PURPOSE: An unexplained increase in the incidence of hypospadias has been reported, and yet to our knowledge the molecular events and their regulation leading to hypospadias remain unknown, although environmental compounds capable of endocrine activity are suspected. We screened on a global scale abnormalities in gene expression in human hypospadiac tissue compared to those in nonhypospadiac tissue. Additionally, microarray analysis of tissue from a pair of fraternal twins, including 1 with and 1 without hypospadias, served as a control for genetic variability. We hypothesized that gene expression would differ between hypospadiac vs nonhypospadiac tissue and fraternal twin data would show patterns similar to those of group data on hypospadiac and nonhypospadiac tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microarray analysis was performed on tissue from patients with and without hypospadias, and from a pair of fraternal twins, including 1 with and 1 without hypospadias. Analysis incorporated the expression of 22,000 genes. RESULTS: We found significant differences in gene expression, specifically with a group of genes, including CYR61, CTGF, ATF3 and GADD45beta, known to be responsive to estrogen or to interact with estrogen receptor. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide support for the hypothesis that endocrine active environmental compounds may contribute to the development of hypospadias. Additionally, regulation of these genes may have a role in formation of the urethra.
PURPOSE: An unexplained increase in the incidence of hypospadias has been reported, and yet to our knowledge the molecular events and their regulation leading to hypospadias remain unknown, although environmental compounds capable of endocrine activity are suspected. We screened on a global scale abnormalities in gene expression in human hypospadiac tissue compared to those in nonhypospadiac tissue. Additionally, microarray analysis of tissue from a pair of fraternal twins, including 1 with and 1 without hypospadias, served as a control for genetic variability. We hypothesized that gene expression would differ between hypospadiac vs nonhypospadiac tissue and fraternal twin data would show patterns similar to those of group data on hypospadiac and nonhypospadiac tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microarray analysis was performed on tissue from patients with and without hypospadias, and from a pair of fraternal twins, including 1 with and 1 without hypospadias. Analysis incorporated the expression of 22,000 genes. RESULTS: We found significant differences in gene expression, specifically with a group of genes, including CYR61, CTGF, ATF3 and GADD45beta, known to be responsive to estrogen or to interact with estrogen receptor. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide support for the hypothesis that endocrine active environmental compounds may contribute to the development of hypospadias. Additionally, regulation of these genes may have a role in formation of the urethra.
Authors: Cilla Söderhäll; Izabella Baranowska Körberg; Hanh T T Thai; Jia Cao; Yougen Chen; Xufeng Zhang; Zu Shulu; Loes F M van der Zanden; Iris A L M van Rooij; Louise Frisén; Nel Roeleveld; Ellen Markljung; Ingrid Kockum; Agneta Nordenskjöld Journal: Eur J Hum Genet Date: 2014-07-02 Impact factor: 4.246
Authors: Liang Qiao; Gregory E Tasian; Haiyang Zhang; Mei Cao; Max Ferretti; Gerald R Cunha; Laurence S Baskin Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2012-01-06 Impact factor: 3.756
Authors: Hanh T T Thai; Cilla Söderhäll; Kristina Lagerstedt; Mir Davood Omrani; Louise Frisén; Johanna Lundin; Ingrid Kockum; Agneta Nordenskjöld Journal: Hum Genet Date: 2008-07-27 Impact factor: 4.132