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Current Biology : CB Jun 2024Host reproduction can be manipulated by bacterial symbionts in various ways. Parthenogenesis induction is the most effective type of reproduction manipulation by...
Host reproduction can be manipulated by bacterial symbionts in various ways. Parthenogenesis induction is the most effective type of reproduction manipulation by symbionts for their transmission. Insect sex is determined by regulation of doublesex (dsx) splicing through transformer2 (tra2) and transformer (tra) interaction. Although parthenogenesis induction by symbionts has been studied since the 1970s, its underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. Here we identify a Wolbachia parthenogenesis-induction feminization factor gene (piff) that targets sex-determining genes and causes female-producing parthenogenesis in the haplodiploid parasitoid Encarsia formosa. We found that Wolbachia elimination repressed expression of female-specific dsx and enhanced expression of male-specific dsx, which led to the production of wasp haploid male offspring. Furthermore, we found that E. formosa tra is truncated and non-functional, and Wolbachia has a functional tra homolog, termed piff, with an insect origin. Wolbachia PIFF can colocalize and interact with wasp TRA2. Moreover, Wolbachia piff has coordinated expression with tra2 and dsx of E. formosa. Our results demonstrate the bacterial symbiont Wolbachia has acquired an insect gene to manipulate the host sex determination cascade and induce parthenogenesis in wasps. This study reveals insect-to-bacteria horizontal gene transfer drives the evolution of animal sex determination systems, elucidating a striking mechanism of insect-microbe symbiosis.
Topics: Animals; Wolbachia; Wasps; Symbiosis; Female; Male; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Parthenogenesis; Insect Proteins; Sex Determination Processes
PubMed: 38692276
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.035 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Nov 2023A female-biased sex ratio is considered advantageous for the cytoplasmic elements that inhabit sexually reproducing organisms. There are numerous examples of bacterial...
A female-biased sex ratio is considered advantageous for the cytoplasmic elements that inhabit sexually reproducing organisms. There are numerous examples of bacterial symbionts in the arthropod cytoplasm that bias the host sex ratio toward females through various means, including feminization and male killing. Recently, maternally inherited RNA viruses belonging to the family Partitiviridae were found to cause male killing in moths and flies, but it was unknown whether male-killing viruses were restricted to Partitiviridae or could be found in other taxa. Here, we provide compelling evidence that a maternally inherited RNA virus, Spodoptera litura male-killing virus (SlMKV), selectively kills male embryos of the tobacco caterpillar , resulting in all-female broods. SlMKV injected into uninfected can also be inherited maternally and causes male killing. SlMKV has five genomic segments encoding seven open reading frames, has no homolog of known male-killing genes, and belongs to an unclassified group of arthropod-specific viruses closely related to Tolivirales. When transinfected into larvae, both male and female recipients allow SlMKV to proliferate, but only males die at the pupal stage. The viral RNA levels in embryonic and pupal male killing suggest that the mechanism of male killing involves the constitutive expression of viral products that are specifically lethal to males, rather than the male-specific expression of viral products. Our results, together with recent findings on male-killing partiti-like viruses, suggest that diverse viruses in arthropods tend to acquire male killing independently and that such viruses may be important components of intragenomic conflict in arthropods.
Topics: Female; Male; Animals; Moths; Spodoptera; Arthropods; Larva; Viruses
PubMed: 37931114
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312124120 -
Gland Surgery Jul 2023Gender-affirming surgery (GAS), including breast feminization, is requested and performed with increasing frequency. Transgender women may seek chest feminization... (Review)
Review
Gender-affirming surgery (GAS), including breast feminization, is requested and performed with increasing frequency. Transgender women may seek chest feminization surgery to address gender dysphoria, and such procedures have been shown to increase psychosocial and sexual well-being. Despite the potential effects of hormone therapy and androgen blockade on breast development, the results of glandular growth in adult transgender women are typically disappointing and are often inadequate to achieve the patient's goals. When evaluating options for breast construction, an implant-based approach meets the needs of most patients. However, patient choice, implant complications, acquired and congenital alterations of chest anatomy and the unique challenges of feminizing a natal male chest occasionally require consideration of other options. We review the few cases of gender-affirming breast reconstruction using autologous tissue published in the literature and summarize the senior author's approach and technique. We also review two cases of autologous chest feminization by the senior author. Ultimately, while implant-based reconstruction should continue to be the default procedure and offered to the majority of patients, several factors need to be considered when determining the optimal approach to breast feminization for a given patient. In patients with congenital or acquired deformities or a variety of factors where a reasonable outcome cannot be achieved with implants, autologous reconstruction should remain an option.
PubMed: 37727344
DOI: 10.21037/gs-23-133 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023Over the past three decades, the veterinary profession has faced a cultural shift towards postspeciesism that requires a reassessment of the foundations of the existing...
Over the past three decades, the veterinary profession has faced a cultural shift towards postspeciesism that requires a reassessment of the foundations of the existing distinctions between human and non-human animals proclaimed by the speciesism paradigm, which represents institutionalized discrimination against species and recognizes only the subjectivity of humans. Based on ethnographic observations in anthropological fieldwork and using speciesism/postspeciesism distinction, we aimed to explain the main causes of small animal practitioners' work-related stress and apply humanistic knowledge to recommend ways to alleviate the negative effects of the work environment. The explanatory model of disease, illness, and sickness, the example of the concept of family, and the circumstances of the feminization of the veterinary profession are discussed to illustrate the divergence between speciesist naturalistic veterinary knowledge and the postspeciesist cultural framework and its consequences. By failing to accommodate the changing values towards animals and by failing to challenge the anthropocentric hierarchy of values, the speciesist rationale of the veterinary profession contributes to many of the problems faced by practicing veterinarians. The incorporation of a modern moral-philosophical mindset towards animals may not even be possible because veterinary science is subject to a paradigm that is irreversibly tied to institutional discrimination against species and defies reflection on veterinary science itself. However, the veterinary profession has a privileged position in establishing an alternative ontological thinking and an alternative conception of "animal life." Anthropological knowledge was applied to anticipate further intervention of social and cultural sciences in the problems of small animal practitioners. Rather than further diversifying and increasing expectations towards veterinarians by expecting them to acquire additional skills, we propose another practitioner who can support, mediate, and enhance veterinary performance - the cultural anthropologist. With their deep knowledge of cultural differences and social dynamics, they can collaborate with veterinarians to act as a liaison between cultures, paradigms, and species.
PubMed: 37601748
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1202606 -
Biology of Reproduction Oct 2022In mammals, testis development is triggered by the expression of the sex-determining Y-chromosome gene SRY to commit the Sertoli cell (SC) fate at gonadal sex...
In mammals, testis development is triggered by the expression of the sex-determining Y-chromosome gene SRY to commit the Sertoli cell (SC) fate at gonadal sex determination in the fetus. Several genes have been identified to be required to promote the testis pathway following SRY activation (i.e., SRY box 9 (SOX9)) in an embryo; however, it largely remains unknown about the genes and the mechanisms involved in stabilizing the testis pathway after birth and throughout adulthood. Herein, we report postnatal males with SC-specific deletion of Raptor demonstrated the absence of SC unique identity and adversely acquired granulosa cell-like characteristics, along with loss of tubular architecture and scattered distribution of SCs and germ cells. Subsequent genome-wide analysis by RNA sequencing revealed a profound decrease in the transcripts of testis genes (i.e., Sox9, Sox8, and anti-Mullerian hormone (Amh)) and, conversely, an increase in ovary genes (i.e., LIM/Homeobox gene 9 (Lhx9), Forkhead box L2 (Foxl2) and Follistatin (Fst)); these changes were further confirmed by immunofluorescence and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Importantly, co-immunofluorescence demonstrated that Raptor deficiency induced SCs dedifferentiation into a progenitor state; the Raptor-mutant gonads showed some ovarian somatic cell features, accompanied by enhanced female steroidogenesis and elevated estrogen levels, yet the zona pellucida 3 (ZP3)-positive terminally feminized oocytes were not observed. In vitro experiments with primary SCs suggested that Raptor is likely involved in the fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9)-induced formation of cell junctions among SCs. Our results established that Raptor is required to maintain SC identity, stabilize the male pathway, and promote testis development.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Mullerian Hormone; Estrogens; Female; Fibroblast Growth Factor 9; Follistatin; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; Male; Mammals; Mice; Raptors; SOX9 Transcription Factor; Sertoli Cells; Sex Determination Processes; Testis; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 35594452
DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac104 -
Advances in Anesthesia Dec 2021With more than 1 million people identifying as transgender in the United States alone, the likelihood of encountering a transgender patient and their family of choice in... (Review)
Review
With more than 1 million people identifying as transgender in the United States alone, the likelihood of encountering a transgender patient and their family of choice in the perioperative setting is very high. A lack of data exists to equitably inform transgender-specific issues, as well as the associated morbidity during the transgender reassignment perioperative period. Anaesthesiologists should actively acquire the knowledge and skills needed to inclusively and respectfully manage these patients and be aware of their unique physiological and psychosocial needs. The pre-operative approach includes a detailed history, focusing on the patients cross-sex hormone treatment (CSHT) regimen and associated medical conditions. An in-depth understanding of commonly used hormones such as estrogen and testosterone and their effect in the perioperative periods is essential. The physical examination should be relevant to the anatomy that is currently present while taking into consideration feminising and masculinising procedures (e.g., genioplasty, thyroid cartilage augmentation), how these interventions alter the anatomy, and potential airway complications. Laboratory results should be interpreted with care – and with expert assistance if needed - as hormone therapy might affect reference values. In addition, risk assessment tools should be used with caution since they often include sex in their scoring system but do not account for the use of CSHT. Intraoperative considerations include urethral catheter placement, drug dosing, and drug interactions that are commonly encountered in the transgender patient. Special attention should be taken in transgender females who have undergone vocal feminization, as case reports have described unexpected difficult airway management. A multimodal approach, which includes regional blocks and attention to pre-existing chronic pain conditions, should be employed as part of the post-operative pain management plan. The post-operative nausea and vomiting risk has not yet been established in this population, requiring appropriate anti-emetic prophylaxis. Despite societal advances that improve transgender health, the medical community still lacks empirical evidence to effectively mitigate the distinctive challenges confronted by this at-risk population.
Topics: Humans; Sex Reassignment Surgery; Transgender Persons
PubMed: 34715982
DOI: 10.1016/j.aan.2021.07.005 -
Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology Jul 2022Voice feminization for transgender women remains a challenge. The fundamental frequency of the voice () is one of the main parameters contributing to the perception of...
Voice feminization for transgender women remains a challenge. The fundamental frequency of the voice () is one of the main parameters contributing to the perception of gender. One of the aims of voice therapy is to help transgender women acquire a new vocal motor behavior to increase their . We hypothesized that ambulatory biofeedback could help extend the new vocal behavior to daily life. This prospective case study assessed the impact of two weeks of ambulatory vibrotactile biofeedback (VTBF) applied to one transgender woman, following two weeks of voice therapy (three 60-minute sessions). The VTBF was activated when the participant's voice was lower than 150 Hz for more than 500 ms and was accompanied by two 60-minute counseling sessions. The results showed that mean monitored in daily activities tended to increase following the two weeks of voice therapy (Δ = 8 Hz or 1 semitone) and then increased significantly immediately after the two weeks of VTBF (Δ = 13 Hz or 1.5 semitones). The increase in mean from day to day and the decrease in the activation percentage from the first to the second week of VTBF (Δ = 6%) indicated a gradual integration of the motor behavior, making it possible to achieve the targeted female frequency. The results suggest that ambulatory VTBF helped the participant to generalize the techniques acquired during the voice therapy sessions to real-life communication situations. These results are promising for therapeutic programs that integrate tools that can be used outside the clinical context. : Prospective case study.
Topics: Biofeedback, Psychology; Female; Humans; Transgender Persons; Voice; Voice Quality
PubMed: 33660586
DOI: 10.1080/14015439.2021.1881158 -
Genes Sep 2020Sex chromosomes are unique genomic regions with sex-specific or sex-biased inherent patterns and are expected to be more frequently subject to sex-specific selection....
Sex chromosomes are unique genomic regions with sex-specific or sex-biased inherent patterns and are expected to be more frequently subject to sex-specific selection. Substantial knowledge on the evolutionary patterns of sex-linked genes have been gained from the studies on the male heterogametic systems (XY male, XX female), but the understanding of the role of sex-specific selection in the evolution of female-heterogametic sex chromosomes (ZW female, ZZ male) is limited. Here we collect the W-linked genes of 27 birds, covering the three major avian clades: Neoaves (songbirds), Galloanserae (chicken), and Palaeognathae (ratites and tinamous). We find that the avian W chromosomes exhibit very conserved gene content despite their independent evolution of recombination suppression. The retained W-linked genes have higher dosage-sensitive and higher expression level than the lost genes, suggesting the role of purifying selection in their retention. Moreover, they are not enriched in ancestrally female-biased genes, and have not acquired new ovary-biased expression patterns after becoming W-linked. They are broadly expressed across female tissues, and the expression profile of the W-linked genes in females is not deviated from that of the homologous Z-linked genes. Together, our new analyses suggest that female-specific positive selection on the avian W chromosomes is limited, and the gene content of the W chromosomes is mainly shaped by purifying selection.
Topics: Animals; Avian Proteins; Chickens; Evolution, Molecular; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Genome; Genomics; Sex Chromosomes; Songbirds; Transcriptome
PubMed: 32992746
DOI: 10.3390/genes11101126 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Mar 2020The horn fly, , is a hematophagous parasite of livestock distributed throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Welfare losses on livestock due to horn fly...
The horn fly, , is a hematophagous parasite of livestock distributed throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Welfare losses on livestock due to horn fly infestation are estimated to cost between $1 billion and $2.5 billion (U.S. dollars) annually in North America and Brazil. The endosymbiotic bacterium is a maternally inherited manipulator of reproductive biology in arthropods and naturally infects laboratory colonies of horn flies from Kerrville, TX, and Alberta, Canada, but it has also been identified in wild-caught samples from Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Hungary. Reassembly of PacBio long-read and Illumina genomic DNA libraries from the Kerrville genome project allowed for a complete and circularized 1.3-Mb genome (Irr). Annotation of Irr yielded 1,249 coding genes, 34 tRNAs, 3 rRNAs, and 5 prophage regions. Comparative genomics and whole-genome Bayesian evolutionary analysis of Irr compared to published genomes suggested that Irr is most closely related to and diverged from supergroup A strains known to infect spp. Whole-genome synteny analyses between Irr and closely related genomes indicated that Irr has undergone significant genome rearrangements while maintaining high nucleotide identity. Comparative analysis of the cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) genes of Irr suggested two phylogenetically distinct CI loci and acquisition of another homolog from phylogenetically distant supergroup A strains, suggesting horizontal acquisition of these loci. The Irr genome provides a resource for future examination of the impact may have in both biocontrol and potential insecticide resistance of horn flies. Horn flies, , are obligate hematophagous parasites of cattle having significant effects on production and animal welfare. Control of horn flies mainly relies on the use of insecticides, but issues with resistance have increased interest in development of alternative means of control. is an endosymbiont bacterium known to have a range of effects on host reproduction, such as induction of cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminization, male killing, and also impacts vector transmission. These characteristics of have been exploited in biological control approaches for a range of insect pests. Here we report the assembly and annotation of the circular genome of the strain of the Kerrville, TX, horn fly (Irr). Annotation of Irr suggests its unique features, including the horizontal acquisition of additional transcriptionally active cytoplasmic incompatibility loci. This study provides the foundation for future studies of -induced biological effects for control of horn flies.
Topics: Animals; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Genes, Bacterial; Muscidae; Symbiosis; Wolbachia
PubMed: 31900308
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02589-19 -
Evolution Letters Nov 2017is a maternally inherited ubiquitous endosymbiotic bacterium of arthropods that displays a diverse repertoire of host reproductive manipulations. For the first time, we...
is a maternally inherited ubiquitous endosymbiotic bacterium of arthropods that displays a diverse repertoire of host reproductive manipulations. For the first time, we demonstrate that manipulates sex chromosome inheritance in a sexually reproducing insect. butterfly females on Tanegashima Island, Japan, are infected with the Fem strain and produce all-female offspring, while antibiotic treatment results in male offspring. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed that Fem-positive and Fem-negative females have Z0 and WZ sex chromosome sets, respectively, demonstrating the predicted absence of the W chromosome in Fem-infected lineages. Genomic quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis showed that Fem-positive females lay only Z0 eggs that carry a paternal Z, whereas females from lineages that are naturally Fem-negative lay both WZ and ZZ eggs. In contrast, antibiotic treatment of adult Fem females resulted in the production of Z0 and ZZ eggs, suggesting that this strain can disrupt the maternal inheritance of Z chromosomes. Moreover, most male offspring produced by antibiotic-treated Fem females had a ZZ karyotype, implying reduced survival of Z0 individuals in the absence of feminizing effects of . Antibiotic treatment of Fem-infected larvae induced male-specific splicing of the () gene transcript, causing an intersex phenotype. Thus, the absence of the female-determining W chromosome in Z0 individuals is functionally compensated by -mediated conversion of sex determination. We discuss how may manipulate the host chromosome inheritance and that may have acquired this coordinated dual mode of reproductive manipulation first by the evolution of female-determining function and then cytoplasmically induced disruption of sex chromosome inheritance.
PubMed: 30283652
DOI: 10.1002/evl3.28