Project description:We profile miRNA in sperm obtained from adult male C57 mice that had either been exposed to an Odor (F0-Exposed) or been conditioned with the Odor (Odor+mild foot-shock) (F0-Trained)
Project description:Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) have been proposed as potential vectors of the interface between genes and environment. Here, we report that environmental conditions involving traumatic stress in early life, alter miRNA and piRNA composition in sperm of adult males in mice. Examination of small RNA content of sperm from males, that experienced early chronic stress during their first two weeks of life versus small RNA content of sperm from control males.
Project description:Cumulative stress and adverse experiences precipitate changes in overall health, disrupting homeostasis and increasing disease. Stress is a known driver of allostatic changes, allowing for cellular adaptation in the face of environmental challenges. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating allostasis and long-term changes in intra- and intercellular signaling important for health are not clear. In males, chronic stress produces lasting changes in epididymal epithelial cell (EEC) intercellular signaling and extracellular vesicle (EV) composition important for sperm maturation. Here we used this system to assess the mechanisms regulating allostasis and the role of EVs to impact downstream target cell physiology and function. We found that prior corticosterone treatment decreased EEC energy requirements and altered mitochondrial ultrastructure, with changes in the cellular set point involving the mitochondrial complex I. CUT&RUN sequencing and gene co-expression network analysis separately identified significant epigenetic and transcriptomic reprogramming important for mitochondrial function. We found this new EEC allostatic state regulated EV intercellular communication with sperm, where EVs isolated from stress EECs increased sperm mitochondrial respiration, ultimately increasing sperm motility. These data support a signaling pathway by which a new cellular allostatic setpoint can be communicated to other cells, affecting their function.
Project description:The objectives of our study were to identify microRNA (miRNA) present in bovine sperm and to evaluate the effects of fescue toxicosis on sperm miRNA expression.
Project description:The objectives of our study were to identify microRNA (miRNA) present in bovine sperm and to evaluate the effects of fescue toxicosis on sperm miRNA expression. Angus bulls were assigned to treatments of either toxic or non-toxic fescue seed diets. Semen was collected and subjected to microRNA (miRNA) isolation after 126 days. Three bull's sperm miRNA samples from each treatment group were chosen and pooled for deep sequencing. Sequencing results were used to create a custom microarray for miRNA comparison between groups. LC Sciences was used as a service provider for the sequencing and custom microarray.
Project description:Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) have been proposed as potential vectors of the interface between genes and environment. Here, we report that environmental conditions involving traumatic stress in early life, alter miRNA and piRNA composition in sperm of adult males in mice.
Project description:It has been demonstrated that males exposed to adversity prior to conception sire offspring exhibiting abnormal behaviour and neuroendocrine function. Epigenetic factors such as microRNA (miRNA) within sperm may be responsible for driving these effects. Synthetic glucocorticoids (sGC) are a class of drug that are commonly prescribed and may have implications for intergenerational transmission. Therefore, we hypothesized that caput and cauda sperm miRNA profiles will be altered following sGC exposure in guinea pigs. We used miRNA microarray to evaluate the miRNA levels of caput and cauda sperm isolated from guinea pigs exposed to control and water treated with sGC. We identified a subset of miRNAs with low levels in cauda sperm of guinea pigs exposed to sGC.
Project description:Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing the same olfactory receptor (OR) are randomlydispersed within the same olfactory epithelial zone. To date, between 4 and 12 zones havebeen defined based on OR expression by in-situ hybridization studies. However, the totalnumber of zones, their organisation, molecular identity, and their distribution across thedorsal-ventral, anterior-posterior and lateral-medial axes are still unknown. To address thesequestions we propose to perform RNA-seq on sequential cryosections along the dorsalventraland anterior-posterior axes. This will provide a spatial dimension to the quantitativedata we already have on the number of each neuron type in the entire epithelium. We aim touse this as preliminary data for a grant application to completely resolve the 3D organisationof the olfactory epithelium at a cellular level. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/
Project description:Our study revealed that miRNAs constituted the main small RNA subtype altered by DDT exposure, with a specific DDT-induced surge in sperm miRNA-10b. This miRNA, along with other members of the miRNA-10 family, plays a critical role in embryonic development and cell differentiation through the regulation of Homeobox (Hox) and other genes. Interestingly, studies examining different paternal environmental exposures including obesity and malnutrition report a upregulation of miRNA-10b and other members of the miR-10 family in sperm. It has also been reported that both sperm miRNA-10a and miRNA-10b are conserved across species including humans. These miRNAs are acquired by sperm cells during epididymal transit in mice, suggesting that alterations in this family could potentially act as a “sensor” of paternal environments.