Project description:To identify key genes in the early sex development of zebrafish, we generated zebrafish (AB strain) feminized by sex hormone 17β-estradiol (E2, CAS: 50-28-2, 100 ng/L) and masculinized by aromatase inhibitor exemestane (EM, CAS: 107868-30-4, 10 μg/L), and detected their transcriptomes by RNA-seq.
Project description:mRNA-seq of zebrafish treated with sex hormone 17β-estradiol and aromatase inhibitor exemestane at 12dpf (mixed species RNA preparation prepared with Drosophila S2 cell RNA)
Project description:To explore the transcriptional effects of aromatase inhibitors on sex differentiation of zebrafish, we exposed 3-month-old zebrafish (AB strain) to the third generation aromatase inhibitor Exemestane (CAS: 107868-30-4) and characterized transcript abundance among testes and ovaries after 32 days of drug exposure. After the drug treatment, we dissected zebrafish gonads, isolated polyA+ RNA and performed high-throughput RNA-Seq analysis.
Project description:Identification and relative quantification of proteins associated with substance specific alterations and sex-specific physiological responses following aromatase inhibition.
Project description:MCF-7aro cells were used to generate a cell culture model system that is resistant to 3 aromatase inhibitors (AIs), letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane. For comparison, the MCF-7aro cells were also used to generate the tamoxifen-resistant cells as well as long-term estrogen deprived, LTEDaro. Affymetrix microarray analysis was performed to determine changes in gene expression that are unique to AI-resistance. Experiment Overall Design: For control purposes, MCF-7aro cells were cultured without any hormone or inhibitor as well as a hormone-only control (T-only). Resistant cells were grown in the presence of testosterone, T+LET R (letrozole), T+ANA R (anastrozole), T+EXE R (exemestane), T+TAM R (Tamoxifen). In addition, testosterone-free resistant lines were generated, LTEDaro, ANA R and EXE R. 6 replicates were generated for the hormone-containing resistant lines and 3 replicates for the hormone-free resistant lines.
Project description:MCF-7aro cells were used to generate a cell culture model system that is resistant to 3 aromatase inhibitors (AIs), letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane. For comparison, the MCF-7aro cells were also used to generate the tamoxifen-resistant cells as well as long-term estrogen deprived, LTEDaro. Affymetrix microarray analysis was performed to determine changes in gene expression that are unique to AI-resistance. Keywords: cell lines, aromatase inhibitor resistance, tamoxifen resistance
Project description:Male sex belongs to one of the risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcome. However, underlying mechanisms that could affect sex dependent disease outcome are yet unknown. Here, we identified the CYP19A1 gene encoding for the testosterone-to-estradiol metabolizing enzyme CYP19A1 (alias aromatase) as a host factor that contributes to worsened disease outcome in male hamsters. SARS-CoV-2 infection increases CYP19A1 transcription most prominently in the lungs of male animals, which correlates with reduced circulating testosterone and increased circulating estradiol levels. Dysregulated sex hormone levels in male golden hamsters are associated with reduced lung function compared to females. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters with letrozole, a clinically approved CYP19A1 inhibitor, supported recovery of dysregulated sex hormone levels and was associated with improved lung function in male but not female animals compared to placebo controls. Whole-lung transcriptome analysis in letrozole treated versus placebo treated control groups revealed key pathways associated with improved lung health in males. To seek translation of these findings into humans, we analyzed autopsy-derived lung samples of COVID-19 cases from three independent study sites. We found that CYP19A1 transcription and protein expression is strongly elevated in the lungs of men who died with COVID-19 as compared to females or non-COVID-19 controls. Our findings highlight the role of the lung as a yet unrecognized but critical organ involved in metabolic responses against respiratory virus infections. Furthermore, inhibition of CYP19A1 by the clinically approved drug letrozole may pose a new therapeutic strategy to reduce poor long-term COVID-19 outcome.
