb regulatory element. We also show that the transcription factor DMRT1 enhances Stra8 expression, but only in the presence of RA and the most proximal RARE. Finally, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutation studies to demonstrate that both RAREs are required for optimal Stra8 expression levels in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Wei Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Guillaume Burnet
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Cassy M Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Fiona Ka Man Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kallayanee Chawengsaksophak
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i. Vídenská 1083, 4 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia .,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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10
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Draskau MK, Spiller CM, Boberg J, Bowles J, Svingen T. Developmental biology meets toxicology: contributing reproductive mechanisms to build adverse outcome pathways. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:111-116. [PMID: 31943113 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An adverse outcome pathway (AOP) is a simplified description of the sequence of mechanistic events that lead to a particular toxicological effect, from initial trigger to adverse outcome. Although designed to inform regulatory risk assessors, the AOP framework also provides a platform for innovative collaborations between experts from relevant research fields and the regulatory community. The underpinning for any AOP is basic knowledge about molecular and developmental processes; such knowledge can only be attained by solid bioscientific research. Starting with this fundamental knowledge, the objective is to devise novel testing strategies that focus on key events in a causative pathway. It is anticipated that such a knowledge-based approach will ultimately alleviate many of the burdens associated with classical chemical testing strategies that typically involve large-scale animal toxicity regimens. This hails from the notion that a solid understanding of the underlying mechanisms will allow the development and use of alternative test methods, including both in vitro and in silico approaches. This review is specifically targeted at professionals working in bioscientific fields, such as developmental and reproductive biology, and aims to (i) inform on the existence of the AOP framework and (ii) encourage new cross-disciplinary collaborations. It is hoped that fundamental biological knowledge can thus be better exploited for applied purposes: firstly, an improved understanding of how our perpetual exposure to environmental chemicals is causing human reproductive disease and, secondly, new approaches to screen for harmful chemicals more efficiently. This is not an instructional manual on how to create AOPs; rather, we discuss how to harness fundamental knowledge from the biosciences to assist regulatory toxicologists in their efforts to protect humans against chemicals that harm human reproductive development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Kam Draskau
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Cassy M Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Julie Boberg
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Terje Svingen
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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11
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Bowles J, Feng CW, Ineson J, Miles K, Spiller CM, Harley VR, Sinclair AH, Koopman P. Retinoic Acid Antagonizes Testis Development in Mice. Cell Rep 2019; 24:1330-1341. [PMID: 30067986 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.06.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sex determination depends on a complex interplay of signals that promote the bipotential fetal gonad to develop as either a testis or an ovary, but the details are incompletely understood. Here, we investigated whether removal of the signaling molecule retinoic acid (RA) by the degradative enzyme CYP26B1 is necessary for proper development of somatic cells of the testes. Gonadal organ culture experiments suggested that RA promotes expression of some ovarian markers and suppresses expression of some testicular markers, acting downstream of Sox9. XY Cyp26b1-null embryos, in which endogenous RA is not degraded, develop mild ovotestes, but more important, steroidogenesis is impaired and the reproductive tract feminized. Experiments involving purified gonadal cells showed that these effects are independent of germ cells and suggest the direct involvement of the orphan nuclear receptor DAX1. Our results reveal that active removal of endogenous RA is required for normal testis development in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Chun-Wei Feng
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jessica Ineson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Kim Miles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Cassy M Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Vincent R Harley
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Andrew H Sinclair
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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12
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Davila RA, Harkins D, Currey L, Fraser J, Bowles J, Piper M. A simple, web-based repository for the management, access and analysis of micrographic images. J Mol Histol 2019; 50:573-580. [PMID: 31667690 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-019-09850-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Microscopy is advancing at a rapid pace, enabling high-speed, high-resolution analyses to be conducted in a wide range of cellular contexts. For example, the capacity to quickly capture high-resolution images from multiple optical sections over multiple channels with confocal microscopy has allowed researchers to gain deeper understanding of tissue morphology via techniques such as three-dimensional rendering, as have more recent advances such as lattice light sheet microscopy and superresolution structured illumination microscopy. With this, though, comes the challenge of storing, curating, analysing and sharing data. While there are ways in which this has been attempted previously, few approaches have provided a central repository in which all of these different aspects of microscopy can be seamlessly integrated. Here, we describe a web-based storage and analysis platform called Microndata, that enables relatively straightforward storage, annotation, tracking, analysis and multi-user access to micrographs. This easy to use tool will simplify and harmonise laboratory work flows, and, importantly, will provide a central storage repository that is readily accessed, even after the researcher responsible for capturing the images has left the laboratory. Microndata is open-source software, available at http://www.microndata.net/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Ayala Davila
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Danyon Harkins
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Laura Currey
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, 4111, Australia
| | - James Fraser
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
| | - Michael Piper
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
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13
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Im YH, Karabulut B, Lee K, Adhav A, Park BW, Yesil Cinkir H, Bowles J, Delgar Alfaro T, Xue H, Kim SB. Safety and efficacy of everolimus (EVE) plus exemestane (EXE) in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer (ABC): Final results from EVEREXES. Ann Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz418.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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14
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Bowles J, Caminati M, Cha S, Mendoza J. A framework for automated conflict detection and resolution in medical guidelines. Sci Comput Program 2019; 182:42-63. [PMID: 32029957 PMCID: PMC6993806 DOI: 10.1016/j.scico.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Common chronic conditions are routinely treated following standardised procedures known as clinical guidelines. For patients suffering from two or more chronic conditions, known as multimorbidity, several guidelines have to be applied simultaneously, which may lead to severe adverse effects when the combined recommendations and prescribed medications are inconsistent or incomplete. This paper presents an automated formal framework to detect, highlight and resolve conflicts in the treatments used for patients with multimorbidities focusing on medications. The presented extended framework has a front-end which takes guidelines captured in a standard modelling language and returns the visualisation of the detected conflicts as well as suggested alternative treatments. Internally, the guidelines are transformed into formal models capturing the possible unfoldings of the guidelines. The back-end takes the formal models associated with multiple guidelines and checks their correctness with a theorem prover, and inherent inconsistencies with a constraint solver. Key to our approach is the use of an optimising constraint solver which enables us to search for the best solution that resolves/minimises conflicts according to medication efficacy and the degree of severity in case of harmful combinations, also taking into account their temporal overlapping. The approach is illustrated throughout with a real medical example.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Bowles
- School of Computer Science, University of St Andrews, Jack Cole Building, St Andrews KY16 9SX, United Kingdom
| | - M.B. Caminati
- School of Computer Science, University of St Andrews, Jack Cole Building, St Andrews KY16 9SX, United Kingdom
| | - S. Cha
- Automation and Information Systems, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - J. Mendoza
- School of Computer Science, University of St Andrews, Jack Cole Building, St Andrews KY16 9SX, United Kingdom
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15
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Nomura R, Kashimada K, Suzuki H, Zhao L, Tsuji-Hosokawa A, Yagita H, Takagi M, Kanai Y, Bowles J, Koopman P, Kanai-Azuma M, Morio T. Nr5a1 suppression during the murine fetal period optimizes ovarian development by fine-tuning Notch signaling. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:jcs.223768. [PMID: 30877223 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.223768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptor NR5A1 is equally expressed and required for development of the gonadal primordia of both sexes, but, after sex determination, it is upregulated in XY testes and downregulated in XX ovaries. We have recently demonstrated, in mice, that this downregulation is mediated by forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) and hypothesized that adequate suppression of Nr5a1 is essential for normal ovarian development. Further, analysis of human patients with disorders/differences of sex development suggests that overexpression of NR5A1 can result in XX (ovo)testicular development. Here, we tested the role of Nr5a1 by overexpression in fetal gonads using a Wt1-BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) transgene system. Enforced Nr5a1 expression compromised ovarian development in 46,XX mice, resulting in late-onset infertility, but did not induce (ovo)testis differentiation. The phenotype was similar to that of XX mice lacking Notch signaling. The expression level of Notch2 was significantly reduced in Nr5a1 transgenic mice, and the ovarian phenotype was almost completely rescued by in utero treatment with a NOTCH2 agonist. We conclude that suppression of Nr5a1 during the fetal period optimizes ovarian development by fine-tuning Notch signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Nomura
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Kenichi Kashimada
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hitomi Suzuki
- Department of Experimental Animal Model for Human Disease, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Atsumi Tsuji-Hosokawa
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hideo Yagita
- Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Takagi
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Masami Kanai-Azuma
- Department of Experimental Animal Model for Human Disease, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Morio
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
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16
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Abstract
Germ cells are the stem cells of the species. Thus, it is critical that we have a good understanding of how they are specified, how the somatic cells instruct and support them, how they commit to one or other sex, and how they ultimately develop into functional gametes. Here, we focus on specifics of how sexual fate is determined during fetal life. Because the majority of relevant experimental work has been done using the mouse model, we focus on that species. We review evidence regarding the identity of instructive signals from the somatic cells, and the molecular responses that occur in germ cells in response to those extrinsic signals. In this way we aim to clarify progress to date regarding the mechanisms underlying the mitotic to meiosis switch in germ cells of the fetal ovary, and those involved in adopting and securing male fate in germ cells of the fetal testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassy Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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17
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Anuar ND, Kurscheid S, Field M, Zhang L, Rebar E, Gregory P, Buchou T, Bowles J, Koopman P, Tremethick DJ, Soboleva TA. Gene editing of the multi-copy H2A.B gene and its importance for fertility. Genome Biol 2019; 20:23. [PMID: 30704500 PMCID: PMC6357441 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-019-1633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altering the biochemical makeup of chromatin by the incorporation of histone variants during development represents a key mechanism in regulating gene expression. The histone variant H2A.B, H2A.B.3 in mice, appeared late in evolution and is most highly expressed in the testis. In the mouse, it is encoded by three different genes. H2A.B expression is spatially and temporally regulated during spermatogenesis being most highly expressed in the haploid round spermatid stage. Active genes gain H2A.B where it directly interacts with polymerase II and RNA processing factors within splicing speckles. However, the importance of H2A.B for gene expression and fertility are unknown. RESULTS Here, we report the first mouse knockout of this histone variant and its effects on fertility, nuclear organization, and gene expression. In view of the controversy related to the generation of off-target mutations by gene editing approaches, we test the specificity of TALENs by disrupting the H2A.B multi-copy gene family using only one pair of TALENs. We show that TALENs do display a high level of specificity since no off-target mutations are detected by bioinformatics analyses of exome sequences obtained from three consecutive generations of knockout mice and by Sanger DNA sequencing. Male H2A.B.3 knockout mice are subfertile and display an increase in the proportion of abnormal sperm and clogged seminiferous tubules. Significantly, a loss of proper RNA Pol II targeting to distinct transcription-splicing territories and changes to pre-mRNA splicing are observed. CONCLUSION We have produced the first H2A.B knockout mouse using the TALEN approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Diana Anuar
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Sebastian Kurscheid
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Matt Field
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.,Present Address: James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Lei Zhang
- Sangamo Therapeutics, 501 Canal Blvd, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA
| | - Edward Rebar
- Sangamo Therapeutics, 501 Canal Blvd, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA
| | - Philip Gregory
- Sangamo Therapeutics, 501 Canal Blvd, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA.,Present Address: bluebird bio, 60 Binney St, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Thierry Buchou
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm U1209, Universite' Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38700, Grenoble, France
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - David J Tremethick
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
| | - Tatiana A Soboleva
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
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18
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Walton SL, Singh RR, Little MH, Bowles J, Li J, Moritz KM. Prolonged prenatal hypoxia selectively disrupts collecting duct patterning and postnatal function in male mouse offspring. J Physiol 2018; 596:5873-5889. [PMID: 29676801 DOI: 10.1113/jp275918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS In the present study, we investigated whether hypoxia during late pregnancy impairs kidney development in mouse offspring, and also whether this has long-lasting consequences affecting kidney function in adulthood. Hypoxia disrupted growth of the kidney, particularly the collecting duct network, in juvenile male offspring. By mid-late adulthood, these mice developed early signs of kidney disease, notably a compromised response to water deprivation. Female offspring showed no obvious signs of impaired kidney development and did not develop kidney disease, suggesting an underlying protection mechanism from the hypoxia insult. These results help us better understand the long-lasting impact of gestational hypoxia on kidney development and the increased risk of chronic kidney disease. ABSTRACT Prenatal hypoxia is a common perturbation to arise during pregnancy, and can lead to adverse health outcomes in later life. The long-lasting impact of prenatal hypoxia on postnatal kidney development and maturation of the renal tubules, particularly the collecting duct system, is relatively unknown. In the present study, we used a model of moderate chronic maternal hypoxia throughout late gestation (12% O2 exposure from embryonic day 14.5 until birth). Histological analyses revealed marked changes in the tubular architecture of male hypoxia-exposed neonates as early as postnatal day 7, with disrupted medullary development and altered expression of Ctnnb1 and Crabp2 (encoding a retinoic acid binding protein). Kidneys of the RARElacZ line offspring exposed to hypoxia showed reduced β-galactosidase activity, indicating reduced retinoic acid-directed transcriptional activation. Wild-type male mice exposed to hypoxia had an early decline in urine concentrating capacity, evident at 4 months of age. At 12 months of age, hypoxia-exposed male mice displayed a compromised response to a water deprivation challenge, which was was correlated with an altered cellular composition of the collecting duct and diminished expression of aquaporin 2. There were no differences in the tubular structures or urine concentrating capacity between the control and hypoxia-exposed female offspring at any age. The findings of the present study suggest that prenatal hypoxia selectively disrupts collecting duct patterning through altered Wnt/β-catenin and retinoic acid signalling and this results in impaired function in male mouse offspring in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Walton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Reetu R Singh
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Melissa H Little
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Joan Li
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Karen M Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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19
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Sinha D, Kalimutho M, Bowles J, Chan AL, Merriner DJ, Bain AL, Simmons JL, Freire R, Lopez JA, Hobbs RM, O'Bryan MK, Khanna KK. Cep55 overexpression causes male-specific sterility in mice by suppressing Foxo1 nuclear retention through sustained activation of PI3K/Akt signaling. FASEB J 2018; 32:4984-4999. [PMID: 29683733 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201701096rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a dynamic process involving self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells, meiosis, and ultimately, the differentiation of haploid spermatids into sperm. Centrosomal protein 55 kDa (CEP55) is necessary for somatic cell abscission during cytokinesis. It facilitates equal segregation of cytoplasmic contents between daughter cells by recruiting endosomal sorting complex required for transport machinery (ESCRT) at the midbody. In germ cells, CEP55, in partnership with testes expressed-14 (TEX14) protein, has also been shown to be an integral component of intercellular bridge before meiosis. Various in vitro studies have demonstrated a role for CEP55 in multiple cancers and other diseases. However, its oncogenic potential in vivo remains elusive. To investigate, we generated ubiquitously overexpressing Cep55 transgenic ( Cep55Tg/Tg) mice aiming to characterize its oncogenic role in cancer. Unexpectedly, we found that Cep55Tg/Tg male mice were sterile and had severe and progressive defects in spermatogenesis related to spermatogenic arrest and lack of spermatids in the testes. In this study, we characterized this male-specific phenotype and showed that excessively high levels of Cep55 results in hyperactivation of PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling in testis. In line with this finding, we observed increased phosphorylation of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), and suppression of its nuclear retention, along with the relative enrichment of promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) -positive cells. Independently, we observed that Cep55 amplification favored upregulation of ret ( Ret) proto-oncogene and glial-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor α-1 ( Gfra1). Consistent with these data, we observed selective down-regulation of genes associated with germ cell differentiation in Cep55-overexpressing testes at postnatal day 10, including early growth response-4 ( Egr4) and spermatogenesis and oogenesis specific basic helix-loop-helix-1 ( Sohlh1). Thus, Cep55 amplification leads to a shift toward the initial maintenance of undifferentiated spermatogonia and ultimately results in progressive germ cell loss. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that Cep55 overexpression causes change in germ cell proportions and manifests as a Sertoli cell only tubule phenotype, similar to that seen in many azoospermic men.-Sinha, D., Kalimutho, M., Bowles, J., Chan, A.-L., Merriner, D. J., Bain, A. L., Simmons, J. L., Freire, R., Lopez, J. A., Hobbs, R. M., O'Bryan, M. K., Khanna, K. K. Cep55 overexpression causes male-specific sterility in mice by suppressing Foxo1 nuclear retention through sustained activation of PI3K/Akt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debottam Sinha
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Murugan Kalimutho
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ai-Leen Chan
- Germline Stem Cell Laboratory, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute and Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory, the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and
| | - Amanda L Bain
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jacinta L Simmons
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Raimundo Freire
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Tenerife, Spain
| | - J Alejandro Lopez
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Germline Stem Cell Laboratory, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute and Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory, the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and
| | - Kum Kum Khanna
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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20
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Abstract
Sexual reproduction crucially depends on the production of sperm in males and oocytes in females. Both types of gamete arise from the same precursor, the germ cells. We review the events that characterize the development of germ cells during fetal life as they commit to, and prepare for, oogenesis or spermatogenesis. In females, fetal germ cells enter meiosis, whereas in males they delay meiosis and instead lose pluripotency, activate an irreversible program of prospermatogonial differentiation, and temporarily cease dividing. Both pathways involve sex-specific molecular signals from the somatic cells of the developing gonads and a suite of intrinsic receptors, signal transducers, transcription factors, RNA stability factors, and epigenetic modulators that act in complex, interconnected positive and negative regulatory networks. Understanding these networks is important in the contexts of the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility and gonadal cancers, and in efforts to augment human and animal fertility using stem cell approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassy Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
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Spiller C, Burnet G, Bowles J. Regulation of fetal male germ cell development by members of the TGFβ superfamily. Stem Cell Res 2017; 24:174-180. [PMID: 28754604 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2017.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is now substantial evidence that members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ family) regulate germ cell development in the mouse fetal testis. Correct development of germ cells during fetal life is critical for establishment of effective spermatogenesis and for avoiding the formation of testicular germ cell cancer in later life. Here we consider the evidence for involvement of various TGFβ family members, attempt to reconcile discrepancies and clarify what we believe to be the likely in vivo roles of these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassy Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Guillaume Burnet
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Spiller CM, Bowles J. Germ cell neoplasia in situ: The precursor cell for invasive germ cell tumors of the testis. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2017; 86:22-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Abstract
The fetal gonad contains a great variety of differentiating cell populations, of which germ cells make up a small percentage. In order to study germ cell-specific gene and protein expression, as well as determine direct effects of signaling molecules, it is necessary to prepare enriched populations of germ cells and maintain them in culture for several hours to multiple days. The protocols in this chapter are designed to provide a guide for the isolation or enrichment of mouse primordial germ cells (from 9.5 days postcoitum (dpc) to 18.5 dpc) by flow cytometry (Subheading 3.1) or magnetic sorting (Subheading 3.2), followed by primary germ cell culture (Subheading 3.3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassy M Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Guillaume Burnet
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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McClelland KS, Bowles J. Culturing murine embryonic organs: Pros, cons, tips and tricks. Differentiation 2016; 91:50-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Germ cells are the precursors of the sperm and oocytes and hence are critical for survival of the species. In mammals, they are specified during fetal life, migrate to the developing gonads and then undergo a critical period during which they are instructed, by the soma, to adopt the appropriate sexual fate. In a fetal ovary, germ cells enter meiosis and commit to oogenesis, whereas in a fetal testis, they avoid entry into meiosis and instead undergo mitotic arrest and mature toward spermatogenesis. Here, we discuss what we know so far about the regulation of sex-specific differentiation of germ cells, considering extrinsic molecular cues produced by somatic cells, as well as critical intrinsic changes within the germ cells. This review focuses almost exclusively on our understanding of these events in the mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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McClelland KS, Ng ET, Bowles J. Agarose/gelatin immobilisation of tissues or embryo segments for orientated paraffin embedding and sectioning. Differentiation 2016; 91:68-71. [PMID: 26742717 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The technique described in this protocol allows the user to position small tissues in the optimal orientation for paraffin embedding and sectioning by first immobilising the tissue in an agarose/gelatin cube. This method is an adaptation of methods used for early embryos and can be used for any small tissues or embryo segments. Processing of larger tissue sections using molds to create agarose/gelatin blocks has been described previously; this detailed protocol provides a method for dealing with much smaller tissues or embryos (≤5mm). The tissue is briefly fixed then an agarose/gelatin drop is created to surround the tissue. The tissue can be orientated as per the user's preference in the drop before it sets as is carved into a cube with a domed top. The cube is then dehydrated and goes through the embedding and sectioning process. The domed cube is easy to orientate when embedding the tissue in a wax block giving the user assured orientation of the small tissue for sectioning. Additionally, the agarose/gelatin cube is easy to see in the unmolded wax once embedded, making the region of interest easy to identify.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn S McClelland
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ee Ting Ng
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia.
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Rios-Rojas C, Spiller C, Bowles J, Koopman P. Germ cells influence cord formation and leydig cell gene expression during mouse testis development. Dev Dyn 2016; 245:433-44. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Rios-Rojas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Australia
| | - Cassy Spiller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Australia
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Holm JB, Mazaud-Guittot S, Danneskiold-Samsøe NB, Chalmey C, Jensen B, Nørregård MM, Hansen CH, Styrishave B, Svingen T, Vinggaard AM, Koch HM, Bowles J, Koopman P, Jégou B, Kristiansen K, Kristensen DM. Intrauterine Exposure to Paracetamol and Aniline Impairs Female Reproductive Development by Reducing Follicle Reserves and Fertility. Toxicol Sci 2016; 150:178-89. [DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfv332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Spiller CM, Gillis AJM, Burnet G, Stoop H, Koopman P, Bowles J, Looijenga LHJ. Cripto: Expression, epigenetic regulation and potential diagnostic use in testicular germ cell tumors. Mol Oncol 2015; 10:526-37. [PMID: 26654129 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Type II germ cell tumors arise after puberty from a germ cell that was incorrectly programmed during fetal life. Failure of testicular germ cells to properly differentiate can lead to the formation of germ cell neoplasia in situ of the testis; this precursor cell invariably gives rise to germ cell cancer after puberty. The Nodal co-receptor Cripto is expressed transiently during normal germ cell development and is ectopically expressed in non-seminomas that arise from germ cell neoplasia in situ, suggesting that its aberrant expression may underlie germ cell dysregulation and hence germ cell cancer. Here we investigated methylation of the Cripto promoter in mouse germ cells and human germ cell cancer and correlated this with the level of CRIPTO protein expression. We found hypomethylation of the CRIPTO promoter in undifferentiated fetal germ cells, embryonal carcinoma and seminomas, but hypermethylation in differentiated fetal germ cells and the differentiated types of non-seminomas. CRIPTO protein was strongly expressed in germ cell neoplasia in situ along with embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor and seminomas. Further, cleaved CRIPTO was detected in media from seminoma and embryonal carcinoma cell lines, suggesting that cleaved CRIPTO may provide diagnostic indication of germ cell cancer. Accordingly, CRIPTO was detectable in serum from 6/15 patients with embryonal carcinoma, 5/15 patients with seminoma, 4/5 patients with germ cell neoplasia in situ cells only and in 1/15 control patients. These findings suggest that CRIPTO expression may be a useful serological marker for diagnostic and/or prognostic purposes during germ cell cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassy M Spiller
- Division of Genomics of Development and Disease, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ad J M Gillis
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC - University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015, The Netherlands
| | - Guillaume Burnet
- Division of Genomics of Development and Disease, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Departement de Biologie, Ecole Normale Superieure de Cachan, Cachan, France
| | - Hans Stoop
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC - University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Koopman
- Division of Genomics of Development and Disease, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Division of Genomics of Development and Disease, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Leendert H J Looijenga
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC - University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015, The Netherlands.
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McClelland KS, Bell K, Larney C, Harley VR, Sinclair AH, Oshlack A, Koopman P, Bowles J. Purification and Transcriptomic Analysis of Mouse Fetal Leydig Cells Reveals Candidate Genes for Specification of Gonadal Steroidogenic Cells1. Biol Reprod 2015; 92:145. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.128918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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Rios-Rojas C, Bowles J, Koopman P. On the role of germ cells in mammalian gonad development: quiet passengers or back-seat drivers? Reproduction 2015; 149:R181-91. [PMID: 25628441 DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In addition to their role as endocrine organs, the gonads nurture and protect germ cells, and regulate the formation of gametes competent to convey the genome to the following generation. After sex determination, gonadal somatic cells use several known signalling pathways to direct germ cell development. However, the extent to which germ cells communicate back to the soma, the molecular signals they use to do so and the significance of any such signalling remain as open questions. Herein, we review findings arising from the study of gonadal development and function in the absence of germ cells in a range of organisms. Most published studies support the view that germ cells are unimportant for foetal gonadal development in mammals, but later become critical for stabilisation of gonadal function and somatic cell phenotype. However, the lack of consistency in the data, and clear differences between mammals and other vertebrates and invertebrates, suggests that the story may not be so simple and would benefit from more careful analysis using contemporary molecular, cell biology and imaging tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Rios-Rojas
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Airapetian A, Akopov N, Akopov Z, Aschenauer E, Augustyniak W, Avakian R, Avetissian A, Avetisyan E, Belostotski S, Bianchi N, Blok H, Borissov A, Bowles J, Brodski I, Bryzgalov V, Burns J, Capiluppi M, Capitani G, Cisbani E, Ciullo G, Contalbrigo M, Dalpiaz P, Deconinck W, De Leo R, De Nardo L, De Sanctis E, Diefenthaler M, Di Nezza P, Düren M, Ehrenfried M, Elbakian G, Ellinghaus F, Fabbri R, Fantoni A, Felawka L, Frullani S, Gabbert D, Gapienko G, Gapienko V, Garibaldi F, Gavrilov G, Gharibyan V, Giordano F, Gliske S, Golembiovskaya M, Hadjidakis C, Hartig M, Hasch D, Hillenbrand A, Hoek M, Holler Y, Hristova I, Imazu Y, Ivanilov A, Jackson H, Jo H, Joosten S, Kaiser R, Karyan G, Keri T, Kinney E, Kisselev A, Kobayashi N, Korotkov V, Kozlov V, Kravchenko P, Krivokhijine V, Lagamba L, Lapikás L, Lehmann I, Lenisa P, López Ruiz A, Lorenzon W, Lu XR, Ma BQ, Mahon D, Makins N, Manaenkov S, Mao Y, Marianski B, Martinez de la Ossa A, Marukyan H, Miller C, Miyachi Y, Movsisyan A, Muccifora V, Murray M, Mussgiller A, Nappi E, Naryshkin Y, Nass A, Negodaev M, Nowak WD, Pappalardo L, Perez-Benito R, Raithel M, Reimer P, Reolon A, Riedl C, Rith K, Rosner G, Rostomyan A, Rubin J, Ryckbosch D, Salomatin Y, Sanftl F, Schäfer A, Schnell G, Schüler K, Seitz B, Shibata TA, Shutov V, Stancari M, Statera M, Steffens E, Steijger J, Stewart J, Stinzing F, Taroian S, Terkulov A, Truty R, Trzcinski A, Tytgat M, Vandenbroucke A, Van Haarlem Y, Van Hulse C, Veretennikov D, Vikhrov V, Vilardi I, Wang S, Yaschenko S, Ye Z, Yu W, Zagrebelnyy V, Zeiler D, Zihlmann B, Zupranski P. Transverse polarization ofΛhyperons from quasireal photoproduction on nuclei. Int J Clin Exp Med 2014. [DOI: 10.1103/physrevd.90.072007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Quinn A, Kashimada K, Davidson TL, Ng ET, Chawengsaksophak K, Bowles J, Koopman P. A site-specific, single-copy transgenesis strategy to identify 5' regulatory sequences of the mouse testis-determining gene Sry. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94813. [PMID: 24743337 PMCID: PMC3990564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Y-chromosomal gene SRY acts as the primary trigger for male sex determination in mammalian embryos. Correct regulation of SRY is critical: aberrant timing or level of Sry expression is known to disrupt testis development in mice and we hypothesize that mutations that affect regulation of human SRY may account for some of the many cases of XY gonadal dysgenesis that currently remain unexplained. However, the cis-sequences involved in regulation of Sry have not been identified, precluding a test of this hypothesis. Here, we used a transgenic mouse approach aimed at identifying mouse Sry 5' flanking regulatory sequences within 8 kb of the Sry transcription start site (TSS). To avoid problems associated with conventional pronuclear injection of transgenes, we used a published strategy designed to yield single-copy transgene integration at a defined, transcriptionally open, autosomal locus, Col1a1. None of the Sry transgenes tested was expressed at levels compatible with activation of Sox9 or XX sex reversal. Our findings indicate either that the Col1a1 locus does not provide an appropriate context for the correct expression of Sry transgenes, or that the cis-sequences required for Sry expression in the developing gonads lie beyond 8 kb 5' of the TSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Quinn
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Kenichi Kashimada
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tara-Lynne Davidson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ee Ting Ng
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Bowles J, Secker G, Nguyen C, Kazenwadel J, Truong V, Frampton E, Curtis C, Skoczylas R, Davidson TL, Miura N, Hong YK, Koopman P, Harvey NL, François M. Control of retinoid levels by CYP26B1 is important for lymphatic vascular development in the mouse embryo. Dev Biol 2014; 386:25-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2013] [Revised: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Abstract
Germ cells are unique in undergoing meiosis to generate oocytes and sperm. In mammals, meiosis onset is before birth in females, or at puberty in males, and recent studies have uncovered several regulatory steps involved in initiating meiosis in each sex. Evidence suggests that retinoic acid (RA) induces expression of the critical pre-meiosis gene Stra8 in germ cells of the fetal ovary, pubertal testis and adult testis. In the fetal testis, CYP26B1 degrades RA, while FGF9 further antagonises RA signalling to suppress meiosis. Failsafe mechanisms involving Nanos2 may further suppress meiosis in the fetal testis. Here, we draw together the growing knowledge relating to these meiotic control mechanisms, and present evidence that they are co-ordinately regulated and that additional factors remain to be identified. Understanding this regulatory network will illuminate not only how the foundations of mammalian reproduction are laid, but also how mis-regulation of these steps can result in infertility or germline tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Wei Feng
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Abstract
Fertility depends on correct regulation of meiosis, the special form of cell division that gives rise to haploid gametes. In female mammals, germ cells enter meiosis during fetal ovarian development, while germ cells in males avoid entering meiosis until puberty. Decades of research have shown that meiotic entry, and germ cell sex determination, are not initiated intrinsically within the germ cells. Instead, meiosis is induced by signals produced by the surrounding somatic cells. More recently, retinoic acid (RA), the active derivative of vitamin A, has been implicated in meiotic induction during fetal XX and postnatal XY germ cell development. Evidence for an intricate system of RA synthesis and degradation in the fetal ovary and testis has emerged, explaining past observations of infertility in vitamin A-deficient rodents. Here we review how meiosis is triggered in fetal ovarian germ cells, paying special attention to the role of RA in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassy M Spiller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Australia
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Spiller CM, Bowles J, Koopman P. Nodal/Cripto signaling in fetal male germ cell development: implications for testicular germ cell tumors. Int J Dev Biol 2013; 57:211-9. [DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.130028pk] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Spiller CM, Feng CW, Jackson A, Gillis AJM, Rolland AD, Looijenga LHJ, Koopman P, Bowles J. Endogenous Nodal signaling regulates germ cell potency during mammalian testis development. Development 2012; 139:4123-32. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.083006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Germ cells, the embryonic precursors of sperm or oocytes, respond to molecular cues that regulate their sex-specific development in the fetal gonads. In males in particular, the balance between continued proliferation and cell fate commitment is crucial: defects in proliferation result in insufficient spermatogonial stem cells for fertility, but escape from commitment and prolonged pluripotency can cause testicular germ cell tumors. However, the factors that regulate this balance remain unidentified. Here, we show that signaling by the TGFβ morphogen Nodal and its co-receptor Cripto is active during a crucial window of male germ cell development. The Nodal pathway is triggered when somatic signals, including FGF9, induce testicular germ cells to upregulate Cripto. Germ cells of mutant mice with compromised Nodal signaling showed premature differentiation, reduced pluripotency marker expression and a reduced ability to form embryonic germ (EG) cell colonies in vitro. Conversely, human testicular tumors showed upregulation of NODAL and CRIPTO that was proportional to invasiveness and to the number of malignant cells. Thus, Nodal signaling provides a molecular control mechanism that regulates male germ cell potency in normal development and testicular cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassy M. Spiller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chun-Wei Feng
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew Jackson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ad J. M. Gillis
- Department of Pathology, Josephine Nefkens Institute, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Antoine D. Rolland
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Leendert H. J. Looijenga
- Department of Pathology, Josephine Nefkens Institute, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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DiTacchio L, Bowles J, Shin S, Lim DS, Koopman P, Janknecht R. Transcription factors ER71/ETV2 and SOX9 participate in a positive feedback loop in fetal and adult mouse testis. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:23657-66. [PMID: 22613723 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.320101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ER71, also known as ETV2, is an ETS transcription factor that is expressed during embryogenesis and in adult testes. We show that Er71 transcription can be up-regulated by SRY, the key determinant of male differentiation. Accordingly, SRY bound to and activated the Er71 promoter, and mutation of a putative SRY binding site abolished this promoter activation. In turn, ER71 was able to bind to the promoter of Sox9, the primary target of SRY and a critical transcription factor for maintenance of the Sertoli cell phenotype. Mutation of the ER71 binding site in the Sox9 promoter suppressed ER71-dependent up-regulation of Sox9 transcription, and a dominant-negative ER71 molecule severely reduced Sox9 transcription in a Sertoli cell line. Conversely, SOX9 bound the Er71 promoter in vivo and Sox9 down-regulation reduced Er71 transcript levels. Together, these data suggest a mechanism by which SRY induces Sox9 and Er71 transcription early in testis differentiation, whereas ER71 and SOX9 participate in an autoregulatory loop to sustain each other's expression after Sry expression has subsided in mice. Thereby, ER71 and SOX9 may affect late testis development as well as the function of the adult male gonad.
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Nikitin SP, Manka C, Grun J, Bowles J. A technique for contactless measurement of water temperature using Stokes and anti-Stokes comparative Raman spectroscopy. Rev Sci Instrum 2012; 83:033105. [PMID: 22462904 DOI: 10.1063/1.3685613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Contactless measurements of water temperature are utilized in a number of sciences, such as oceanography, climatology, and biology. Previously reported Raman spectroscopy techniques exploited the changes in the shapes of water Raman bands. Interpretation of these changes is difficult since these bands are composed of multiple lines, each influenced not only by temperature but also by pressure and salinity. This paper presents a proof-of-principal demonstration of a contactless technique which determines water temperature from the ratio of Stokes and anti-Stokes intensities of the water 180 cm(-1) Raman band. This ratio is not sensitive to pressure and salinity, allowing reliable determination of water temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Nikitin
- Research Support Instruments Inc., 4325-B Forbes Blvd., Lanham, Maryland 20706, USA.
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Abstract
The requirement for vitamin A in reproduction and development was first determined from studies of nutritional deficiencies. Subsequent research has shown that embryonic development and both male and female reproduction are modulated by retinoic acid (RA), the active form of vitamin A. Because RA is active in multiple developmental systems, its synthesis, transport, and degradation are tightly regulated in different tissues. A growing body of evidence implicates RA as a requirement for the initiation of meiosis in both male and female mammals, resulting in a mechanistic model involving the interplay of RA, RA synthesis enzymes, RA receptors, and degradative cytochrome P450 enzymes in this system. Recently, that model has been challenged, prompting a review of the established paradigm. While it remains possible that additional molecules may be involved in regulating entry into meiosis, the weight of evidence supporting a key role for RA is incontrovertible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, 99164, USA.
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Kashimada K, Svingen T, Feng CW, Pelosi E, Bagheri-Fam S, Harley VR, Schlessinger D, Bowles J, Koopman P. Antagonistic regulation of Cyp26b1 by transcription factors SOX9/SF1 and FOXL2 during gonadal development in mice. FASEB J 2011; 25:3561-9. [PMID: 21757499 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-184333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sex determination in fetal germ cells depends on a balance between exposure to retinoic acid (RA) and the degradation of RA achieved by the testis-specific expression of the catabolic cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP26B1. Therefore, identification of factors regulating the expression of the Cyp26b1 gene is an important goal in reproductive biology. We used in situ hybridization to demonstrate that Cyp26b1 and transcription factor genes steroidogenic factor-1 (Sf1) and Sry-related HMG box 9 (Sox9) are coexpressed in Sertoli cells, whereas Cyp26b1 and Sf1 are coexpressed in Leydig cells in mouse fetal testes. In the mouse gonadal somatic cell line TM3, transfection of constructs expressing SOX9 and SF1 activated Cyp26b1 expression, independently of the positive regulator RA. In embryonic gonads deficient in SOX9 or SF1, Cyp26b1 expression was decreased relative to wild-type (WT) controls, as measured by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, qRT-PCR showed that Cyp26b1 up-regulation by SOX9/SF1 was attenuated by the ovarian transcription factor Forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) in TM3 cells, whereas in Foxl2-null mice, Cyp26b1 expression in XX gonads was increased ∼20-fold relative to WT controls. These data support the hypothesis that SOX9 and SF1 ensure the male fate of germ cells by up-regulating Cyp26b1 and that FOXL2 acts to antagonize Cyp26b1 expression in ovaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Kashimada
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Combes AN, Bowles J, Feng CW, Chiu HS, Khoo PL, Jackson A, Little MH, Tam PPL, Koopman P. Expression and functional analysis of Dkk1 during early gonadal development. Sex Dev 2011; 5:124-30. [PMID: 21654186 DOI: 10.1159/000327709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
WNT signalling plays a central role in mammalian sex determination by promoting ovarian development and repressing aspects of testis development in the early gonad. Dickkopf homolog 1 (DKK1) is a WNT signalling antagonist that plays critical roles in multiple developmental systems by modulating WNT activity. Here, we examined the role of DKK1 in mouse sex determination and early gonadal development. Dkk1 mRNA was upregulated sex-specifically during testis differentiation, suggesting that DKK1 could repress WNT signalling in the developing testis. However, we observed overtly normal testis development in Dkk1-null XY gonads, and found no significant upregulation of Axin2 or Sp5 that would indicate increased canonical WNT signalling. Nor did we find significant differences in expression of key markers of testis and ovarian development. We propose that DKK1 may play a protective role that is not unmasked by loss-of-function in the absence of other stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Combes
- Division of Molecular Genetics and Development, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld., Australia
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Verpooten GA, Aerts A, Coen N, Vancayzeele S, Hermans C, Bowles J, MacDonald K, Abraham I, Lee CS. Antihypertensive effectiveness of aliskiren for the 'real-world' management of hypertension: multilevel modelling of 180-day blood pressure outcomes (the Belgian DRIVER Study). Int J Clin Pract 2011; 65:54-63. [PMID: 21155943 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2010.02562.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The 'DRIVER' study was designed to investigate the 'real-world' effectiveness of aliskiren-based treatment of hypertension. This article reports the 180-day blood pressure (BP) outcomes, and the multilevel (physician- and patient-level) determinants thereof. METHODS AND RESULTS DRIVER was a prospective, observational, open-label, multi-centre, pharmaco-epidemiologic study of hypertensive patients treated with aliskiren in whom prior treatment failed or was not tolerated. 2070 patients (enrolled by 426 physicians) were enrolled; 1695 patients (81.9%) completed the 180-day aliskiren treatment period. Mean patient age was 64.2 ± 12.1 years; 53.7% were men, 25.3% diabetic and 40.7% had a high or very high cardiovascular (CV) risk. At 180 days, the mean ± SD reductions in systolic and diastolic BP were -22.9 ± 16.7 mmHg and -10.5 ± 10.9 mmHg respectively (both p < .001). 2007 and 2009 guideline-defined BP control was achieved in 36.4% and 56.3% of patients, respectively (both p < .001). 64.2% of eligible patients had a reduction in CV risk (p < .001). A physician-level class effect was responsible for 22.8% and 28.1% of variability in systolic and diastolic BP, respectively, for 20.1% of variability in BP control, and for 16.1% of variability in the reduction of CV risk. Both patient- (e.g. adherence) and physician-related factors (e.g. age and knowledge) were significant in profiling best response to treatment with aliskiren. Adverse events reported in this article were consistent with the aliskiren scientific leaflet. CONCLUSION Aliskiren is safe and effective in reducing BP, improving BP control and reducing global CV risk in a 'real-world' setting and for patients in whom prior treatment failed or was not tolerated. Optimising treatment adherence and strategic medical education may be ways of improving BP outcomes in patients with hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Verpooten
- Department of Nephrology-Hypertension, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat, Edegem, Belgium
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Bowles J, Feng CW, Spiller C, Davidson TL, Jackson A, Koopman P. FGF9 suppresses meiosis and promotes male germ cell fate in mice. Dev Cell 2010; 19:440-9. [PMID: 20833365 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2010.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2010] [Revised: 08/12/2010] [Accepted: 08/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sex determination of mammalian germ cells occurs during fetal development and depends on signals from gonadal somatic cells. Previous studies have established that retinoic acid (RA) triggers ovarian germ cells to enter meiosis and thereby commit to oogenesis, whereas in the developing testis, the enzyme CYP26B1 degrades RA and germ cells are not induced to enter meiosis. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we demonstrate that fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) produced in the fetal testis acts directly on germ cells to inhibit meiosis; in addition, FGF9 maintains expression of pluripotency-related genes and upregulates markers associated with male germ cell fate. We conclude that two independent and mutually antagonistic pathways involving RA and FGF9 act in concert to determine mammalian germ cell sexual fate commitment and support a model in which the mitosis/meiosis switch is robustly controlled by both positive and negative regulatory factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Bowles
- Division of Molecular Genetics and Development, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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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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Bowles J, Feng CW, Knight D, Smith CA, Roeszler KN, Bagheri-Fam S, Harley VR, Sinclair AH, Koopman P. Male-specific expression of Aldh1a1 in mouse and chicken fetal testes: implications for retinoid balance in gonad development. Dev Dyn 2009; 238:2073-80. [PMID: 19618468 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Balanced production and degradation of retinoids is important in regulating development of several organ systems in the vertebrate embryo. Among these, it is known that retinoic acid (RA), and the retinoid-catabolyzing enzyme CYP26B1 together regulate the sex-specific behavior of germ cells in developing mouse gonads. We report here that the gene encoding a cytosolic class-1 aldehyde dehydrogenase, ALDH1A1, a weak catalyst of RA production, is strongly expressed in a male-specific manner in somatic cells of the developing mouse testis, beginning shortly after Sry expression is first detectable. This expression pattern is conserved in the developing male gonad of the chicken and is dependent on the testis-specific transcription factor SOX9. Our data suggest that low levels of RA may be required for early developmental events in the testis, or that Aldh1a1 expression in the fetus may prefigure a later requirement for ALDH1A1 in regulating spermatogenesis postnatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Bowles
- Division of Molecular Genetics and Development, Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Bowles J, Feng CW, Davidson T, Koopman P. Sex Fate Determination in the Germ Line. Josephine Bowles, Ph.D. Biol Reprod 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/81.s1.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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