Project description:To better understand the epigenetic mechanism underlying pubertal onset, the hypothalamic genome-wide DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation patterns as well as the transcription profiles in mouse arcuate nucleus at early and late pubertal stages were explored. Female mice have been widely used in multiple studies on pubertal development as they present the similar molecular behaviors in HPG axis and stable cycles of menstrual calendar like human. Hypothalamic ARC underwent a huge epigenetic and genetic reprogramming to adapt to the response and feedback on sexual hormones during the stages of early pubertal (2-5-week of age) and late puberty (5-8-week of age) . We harvested 4- and 8-week hypothalamic ARC and employed RNA-seq, reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) and hydroxymethylation profiling (RRHP) on a genome-wide scale. We identified a large number of differential expressed genes (DEGs) and differential 5(h)mC signals across the whole genome. We discovered novel connections between DNA (hydroxyl)methylated modification and gene expression, emphasizing the importance of epigenetic alterations in regulating transcription in puberty onset.
Project description:To better understand the epigenetic mechanism underlying pubertal onset, the hypothalamic genome-wide DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation patterns as well as the transcription profiles in mouse arcuate nucleus at early and late pubertal stages were explored. Female mice have been widely used in multiple studies on pubertal development as they present the similar molecular behaviors in HPG axis and stable cycles of menstrual calendar like human. Hypothalamic ARC underwent a huge epigenetic and genetic reprogramming to adapt to the response and feedback on sexual hormones during the stages of early pubertal (2-5-week of age) and late puberty (5-8-week of age) . We harvested 4- and 8-week hypothalamic ARC and employed RNA-seq, reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) and hydroxymethylation profiling (RRHP) on a genome-wide scale. We identified a large number of differential expressed genes (DEGs) and differential 5(h)mC signals across the whole genome. We discovered novel connections between DNA (hydroxyl)methylated modification and gene expression, emphasizing the importance of epigenetic alterations in regulating transcription in puberty onset.
Project description:To better understand the epigenetic mechanism underlying pubertal onset, the hypothalamic genome-wide chromatin accessibility patterns in mouse arcuate nucleus at early and late pubertal stages were explored. Female mice have been widely used in multiple studies on pubertal development as they present the similar molecular behaviors in HPG axis and stable cycles of menstrual calendar like human. Hypothalamic ARC underwent a huge epigenetic and genetic reprogramming to adapt to the response and feedback on sexual hormones during the stages of early pubertal (2-5-week of age) and late puberty (5-8-week of age) . We harvested 4- and 8-week hypothalamic ARC and employed ATAC-seq on a genome-wide scale. Combined with previous RRBS, RRHP and RNA-seq, the connections between DNA (hydroxyl)methylation in retroelements and gene expression were studied, emphasizing the importance of epigenetic alterations in regulating transcription in puberty onset.
Project description:Puberty marks the end of childhood and achieve sexual maturation and fertility. The role of hypothalamic proteins in regulating puberty onset is unclear. We performed a comprehensive differential proteomics and phosphoproteomics analysis in prepubertal and pubertal goats to determine the roles of hypothalamic proteins and phosphoproteins during the onset of puberty.
Project description:The human testis undergoes dramatic developmental and structural changes during puberty, including proliferation and maturation of niche/somatic cells, and the onset of spermatogenesis. Here, we profiled and analyzed single-cell transcriptomes of ~10,000 testicular cells from four boys spanning puberty, and compared to infants and adults. During puberty, undifferentiated spermatogonia first expand and then differentiate, prior to gametogenesis. Notably, we identify a common pre-pubertal progenitor for Leydig and myoid cells, and reveal candidate factors/pathways for pubertal differentiation. Furthermore, pre-pubertal Sertoli cells form two states that differ in mitochondrial/metabolic transcription, which converge to a single mature population during puberty. Roles for testosterone in Sertoli cell maturation, antimicrobial peptide secretion and spermatogonial differentiation are revealed through analyses of testosterone-suppressed transgender female testis and via in vitro seminiferous tubule culturing. Overall, our transcriptional atlas of the developing human testis provides major insights into developmental changes and key factors/pathways that accompany male puberty.