Developmental transcriptomic patterns can be altered by transgenic overexpression of Uty

Abstract The genetic material encoded on X and Y chromosomes provides the foundation by which biological sex differences are established. Epigenetic regulators expressed on these sex chromosomes, including Kdm6a (Utx), Kdm5c, and Ddx3x have far-reaching impacts on transcriptional control of phenotyp...

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Main Authors: Kylie D. Rock, Lillian M. Folts, Hannah C. Zierden, Ruth Marx-Rattner, Nicolae Adrian Leu, Bridget M. Nugent, Tracy L. Bale
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-11-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47977-x
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author Kylie D. Rock
Lillian M. Folts
Hannah C. Zierden
Ruth Marx-Rattner
Nicolae Adrian Leu
Bridget M. Nugent
Tracy L. Bale
author_facet Kylie D. Rock
Lillian M. Folts
Hannah C. Zierden
Ruth Marx-Rattner
Nicolae Adrian Leu
Bridget M. Nugent
Tracy L. Bale
author_sort Kylie D. Rock
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The genetic material encoded on X and Y chromosomes provides the foundation by which biological sex differences are established. Epigenetic regulators expressed on these sex chromosomes, including Kdm6a (Utx), Kdm5c, and Ddx3x have far-reaching impacts on transcriptional control of phenotypic sex differences. Although the functionality of UTY (Kdm6c, the Y-linked homologue of UTX), has been supported by more recent studies, its role in developmental sex differences is not understood. Here we test the hypothesis that UTY is an important transcriptional regulator during development that could contribute to sex-specific phenotypes and disease risks across the lifespan. We generated a random insertion Uty transgenic mouse (Uty-Tg) to overexpress Uty. By comparing transcriptomic profiles in developmental tissues, placenta and hypothalamus, we assessed potential UTY functional activity, comparing Uty-expressing female mice (XX + Uty) with wild-type male (XY) and female (XX) mice. To determine if Uty expression altered physiological or behavioral outcomes, adult mice were phenotypically examined. Uty expression masculinized female gene expression patterns in both the placenta and hypothalamus. Gene ontology (GO) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) consistently identified pathways including immune and synaptic signaling as biological processes associated with UTY. Interestingly, adult females expressing Uty gained less weight and had a greater glucose tolerance compared to wild-type male and female mice when provided a high-fat diet. Utilizing a Uty-overexpressing transgenic mouse, our results provide novel evidence as to a functional transcriptional role for UTY in developing tissues, and a foundation to build on its prospective capacity to influence sex-specific developmental and health outcomes.
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spelling doaj.art-63a5818c04144b3ab6baa3941d3669292023-12-03T12:17:53ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-11-0113111410.1038/s41598-023-47977-xDevelopmental transcriptomic patterns can be altered by transgenic overexpression of UtyKylie D. Rock0Lillian M. Folts1Hannah C. Zierden2Ruth Marx-Rattner3Nicolae Adrian Leu4Bridget M. Nugent5Tracy L. Bale6Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of MedicineCenter for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of MedicineCenter for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of MedicineCenter for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of MedicineDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaCenter for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of MedicineCenter for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of MedicineAbstract The genetic material encoded on X and Y chromosomes provides the foundation by which biological sex differences are established. Epigenetic regulators expressed on these sex chromosomes, including Kdm6a (Utx), Kdm5c, and Ddx3x have far-reaching impacts on transcriptional control of phenotypic sex differences. Although the functionality of UTY (Kdm6c, the Y-linked homologue of UTX), has been supported by more recent studies, its role in developmental sex differences is not understood. Here we test the hypothesis that UTY is an important transcriptional regulator during development that could contribute to sex-specific phenotypes and disease risks across the lifespan. We generated a random insertion Uty transgenic mouse (Uty-Tg) to overexpress Uty. By comparing transcriptomic profiles in developmental tissues, placenta and hypothalamus, we assessed potential UTY functional activity, comparing Uty-expressing female mice (XX + Uty) with wild-type male (XY) and female (XX) mice. To determine if Uty expression altered physiological or behavioral outcomes, adult mice were phenotypically examined. Uty expression masculinized female gene expression patterns in both the placenta and hypothalamus. Gene ontology (GO) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) consistently identified pathways including immune and synaptic signaling as biological processes associated with UTY. Interestingly, adult females expressing Uty gained less weight and had a greater glucose tolerance compared to wild-type male and female mice when provided a high-fat diet. Utilizing a Uty-overexpressing transgenic mouse, our results provide novel evidence as to a functional transcriptional role for UTY in developing tissues, and a foundation to build on its prospective capacity to influence sex-specific developmental and health outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47977-x
spellingShingle Kylie D. Rock
Lillian M. Folts
Hannah C. Zierden
Ruth Marx-Rattner
Nicolae Adrian Leu
Bridget M. Nugent
Tracy L. Bale
Developmental transcriptomic patterns can be altered by transgenic overexpression of Uty
Scientific Reports
title Developmental transcriptomic patterns can be altered by transgenic overexpression of Uty
title_full Developmental transcriptomic patterns can be altered by transgenic overexpression of Uty
title_fullStr Developmental transcriptomic patterns can be altered by transgenic overexpression of Uty
title_full_unstemmed Developmental transcriptomic patterns can be altered by transgenic overexpression of Uty
title_short Developmental transcriptomic patterns can be altered by transgenic overexpression of Uty
title_sort developmental transcriptomic patterns can be altered by transgenic overexpression of uty
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47977-x
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