Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a highly conserved class of small RNAs which function in a sequence-specific manner to post-transcriptionally regulate expression of target genes. Tissue-specific miRNA expression studies have discovered numerous functions for miRNAs in various aspects of embryonic development, but a role for miRNAs in gonadal development and sex differentiation has not yet been reported. Using the chicken embryo as a vertebrate model, differential miRNA expression between male and female embryonic gonads, was analysed at three developmental stages (embryonic days (E) 5.5, E6.5 and E9.5), using custom-designed 4x2K CombiMatrix miRNA microarray. The aims of this study were to: 1-identify miRNAs differentialy expressed by sex; 2-identify sex-specific miRNAs; 3-analyse global changes in miRNA up-regulation in male versus female gonads before, during and after the histological onset of sexual differentiation. This study provides a basis for establishing whetehr miRNAs are involved in either initiating or regulating vertebrate gonadal sex differentiation. Keywords: miRNA, sex comparison, developmental stage comparison.
Project description:Asymmetrical gonadal development is an intriguing phenomenon observed in the majority of female birds. In chickens, the left gonad of female embryos develops into a functional ovary, while the right gonad undergoes degeneration during embryogenesis. This sexually dimorphic trait is primarily induced by the spatial differential expression of the PITX2 gene. However, a comprehensive understanding of the transcriptional profile of the developing gonads during asymmetric development is still lacking. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of asymmetric gonadal development in chickens, we compared the transcriptomes between left and right gonads of female chickens using bulk- and single cell (sc) -RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) approaches. Our bulk RNA-seq analysis of the female chicken gonads at E5 (HH26), E6.5 (HH30), E8 (HH34), and E9.5 (HH36) revealed significant differential gene expression between the left and right female chicken gonads, particularly in signaling pathways, cell cycle, and metabolic processes. Moreover, scRNA-seq analysis revealed that coelomic epithelial, interstitial, and pre-granulosa cells of the left gonads share a highly proliferative status, contributing to the asymmetric gonadal cell proliferation, which may be regulated by the TGFβ signaling pathway. Our findings demonstrate that dynamic cell-type-specific transcriptional profiles during embryogenesis play a vital role in the asymmetric gonadal development of female chickens.
Project description:Asymmetrical gonadal development is an intriguing phenomenon observed in the majority of female birds. In chickens, the left gonad of female embryos develops into a functional ovary, while the right gonad undergoes degeneration during embryogenesis. This sexually dimorphic trait is primarily induced by the spatial differential expression of the PITX2 gene. However, a comprehensive understanding of the transcriptional profile of the developing gonads during asymmetric development is still lacking. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of asymmetric gonadal development in chickens, we compared the transcriptomes between left and right gonads of female chickens using bulk- and single cell (sc) -RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) approaches. Our bulk RNA-seq analysis of the female chicken gonads at E5 (HH26), E6.5 (HH30), E8 (HH34), and E9.5 (HH36) revealed significant differential gene expression between the left and right female chicken gonads, particularly in signaling pathways, cell cycle, and metabolic processes. Moreover, scRNA-seq analysis revealed that coelomic epithelial, interstitial, and pre-granulosa cells of the left gonads share a highly proliferative status, contributing to the asymmetric gonadal cell proliferation, which may be regulated by the TGFβ signaling pathway. Our findings demonstrate that dynamic cell-type-specific transcriptional profiles during embryogenesis play a vital role in the asymmetric gonadal development of female chickens.
Project description:Following sex determination, XY and XX gonads develop into a testis and an ovary, respectively. Depending on the sex of the gonad, resident germ cells will subsequently be committed to either spermatogenesis or oogenesis. In this study we took advantage of the Wv/Wv mouse genetic model, in which gonads are almost devoided of germ cells, to uncover gene expression underlying fetal germ cell development.
Project description:Gonadal sex determining (GSD) genes that initiate fetal ovarian and testicular development and differentiation are expressed in the cells of the urogenital ridge that differentiate as somatic support cells (SSCs), i.e., granulosa cells of the ovary and Sertoli cells of the testis. To identify potential new mammalian GSD genes, we analyzed the gene expression differences between XX and XY SSCs cells isolated from the gonads of embryonic day (E) 13 mouse fetuses carrying an EGFP reporter transgene expressed specifically in SSCs. In addition, genome wide expression differences between XX and XY E13 whole gonads were examined. Newly identified differentially expressed transcripts are potential GSD genes involved in unexplained human sex reversal cases. Keywords: microarray, mouse fetal gonadal somatic support cells, sex determination
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a highly conserved class of small RNAs which function in a sequence-specific manner to post-transcriptionally regulate expression of target genes. Tissue-specific miRNA expression studies have discovered numerous functions for miRNAs in various aspects of embryonic development, but a role for miRNAs in gonadal development and sex differentiation has not yet been reported. Using the chicken embryo as a vertebrate model, differential miRNA expression between male and female embryonic gonads, was analysed at three developmental stages (embryonic days (E) 5.5, E6.5 and E9.5), using custom-designed 4x2K CombiMatrix miRNA microarray. The aims of this study were to: 1-identify miRNAs differentialy expressed by sex; 2-identify sex-specific miRNAs; 3-analyse global changes in miRNA up-regulation in male versus female gonads before, during and after the histological onset of sexual differentiation. This study provides a basis for establishing whetehr miRNAs are involved in either initiating or regulating vertebrate gonadal sex differentiation. Keywords: miRNA, sex comparison, developmental stage comparison. miRNA samples from male and female embryonic chicken gonads from three developmental stages: embryonic day (E) 5.5 (Hamilton & Hamburger (HH) stage 27-28), E6.5 (HH stage 29-30) & E9.5 (HH stage 35-36). Samples are listed with biological replicates used for analysis in brackets following: 1 - Male E5.5 (5); 2 - Female E5.5 (4); 3 - Male E6.5 (5); 4 - Female E6.5 (3); 5 - Male E9.5 (4); 6 - Female E9.5 (4).
Project description:Sex determination in the honeybee (Apis mellifera) is governed by the queen-controlled unfertilization or fertilization of embryo, though the mechanisms of determination are poorly understood. Here, we obtained the transcriptomes from individual worker and drone embryo during the embryonic development (day 1 to day 3). We show that transcriptional difference between worker and drone embryo is very small during the first day of hatching, during which sex-determinant gene csd expresses similarly. Differential transcription between worker and drone embryo bursts at day 2, among which csd is induced in worker embryo at day 2 and sex-lethal gene sxl is repressed in male embryo. An unexpected global regulation of alternative splicing accompanies the honeybee embryonic development, and male and worker embryo show distinct regulatory patterns and mechanisms. This study suggests the honeybee sex determination is more globally controlled at both the transcriptional and alternative splicing levels.
Project description:Sex determination is the process by which and original bipotential gonad differentiate into either a testis or ovaries. While mammals and birds determine their sex solely by genetic clues (genetic sex determination, GSD), other vertebrates like the turtle Trachemys scripta are influenced by environmental factors, like temperature (environmental sex determination, ESD). In both cases an initially bipotential gonad develops into either testes or ovaries in response to GSD or ESD cues. In order to shed light into the differences and similarities between sex determination systems we performed single-cell RNA-seq on Trachemys scripta developing gonads during the sex determination window.