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Ozturk S. Genetic variants underlying developmental arrests in human preimplantation embryos. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad024. [PMID: 37335858 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad024] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental arrest in preimplantation embryos is one of the major causes of assisted reproduction failure. It is briefly defined as a delay or a failure of embryonic development in producing viable embryos during ART cycles. Permanent or partial developmental arrest can be observed in the human embryos from one-cell to blastocyst stages. These arrests mainly arise from different molecular biological defects, including epigenetic disturbances, ART processes, and genetic variants. Embryonic arrests were found to be associated with a number of variants in the genes playing key roles in embryonic genome activation, mitotic divisions, subcortical maternal complex formation, maternal mRNA clearance, repairing DNA damage, transcriptional, and translational controls. In this review, the biological impacts of these variants are comprehensively evaluated in the light of existing studies. The creation of diagnostic gene panels and potential ways of preventing developmental arrests to obtain competent embryos are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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Adams DM, Williamson SA, Evans RG, Reina RD. Increasing hypoxia progressively slows early embryonic development in an oviparous reptile, the green turtle, Chelonia mydas. R Soc Open Sci 2022; 9:220709. [PMID: 36061518 PMCID: PMC9428527 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) embryos are in an arrested state of development when the eggs are laid, but in the presence of oxygen, arrest is broken and development resumes within 12-16 h. However, the precise oxygen level at which embryos break arrest and continue development is not known. To better understand the impact of oxygen concentration on breaking of arrest and early embryonic development, we incubated freshly laid eggs of the green sea turtle for three days at each of six different oxygen concentrations (less than or equal to 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 9% and 21%) and monitored the appearance and growth of white spots on the shell, indicative of embryonic development. As reported previously, white spots did not develop on eggs incubated in anoxia (less than or equal to 1% oxygen). For all other treatments, mean time to white spot detection and white spot growth rate varied inversely with oxygen concentration. In nearly all cases the difference between eggs at different oxygen levels was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). This suggests that sea turtle embryonic development may respond to oxygen in a dose-dependent manner. Our results indicate that the development of green turtle embryos may be slowed if they are exposed to the most hypoxic conditions reported in mature natural nests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roger G. Evans
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Pre-clinical Critical Care Unit, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Zheng W, Hu H, Dai J, Zhang S, Gu Y, Dai C, Guo J, Xu X, Li Y, Zhang S, Hu L, Gong F, Lu G, Lin G. Expanding the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of the subcortical maternal complex genes in recurrent preimplantation embryonic arrest. Clin Genet 2020; 99:286-291. [PMID: 33020905 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) is an oocyte-to-embryo-specific maternal functional module. Some variants of SCMC genes that contribute to preimplantation embryonic arrest have been identified. However, more novel variants should be identified to broaden the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of SCMC genes and establish their roles in embryonic development. We identified 13 novel variants in the SCMC genes, TLE6, NLRP5, NLRP2, and PADI6, from 10 of a total of 50 infertile females with recurrent preimplantation embryonic arrest. Six variants in TLE6 were found in five patients with embryonic arrest, accompanied by direct cleavage and severe fragmentation at the cleavage stage. Three patients carried NLRP5 variants, and one patient each who carried NLRP2 and PADI6 variants had subsequent poor or failed fertilization and cleavage arrest with a relatively lower ratio of severely fragmented embryos. Our findings expand the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of SCMC genes associated with human embryogenesis and might help lay the foundation for the genetic diagnosis of female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zheng
- College of life science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
| | - Huiling Hu
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Lab of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Dai
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Lab of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuoping Zhang
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
| | - Yifan Gu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China.,Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Lab of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Can Dai
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
| | - Xinxin Xu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
| | - Shunji Zhang
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
| | - Liang Hu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China.,Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Lab of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Gong
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China.,Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Lab of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China.,Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Lab of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China.,Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Lab of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Mu J, Wang W, Chen B, Wu L, Li B, Mao X, Zhang Z, Fu J, Kuang Y, Sun X, Li Q, Jin L, He L, Sang Q, Wang L. Mutations in NLRP2 and NLRP5 cause female infertility characterised by early embryonic arrest. J Med Genet 2019; 56:471-480. [PMID: 30877238 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [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: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful human reproduction requires normal spermatogenesis, oogenesis, fertilisation and early embryonic development, and abnormalities in any of these processes will result in infertility. Early embryonic arrest is commonly observed in infertile patients with recurrent failure of assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the genetic basis for early embryonic arrest is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE We aim to identify genetic causes of infertile patients characterised by early embryonic arrest. METHODS We pursued exome sequencing in a proband with embryonic arrest from the consanguineous family. We further screened candidate genes in a cohort of 496 individuals diagnosed with early embryonic arrest by Sanger sequencing. Effects of mutations were investigated in HeLa cells, oocytes and embryos. RESULTS We identified five independent individuals carrying biallelic mutations in NLRP2. We also found three individuals from two families carrying biallelic mutations in NLRP5. These mutations in NLRP2 and NLRP5 caused decreased protein expression in vitro and in oocytes and embryos. CONCLUSIONS NLRP2 and NLRP5 are novel mutant genes responsible for human early embryonic arrest. This finding provides additional potential diagnostic markers for patients with recurrent failure of ART and helps us to better understand the genetic basis of female infertility characterised by early embryonic arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Biaobang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Mao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Fu
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanping Kuang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxi Sun
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiaoli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin He
- Bio-X Center, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Sang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Center for Women and Children's Health, Shanghai, China
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Williamson SA, Evans RG, Manolis SC, Webb GJ, Reina RD. Ecological and evolutionary significance of a lack of capacity for extended developmental arrest in crocodilian eggs. R Soc Open Sci 2017; 4:171439. [PMID: 29308266 PMCID: PMC5750033 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia within the oviducts maintains embryonic arrest in turtles at the pre-ovipositional stage, which expands the timeframe over which nesting can occur without compromising embryo survival. The arrest can be extended post-oviposition through incubation of eggs in hypoxia. We determined whether crocodilian embryos have this same capacity. We also tested whether increased oxygen availability during incubation alters hatching success. We incubated freshly laid saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) eggs (N = 83) at 32°C in one of five treatments; control (normoxia; 21% O2), 3-day and 6-day hypoxia (1% O2), or 3-day and 6-day hyperoxia (42% O2). Incubation (approx. 82 days) was then completed in normoxia. There was a significant effect of treatment on survival of embryos through to hatching (p < 0.001). The hypoxic treatments resulted in almost no hatching (6.7% and 0% survival for the 3- and 6-day treatments, respectively), while the hyperoxic and control treatments resulted in normal to high hatching success (86.6%, 100% and 64.2% for the control, 3- and 6-day hyperoxic treatments, respectively). Unlike turtles, hypoxic incubation of crocodile eggs failed to delay development. Our results provide the first experimental evidence that, unlike turtles, crocodiles do not exhibit embryonic arrest when incubated under hypoxic conditions immediately following oviposition. An absence of embryonic arrest is of ecological and evolutionary significance, as it implies that crocodilians lack an ability to avoid adverse environmental conditions through delayed nesting and that, unlike turtles, embryonic arrest may not be a potential explanation for the lack of viviparity in the order Crocodylia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean A. Williamson
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Author for correspondence: Sean A. Williamson e-mail:
| | - Roger G. Evans
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biosciences Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - S. Charlie Manolis
- Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, PO Box 530, Karama, Northern Territory 0813, Australia
| | - Grahame J. Webb
- Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, PO Box 530, Karama, Northern Territory 0813, Australia
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory 0909, Australia
| | - Richard D. Reina
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Metzler R, Meleshkevitch EA, Fox J, Kim H, Boudko DY. An SLC6 transporter of the novel B(0,)- system aids in absorption and detection of nutrient amino acids in Caenorhabditis elegans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 216:2843-57. [PMID: 23580723 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.081497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient amino acid transporters (NATs) of solute carrier family 6 (SLC6) mediate uptake of essential amino acids in mammals and insects. Phylogenomic analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans (Ce) SLC6 family identifies five genes paralogous to an insect-specific NAT subfamily. Here we cloned and characterized the first representative of the identified nematode-specific transporters, SNF-5. SNF-5 mediates broad spectrum cation-coupled transport of neutral amino acids with submillimolar affinities and stoichiometry of 1 AA:1 Na(+), except for 1 l-Pro:2 Na(+). Unexpectedly, it transports acidic l-Glu(-) and l-Asp(-) (1 AA(-):3 Na(+)), revealing it to be the first member of a new B(0,-) system among characterized SLC6 transporters. This activity correlates with a unique positively charged His(+) 377 in the substrate-binding pocket. snf-5 promoter-driven enhanced green fluorescent protein labels intestinal cells INT1-9 and three pairs of amphid sensory neurons: ASI, ADF and ASK. These cells are intimately involved in control of dauer diapause, development, metabolism and longevity. The snf-5 deletion mutants do not show apparent morphological disorders, but increase dauer formation while reducing dauer maintenance upon starvation. Overall, the present study characterized the first nematode-specific NAT and revealed important structural and functional aspects of this transporter. In addition to the predictable role in alimentary amino acid absorption, our results indicate possible neuronal roles of SNF-5 as an amino acid provider to specific neuronal functions, including sensing of amino acid availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Metzler
- The Department of Physiology and Biophysics of the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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