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Identification of histone modifications reveals an association of H2b monoubiquitination with gonadal transdifferentiation

ABSTRACT: Gonadal trans-differentiation from ovary to testis occurs in a same individual, suggesting a role of epigenetic regulation. However, histone modifications concerning the sex reversal process remain elusive. Here, we report a developmental atlas of histone modifications in the gonadal differentiation, including acetylation, methylation, and ubiquitination, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We provided a detail distribution map of these modification sites including novel histone modifications along histones H2a, H2b, H3, and H4, and revealed their relationship with types of gonadal differentiation. We then determined a testis-enriched histone modification site, H2b monoubiquitination at K120, and its association with spermatogenesis. ChIP-seq demonstrated that the modification was highly enriched in the male sex-determining gene dmrt1, in particular association with its exon regions, suggesting its role in transcriptional elongation of dmrt1 in testis. Together, these data not only provide a new resource for epigenetic study in gonadal development, but also define an association of histone modifications in gonadal differentiation from ovary to testis.

ORGANISM(S): Monopterus albus

PROVIDER: GSE168541 | GEO | 2021/06/30

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Gonadal sex differentiation – testis versus ovary formation – is a fundamental process required for reproduction and evolution. Reflecting this importance, the embryonic gonads of vertebrate species comprise the same key cell types; germ cells, supporting cells and interstitial steroidogenic cells. Remarkably, the genetic triggers for gonadal sex differentiation vary across species (the SRY gene in mammals, DMRT1 in birds and some turtles, temperature in many reptiles, AMH and various other genes in fishes). Despite this variation, the cell biology of gonadal development was long thought to be largely conserved. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of gonadal sex differentiation, using the chicken embryo as a model and considering the entire gonad. We sampled over 30,000 cells across several developmental stages, prior, during and after the onset of gonadal sex differentiation. The data provide several new insights into cell lineage specification during vertebrate gonadogenesis. Combining lineage tracing with single cell transcriptomics, the data show that somatic supporting cells of the embryonic chicken gonad do not derive from the coelomic epithelium, in contrast to other vertebrates studied. Instead, the early somatic precursors cells of the gonads in both sexes derive from a DMRT1+/PAX2+/WNT4+/OSR1+ mesenchymal cell population. In particular, PAX2 marks immigrating mesenchymal cells that give rise to the supporting cell lineage. We find a greater complexity of gonadal cell types than previously thought, including the identification of two distinct sub-populations of Sertoli cells in developing testes, and derivation of embryonic steroidogenic cells from a differentiated supporting cell lineage. We provide significantly improved resolution of gonadal cell types and identify several new gonadal marker genes. Altogether, these results indicate that, just as the genetic trigger for sex differs across vertebrate groups, cell lineage specification in the gonad may also vary substantially.

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Identification of histone modifications reveals an association of H2b monoubiquitination with gonadal transdifferentiation

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