Elucidating the Role of Gonadal Hormones in Sexually Dimorphic Gene Coexpression Networks

Abstract Background The oral and pharyngeal jaw of cichlid fishes are a classic example of evolutionary modularity as their functional decoupling boosted trophic diversification and contributed to the success of cichlid adaptive radiations. Most studies until now have focused on the functional, morphological, or genetic aspects of cichlid jaw modularity. Here we extend this concept to include transcriptional modularity by sequencing whole transcriptomes of the two jaws and comparing their gene coexpression networks. Results We show that transcriptional decoupling of gene expression underlies the functional decoupling of cichlid oral and pharyngeal jaw apparatus and the two units are evolving independently in recently diverged cichlid species from Lake Tanganyika. Oral and pharyngeal jaw coexpression networks reflect the common origin of the jaw regulatory program as there is high preservation of gene coexpression modules between the two sets of jaws. However, there is substantial rewiring of genetic architecture within those modules. We define a global jaw coexpression network and highlight jaw-specific and species-specific modules within it. Furthermore, we annotate a comprehensive in silico gene regulatory network linking the Wnt and AHR signalling pathways to jaw morphogenesis and response to environmental cues, respectively. Components of these pathways are significantly differentially expressed between the oral and pharyngeal jaw apparatus. Conclusion This study describes the concerted expression of many genes in cichlid oral and pharyngeal jaw apparatus at the onset of the independent life of cichlid fishes. Our findings suggest that – on the basis of an ancestral gill arch network—transcriptional rewiring may have driven the modular evolution of the oral and pharyngeal jaws, highlighting the evolutionary significance of gene network reuse. The gene coexpression and in silico regulatory networks presented here are intended as resource for future studies on the genetics of vertebrate jaw morphogenesis and trophic adaptation.

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The state of the art in soybean transcriptomics resources and gene coexpression networks

in silico Plants ◽

10.1093/insilicoplants/diab005 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fabricio Almeida-Silva ◽

Kanhu C Moharana ◽

Thiago M Venancio

Keyword(s):

State Of The Art ◽

The State ◽

Gene Coexpression Network ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Transcriptomic Data ◽

The Past ◽

Gene Coexpression ◽

Genomics Research ◽

Public Repositories ◽

Coexpression Networks

Abstract In the past decade, over 3000 samples of soybean transcriptomic data have accumulated in public repositories. Here, we review the state of the art in soybean transcriptomics, highlighting the major microarray and RNA-seq studies that investigated soybean transcriptional programs in different tissues and conditions. Further, we propose approaches for integrating such big data using gene coexpression network and outline important web resources that may facilitate soybean data acquisition and analysis, contributing to the acceleration of soybean breeding and functional genomics research.

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The Role of Sonic Hedgehog-Gli2 Pathway in the Masculinization of External Genitalia

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/en.2011-0263 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 152 (7) ◽

pp. 2894-2903 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Shinichi Miyagawa ◽

Daisuke Matsumaru ◽

Aki Murashima ◽

Akiko Omori ◽

Yoshihiko Satoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathway ◽

Sonic Hedgehog ◽

Hedgehog Signaling ◽

External Genitalia ◽

Sexually Dimorphic ◽

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway ◽

Initial Development ◽

Urethral Plate ◽

Male External Genitalia

During embryogenesis, sexually dimorphic organogenesis is achieved by hormones produced in the gonad. The external genitalia develop from a single primordium, the genital tubercle, and their masculinization processes depend on the androgen signaling. In addition to such hormonal signaling, the involvement of nongonadal and locally produced masculinization factors has been unclear. To elucidate the mechanisms of the sexually dimorphic development of the external genitalia, series of conditional mutant mouse analyses were performed using several mutant alleles, particularly focusing on the role of hedgehog signaling pathway in this manuscript. We demonstrate that hedgehog pathway is indispensable for the establishment of male external genitalia characteristics. Sonic hedgehog is expressed in the urethral plate epithelium, and its signal is mediated through glioblastoma 2 (Gli2) in the mesenchyme. The expression level of the sexually dimorphic genes is decreased in the glioblastoma 2 mutant embryos, suggesting that hedgehog signal is likely to facilitate the masculinization processes by affecting the androgen responsiveness. In addition, a conditional mutation of Sonic hedgehog at the sexual differentiation stage leads to abnormal male external genitalia development. The current study identified hedgehog signaling pathway as a key factor not only for initial development but also for sexually dimorphic development of the external genitalia in coordination with androgen signaling.

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Altered Serotonergic Activity in Women with Dysphoric Premenstrual Syndromes

The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine ◽

10.2190/j2w0-rtgd-nykk-ff77 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 1-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Uriel Halbreich ◽

Henry Tworek

Keyword(s):

Treatment Outcome ◽

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Symptomatic Treatment ◽

Gonadal Hormones ◽

Interactive System ◽

Library Search ◽

Serotonergic Activity ◽

Late Luteal Phase

Objective: Dysphoric Premenstrual Syndromes (PMS) are quite prevalent and in some women they are severe enough to warrant treatment. Their pathophysiology is still unknown, despite increased interest and research. Here we review the possible role of serotonin in the multidimensional interactive pathophysiology of PMS. Method: Over 170 articles are reviewed. An extensive library search has been conducted and articles are included because of their relevance to: 1) the phenomenology of PMS; 2) the putative association of serotonergic (5-HT) activity with syndromes that occur premenstrually; 3) changes in 5-HT activity along the menstrual cycle, especially the late luteal phase; 4) influence of gonadal hormones on serotonergic functions; 5) endocrine strategies for assessment of 5-HT abnormalities; and 6) treatment studies of PMS with serotonergic agonists. Results and Conclusions: The data presented here suggest that post-synaptic serotonergic responsivity might be altered during the late-luteal-premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. Some serotonergic functions of women with PMS might be altered during the entire cycle and be associated with a vulnerability trait. It is hypothesized that gonadal hormones might cause changes in levels of activity of 5-HT systems as part of a multidimensional interactive system. Strategies to evaluate 5-HT activities in the context of the menstrual cycle are discussed—leading to the conclusion that the most promising approach is active stimulation with specific post-synaptic serotonin agonists. Treatment outcome studies of some imperfect compounds that are currently applied as a symptomatic treatment of PMS support the notion that 5-HT is involved in the pathophysiology of these syndromes.

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Inferring gene coexpression networks with Biclustering based on Scatter Search

2011 11th International Conference on Intelligent Systems Design and Applications ◽

10.1109/isda.2011.6121804 ◽

2011 ◽

Author(s):

Juan A. Nepomuceno ◽

Alicia Troncoso ◽

Jesus S. Aguilar-Ruiz

Keyword(s):

Scatter Search ◽

Gene Coexpression ◽

Coexpression Networks

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Carotenoid-based plumage colouration in red bishops (Euplectes orix) — signalling presence rather than quality?

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/000579511x608693 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 148 (11-13) ◽

pp. 1372-1392 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Alice U. Edler ◽

Thomas W.P. Friedl

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Success ◽

Parasite Load ◽

Blood Parasite ◽

Male Reproductive Success ◽

Sexually Dimorphic ◽

Male Quality ◽

Plumage Colouration ◽

Selection For ◽

Breeding Plumage

AbstractThe role of bright plumage colouration for female choice has been the focus of research in sexual selection for many years, with several studies showing that females prefer the most elaborately ornamented males, which are often also the highest quality individuals. Here, we analysed the associations between reproductive performance and plumage, body condition and blood parasite load in the red bishop (Euplectes orix), a sexually dimorphic and polygynous weaverbird species, where males in a carotenoid-based orange-to-red breeding plumage defend territories and build many nests to which they try to attract females. Male reproductive success in terms of number of nests accepted was mainly determined by the number of nests built, but was also positively related to blood parasite load, while we found no influence of plumage characteristics. Together with previously obtained data, our results indicate that plumage characteristics in the red bishop do not affect male reproductive success and are generally not suitable to reliably indicate male quality. We suggest that the primary function of the brilliant orange-scarlet breeding plumage might be presence signalling in terms of increasing conspicuousness of breeding males to females searching for mates.

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