Iloprost, a prostacyclin analogue, stimulates meiotic maturation and early embryonic development in pigs

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Su Kim ◽  
Jung-Il Chae ◽  
Bong-Seok Song ◽  
Kyu-Sun Lee ◽  
Young-Kug Choo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Early Embryonic Development ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Intracellular Camp

Oviduct fluid contains various cytokines and growth factors that enhance the embryo development during the preimplantation period. In hatched embryos, prostacyclin (PGI2) improves implantation, but its role during oocyte maturation and early embryo development remains contentious. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the effects of a PGI2 analogue (iloprost) on meiotic maturation and early embryonic development in pigs, as well on the structural integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis in blastocysts. First, meiotic maturation in pig oocytes was examined in the presence of increasing concentrations of iloprost (1, 5 and 10 μM). After IVM, a higher proportion of iloprost-treated compared with untreated oocytes was in MII (90.0% v. 65.7%, respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, protein kinase A activity increased in iloprost-treated oocytes, indicating increased intracellular cAMP concentrations. After 22 h iloprost treatment (44 h total incubation time), western blotting demonstrated increased expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, phosphorylated (p-) ERK1/2, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), p-CREB and cyclo-oxygenase-2, indicating activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and PGI2 pathways. In addition, the frequency of polyspermy decreased in iloprost-treated oocytes (19.9%) compared with control (35.8%), whereas the rate of blastocyst formation increased (P < 0.05). Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) showed that the number of nuclei containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage decreased in the iloprost-treated group compared with control (1.2% v. 3.6%, respectively). In conclusion, iloprost appears to play a direct role in porcine oocyte maturation by enhancing blastocyst structure and survival.

The requirement for protein kinase C delta (PRKCD) during preimplantation bovine embryo development

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi-En Yang ◽  
Manabu Ozawa ◽  
Kun Zhang ◽  
Sally E. Johnson ◽  
Alan D. Ealy
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Early Embryonic Development ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Kinase C

Protein kinase C (PKC) delta (PRKCD) is a member of the novel PKC subfamily that regulates gene expression in bovine trophoblast cells. Additional functions for PRKCD in early embryonic development in cattle have not been fully explored. The objectives of this study were to describe the expression profile of PRKCD mRNA in bovine embryos and to examine its biological roles during bovine embryo development. Both PRKCD mRNA and protein are present throughout early embryo development and increases in mRNA abundance are evident at morula and blastocyst stages. Phosphorylation patterns are consistent with detection of enzymatically active PRKCD in bovine embryos. Exposure to a pharmacological inhibitor (rottlerin) during early embryonic development prevented development beyond the eight- to 16-cell stage. Treatment at or after the 16-cell stage reduced blastocyst development rates, total blastomere numbers and inner cell mass-to-trophoblast cell ratio. Exposure to the inhibitor also decreased basal interferon tau (IFNT) transcript abundance and abolished fibroblast growth factor-2 induction of IFNT expression. Furthermore, trophoblast adhesion and proliferation was compromised in hatched blastocysts. These observations provide novel insights into PRKCD mRNA expression profiles in bovine embryos and provide evidence for PRKCD-dependent regulation of embryonic development, gene expression and post-hatching events.

scholarly journals Requirement of the transcription factor USF1 in bovine oocyte and early embryonic development

Reproduction ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tirtha K Datta ◽  
Sandeep K Rajput ◽  
Gabbine Wee ◽  
KyungBon Lee ◽  
Joseph K Folger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Early Embryonic Development ◽  
Bovine Oocyte ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Oocyte Competence ◽  
E Box

Upstream stimulating factor 1 (USF1) is a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor that specifically binds to E-box DNA motifs, knowncis-elements of key oocyte expressed genes essential for oocyte and early embryonic development. However, the functional and regulatory role of USF1 in bovine oocyte and embryo development is not understood. In this study, we demonstrated thatUSF1mRNA is maternal in origin and expressed in a stage specific manner during the course of oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryonic development. Immunocytochemical analysis showed detectable USF1 protein during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development with increased abundance at 8–16-cell stage of embryo development, suggesting a potential role in embryonic genome activation. Knockdown ofUSF1in germinal vesicle stage oocytes did not affect meiotic maturation or cumulus expansion, but caused significant changes in mRNA abundance for genes associated with oocyte developmental competence. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated depletion ofUSF1in presumptive zygote stage embryos demonstrated thatUSF1is required for early embryonic development to the blastocyst stage. A similar (USF2) yet unique (TWIST2) expression pattern during oocyte and early embryonic development for related E-box binding transcription factors known to cooperatively bind USF1 implies a potential link to USF1 action. This study demonstrates that USF1 is a maternally derived transcription factor required for bovine early embryonic development, which also functions in regulation ofJY1, GDF9, andFSTgenes associated with oocyte competence.

Regulation of spontaneous and induced resumption of meiosis in mouse oocytes by different intracellular pathways

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 377-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Leonardsen ◽  
A Wiersma ◽  
M Baltsen ◽  
AG Byskov ◽  
CY Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Protein Kinase A ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Dependent Signal ◽  
Kinase Pathway ◽  
Kinase A

The mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent and the cAMP-protein kinase A-dependent signal transduction pathways were studied in cultured mouse oocytes during induced and spontaneous meiotic maturation. The role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway was assessed using PD98059, which specifically inhibits mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 and 2 (that is, MEK1 and MEK2), which activates mitogen-activated protein kinase. The cAMP-dependent protein kinase was studied by treating oocytes with the protein kinase A inhibitor rp-cAMP. Inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by PD98059 (25 micromol l(-1)) selectively inhibited the stimulatory effect on meiotic maturation by FSH and meiosis-activating sterol (that is, 4,4-dimethyl-5alpha-cholest-8,14, 24-triene-3beta-ol) in the presence of 4 mmol hypoxanthine l(-1), whereas spontaneous maturation in the absence of hypoxanthine was unaffected. This finding indicates that different signal transduction mechanisms are involved in induced and spontaneous maturation. The protein kinase A inhibitor rp-cAMP induced meiotic maturation in the presence of 4 mmol hypoxanthine l(-1), an effect that was additive to the maturation-promoting effect of FSH and meiosis-activating sterol, indicating that induced maturation also uses the cAMP-protein kinase A-dependent signal transduction pathway. In conclusion, induced and spontaneous maturation of mouse oocytes appear to use different signal transduction pathways.

scholarly journals Rat-2 fibroblasts express specific adrenomedullin receptors, but not calcitonin-gene-related-peptide receptors, which mediate increased intracellular cAMP and inhibit mitogen-activated protein kinase activity

1999 ◽  
Vol 338 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hedley A. COPPOCK ◽  
Ali A. OWJI ◽  
Carol AUSTIN ◽  
Paul D. UPTON ◽  
Mary L. JACKSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Northern Blotting ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Intracellular Camp ◽  
Camp Production ◽  
Related Peptide ◽  
Mapk Activity ◽  
Calcitonin Gene ◽  
Adrenomedullin Receptor ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

Rat-2 fibroblasts demonstrate specific binding of 125I-labelled rat adrenomedullin (KD = 0.43nM; Bmax = 50fmol/mg of protein) in the absence of 125I-labelled calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) binding. Therefore Rat-2 cells were used to examine the pharmacology and signal transduction pathways of adrenomedullin receptors. We examined the effects of adrenomedullin, the CGRP receptor antagonist CGRP-(8–37) and the amylin antagonists AC187 and AC253 on receptor binding and cAMP production. AC253, AC187 and CGRP-(8–37) inhibited 125I-adrenomedullin binding, with respective IC50 values of 25±8, 129±39 and 214±56nM. Adrenomedullin dose-dependently increased intracellular cAMP (approximate EC50 = 1.0nM). CGRP-(8–37), AC253 and AC187 antagonized adrenomedullin-stimulated cAMP production at micromolar concentrations. Using kinase-substrate assays, Mono Q FPLC and ‘phospho-specific ’ Western blotting, we found that adrenomedullin alone abolished basal mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity and dose-dependently inhibited platelet-derived-growth-factor-stimulated MAPK activity. Radioimmunoassay for adrenomedullin of media from Rat-2 cells showed a linear release of adrenomedullin-like immunoreactivity of 3.1fmol/h per 2×106 cells. Gel-filtration chromatography showed that this adrenomedullin-like immunoreactivity co-eluted with synthetic rat adrenomedullin. Northern blotting with a rat adrenomedullin cDNA probe was used to confirm the presence of adrenomedullin mRNA. However, neither Northern blotting nor reverse transcriptase–PCR showed the presence of the cloned adrenomedullin receptor (L1). We conclude that the Rat-2 cell line expresses a specific adrenomedullin receptor (coupled to cAMP production and regulation of MAPK) and secretes adrenomedullin, which may participate in a regulatory control loop.

Phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade during early embryo development in the mouse

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoki Iwamori ◽  
Kunihiko Naito ◽  
Koji Sugiura ◽  
Hideyuki Kagii ◽  
Masakane Yamashita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Mapk Cascade ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Early Mouse

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is one of the most important signal transduction pathways that regulate the cell cycle in somatic cells. The present study examined the phosphorylation states of components in the MAPK cascade, Raf-1, MEK-1, and extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERKs), which are activated by mitogens, throughout early mouse embryo development and in cultured somatic cells generally. In somatic cells, Raf-1 and MEK-1 were phosphorylated at M-phase and dephosphorylated during interphase. ERKs were not phosphorylated at any stage during the cell cycle. These results were similar to previous findings for the first and second cell cycles of early mouse embryos. In contrast, after the four-cell stage, not only ERKs, but also Raf-1 and MEK-1, were not phosphorylated at any stage during the cell cycle in mouse early embryos. These results suggest that the MAPK cascade in mouse embryos is regulated by the same mechanism as in somatic cells before the two-cell stage, and that regulation is changed to an embryo-specific mechanism after the four-cell stage.

scholarly journals The casein kinase II beta subunit binds to Mos and inhibits Mos activity.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1904-1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Chen ◽  
D Li ◽  
E G Krebs ◽  
J A Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Casein Kinase Ii ◽  
Casein Kinase ◽  
Beta Subunit ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Kinase Assay ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Mapk Activation ◽  
C Terminus

Mos is a germ cell-specific serine/threonine kinase and is required for Xenopus oocyte maturation. Active Mos stimulates a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by directly phosphorylating and activating MAPK kinase (MKK). We report here that the Xenopus homolog of the beta subunit of casein kinase II (CKII beta) binds to and regulates Mos. The Mos-interacting region of CKII beta was mapped to the C terminus. Mos bound to CKII beta in somatic cells ectopically expressing Mos and CKII beta as well as in unfertilized Xenopus eggs. CKII beta inhibited Mos-mediated MAPK activation in rabbit reticulocyte lysates and repressed MKK activation by v-Mos in a coupled kinase assay. In addition, microinjection of CKII beta mRNA into Xenopus oocytes inhibited progesterone-induced meiotic maturation and MAPK activation, presumably by binding of CKII beta to Mos and thereby inhibiting MAPK activation. Moreover, this inhibitory phenotype could be rescued by another protein that binds to CKII beta, CKII alpha. The ability of ectopic CKII beta to inhibit meiotic maturation and the detection of a complex between endogenous Mos and CKII beta suggest that CKII beta may act as an inhibitor of Mos during oocyte maturation, perhaps setting a threshold beyond which Mos protein must accumulate before it can activate the MAPK pathway.

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