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CRISPR/Cas9-mediated activation of NR5A1 steers female human embryonic stem cell-derived bipotential gonadal-like cells towards a steroidogenic cell fate.

ABSTRACT: The nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1), encoding steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), has been identified as a critical factor in gonadal development in animal studies. A previous study of ours suggested that upregulation of NR5A1 during early gonadal differentiation in male (46,XY) human pluripotent stem cells steers the cells into a more mature gonadal cell type. However, the detailed role of NR5A1 in female gonadal differentiation has yet to be determined. In this study, by combining the processes of gonadal differentiation and conditional gene activation, we show that NR5A1 induction predominantly upregulates the female gonadal marker inhibin subunit α (INHA) and steroidogenic markers steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (CYP11A1), cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1 (CYP17A1), hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B2) and hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase 1 (HSD17B1). In contrast, NR5A1 induction did not seem to affect the bipotential gonadal markers gata binding protein 4 (GATA4) and Wilms tumour suppressor 1 (WT1) nor the female gonadal markers r-spondin 1 (RSPO1) and wnt family member 4 (WNT4). Differentially expressed genes were highly associated with adrenal and ovarian steroidogenesis pathways. Moreover, time-series analysis revealed different dynamic changes between male and female -induced samples, where continuously upregulated genes in female gonadal differentiation were mostly associated with adrenal steroidogenesis. Thus, in contrast to male gonadal differentiation, NR5A1 is necessary but not sufficient to steer human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived bipotential gonadal-like cells towards a more mature somatic, female cell fate. Instead, it seems to direct bipotential gonadal-like cells more towards a steroidogenic-like cell population. The information obtained in this study helps in elucidating the role of NR5A1 in gonadal differentiation of a female stem cell line.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE236653 | GEO | 2023/09/27

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Steroid hormones regulate essential physiological processes and inadequate levels are associated with various pathological conditions. In testosterone-producing Leydig cells, steroidogenesis is strongly stimulated by LH via its receptor leading to increased cAMP production and expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) protein, which is essential for the initiation of steroidogenesis. Leydig cell steroidogenesis then passively decreases following the rapid degradation of cAMP into AMP by phosphodiesterases. In this study, we show that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is activated following cAMP breakdown in MA-10 and MLTC-1 Leydig cells. Activated AMPK then actively inhibits cAMP-induced steroidogenesis by repressing the expression of key regulators of steroidogenesis including Star and Nr4a1. Similar results were obtained in Y-1 adrenal cells and in the constitutive steroidogenic cell line R2C. Our data identify AMPK as an active repressor of steroid hormone biosynthesis in steroidogenic cells that is essential to preserve cellular energy and prevent excess steroid production. Steroid hormones regulate essential physiological processes and inadequate levels are associated with various pathological conditions. In testosterone-producing Leydig cells, steroidogenesis is strongly stimulated by LH via its receptor leading to increased cAMP production and expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) protein, which is essential for the initiation of steroidogenesis. Leydig cell steroidogenesis then passively decreases following the rapid degradation of cAMP into AMP by phosphodiesterases. In this study, we show that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is activated following cAMP breakdown in MA-10 and MLTC-1 Leydig cells. Activated AMPK then actively inhibits cAMP-induced steroidogenesis by repressing the expression of key regulators of steroidogenesis including Star and Nr4a1. Similar results were obtained in Y-1 adrenal cells and in the constitutive steroidogenic cell line R2C. Our data identify AMPK as an active repressor of steroid hormone biosynthesis in steroidogenic cells that is essential to preserve cellular energy and prevent excess steroid production. MA-10 Leydig cells were treated with either DMSO (control), 10 uM forskolin or forskolin+Aicar (1 mM) for 1.5 h before total RNA extraction

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CRISPR/Cas9-mediated activation of NR5A1 steers female human embryonic stem cell-derived bipotential gonadal-like cells towards a steroidogenic cell fate.

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