237 EXPRESSION OF THE FULL-LENGTH AND ALTERNATIVELY SPLICED BOVINE LH RECEPTOR mRNAs IN GRANULOSA CELLS FROM FOLLICLES ≥ 7 mm IN DIAMETER

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
M. F. G. Nogueira ◽  
M. L. G. Pinto ◽  
C. A. Rainho ◽  
M. C. W. Avellar ◽  
C. A. Price ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to characterize the pattern of gene expression of LH receptor (LHR) transcripts from bovine antral follicles from 5 to 14 mm in diameter (theca and granulosa cells, TC and GC, respectively) in crossbreed cattle and from cultured GC. From ovaries collected in abattoir (Bos indicus � B. taurus cattle), antral follicles were dissected, and samples of TC and GC were obtained for total RNA extraction (Trizol protocol). Steroid concentrations in the follicular fluid were determined by RIA. Samples of GC cultured for 6 days (obtained from B. taurus follicles), were treated with FSH (0 (control), 1, or 10 ng) and processed for total RNA extraction. Total RNA (1 �g) was utilized in the RT reaction (SuperScript III; Invitrogen, Brasil Ltd., S�o Paulo, Brazil). The PCR conditions were 29 cycles of 95�C, 60�C, and 70�C (1 min each) for denaturation, annealing, and extension (PTC200 thermocycler; MJ Research, Biozym, Landgraaf, The Netherlands). Gene expression of LHR was measured by semiquantitative RT-PCR with specific primers to amplify the fragment from exon 9 to exon 11 (LHRBC; full-length amplicon with 1240 bp). To investigate a putative site of alternative splicing on exon 3 specific primers were utilized to amplify a fragment containing the exons 2 to 9 (LHRA). As an internal control of the PCR, GAPDH expression was used. After sequencing, four isoforms were detected from the LHRBC fragment two with deletion of exon 10 (M2 and M4) and two with deletion of part of exon 11 (M3 and M4) as well as the fragment without deletions (M1). There was no correlation (P > 0.05; Spearman correlation) between LHRBC isoform expression and steroid hormones or follicular diameter (TC). However, estradiol and progesterone concentrations (r > 0.51 and P < 0.01) and follicular diameter (r > 0.82 and P < 0.01) were correlated with expression of the four LHRBC isoforms (GC). Expression of isoforms from fragment LHRBC was observed in GC from follicles with a diameter of 7 mm. In six follicles with a diameter of 7 mm, only one (16.7%) expressed LHR in GC, whereas most of the follicles e 8 mm expressed LHR (87.5%, 21/24). No LHR isoforms were detected in GC from follicles (n = 7) d 6 mm in diameter. From LHRA fragment amplification, an alternative transcript with a deletion of 75 bp, homologous to the rat exon 3, was detected by sequencing. In cultured GC (without FSH treatment), only a weak LHR expression (in vitro control) was observed when compared with the in vivo control (TC sample). The treatment with FSH (1 or 10 ng) was effective to induce LHR expression in cultured GC, however, with a different pattern of expression (lower M1/M2 ratio) when compared to in vivo GC samples (0.8 � 0.14 vs. 3.5 � 0.66; mean � SEM, P < 0.01, unpaired t-test). It is concluded that, in GC from follicles with a diameter e 7 mm, the gene expression of the LHR was positively correlated with follicular diameter and with estradiol and progesterone concentration in the follicular fluid. Treatment with FSH was effective in inducing LHR expression in cultured GC, however, with a different pattern than in the in vivo control. Additionally, sites of alternative splicing were detected in exons 3, 10, and 11 from the bovine LHR gene. This work was supported by a Fellowship from FAPESP.

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
F. Perecin ◽  
S. C. Méo ◽  
W. Yamazaki ◽  
C. R. Ferreira ◽  
F. H. Biase ◽  
...  

Some gestational alterations associated with bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) are presumably consequences of abnormal imprinted gene expression. This work aimed to evaluate the expression patterns of imprinted genes IGF2 and IGF2R in bovine fetuses and chorioallantoic membranes derived from in vivo- and in vitro-produced embryos. Fetuses were produced by AI (in vivo group, n = 3), IVF (n = 3), parthenogenesis (n = 3), or SCNT (n = 2). Cows with positive pregnancy diagnosis after ultrasonographic examination were slaughtered between Days 33 and 36 of gestation. The reproductive tract was transported on ice to the laboratory, where fetuses and chorioallantoic fragments were collected and stored in liquid nitrogen. Total RNA extraction was performed using TRIzol, according to manufacturer's instructions, and the reverse transcription reaction was carried out with 1 µg of total RNA, 6.75 µm oligo pd(T)12–18, and 50 U of reverse transcriptase (Improm-II, Promega, Madison, WI, USA). The relative quantification of IGF2 and IGF2R transcripts was done using real-time PCR with SYBR Green dye. The average efficiency of PCR amplifications was estimated for each gene using a linear regression on the logarithm of fluorescence per cycle (Ramakers et al. 2003 Neurosci. Lett. 339, 62–66), and the expression ratios were calculated according to the method described previously by Livak and Schmittgen (2001 Methods 25, 402–408). To verify statistical differences, a pair-wise fixed reallocation randomization test (Pfaffl et al. 2002 Nucl. Acids Res. 30, e36) was used. All expression ratios were normalized by glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase expression and calibrated by the in vivo group (expression assumed as 1.00 for all genes and tissues). The analysis of relative differences on transcript levels of imprinted genes in fetuses revealed IGF2 down-regulation (P < 0.05) in the SCNT (0.19) and parthenogenetic (0.02) groups when compared to the in vivo group and IVF fetuses (2.02). In chorioallantois, IGF2 was down-regulated (P < 0.001) in parthenotes (0.001) when compared to the in vivo, IVF (3.13), and SCNT (0.98) groups. IGF2R was down-regulated (P < 0.001) in SCNT chorioallantois (0.25) when compared to the in vivo group. Low expression of IGF2 in parthenogenetic fetuses and chorioallantois confirms its imprinted status in bovine. Alterations in the relative frequency of IGF2 and IGF2R transcripts were observed in bovine SCNT-derived fetuses and chorioallantoic membranes, respectively, supporting the hypothesis that abnormalities in the expression of imprinted genes are causes for the low efficiency of SCNT procedures in this species. Such alterations suggest modifications in DNA methylation patterns at IGF2 and IGF2R imprinting centers.


2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 590-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pan Wang ◽  
Meng Qi ◽  
Perry Barboza ◽  
Mary Beth Leigh ◽  
Emilio Ungerfeld ◽  
...  

The rumen is one of the most powerful fibrolytic fermentation systems known. Gene expression analyses, such as reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), microarrays, and metatranscriptomics, are techniques that could significantly expand our understanding of this ecosystem. The ability to isolate and stabilize representative RNA samples is critical to obtaining reliable results with these procedures. In this study, we successfully isolated high-quality total RNA from the solid phase of ruminal contents by using an improved RNA extraction method. This method is based on liquid nitrogen grinding of whole ruminal solids without microbial detachment and acid guanidinium – phenol – chloroform extraction combined with column purification. Yields of total RNA were as high as 150 µg per g of fresh ruminal content. The typical large subunit/small subunit rRNA ratio ranged from 1.8 to 2.0 with an RNA integrity number (Agilent Technologies) greater than 8.5. By eliminating the detachment step, the resulting RNA was more representative of the complete ecosystem. Our improved method removed a major barrier limiting analysis of rumen microbial function from a gene expression perspective. The polyA-tailed eukaryotic mRNAs obtained have successfully been applied to next-generation sequencing, and metatranscriptomic analysis of the solid fraction of rumen contents revealed abundant sequences related to rumen fungi.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
A. A. P. Derussi ◽  
A. C. S. Castilho ◽  
R. W. A. Souza ◽  
R. Volpato ◽  
C. R. F. Guaitolini ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to compare the mRNA levels of hormone receptor for progesterone (PR), oestrogen α (ER-α), oestrogen β (ER-β), and oxytocin (OTR) in canine morulae and blastocysts. Ten healthy mature bitches were inseminated based on monitoring vaginal cytology and progesterone concentration. The first insemination was performed on Day 2 after the preovulatory LH surge (progesterone 4 ng mL–1), and the second was performed 48 h later. All females were submitted to ovariohysterectomy (OVH), and the oviduct as well the uterurs were flushed with PBS solution to obtain the embryos. The females were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 5), morulae were collected 8 days after the LH surge and Group B (n = 5), blastocysts were collected 12 days after the LH surge. The pools (n = 10) of embryos (5 embryos/pool) were stored in RNAlater® (Ambion, Life Technologies, USA) at –80°C. The samples were analysed together. The RNA later was removed used PBS calcium free and the total RNA extraction was performed using the Qiagen RNeasy micro-kit (Hildesheim, Germany). Before reverse-transcription (RT) reaction, the total RNA was treated with DNase I Amplification Grade (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA). The gene expression of target genes was assessed by real-time RT-qPCR, using SuperScript III for RT and power SYBR Green PCR Master Mix (Applied Biosystems, USA) for cDNA for PCR. The primers for target genes were designed using the software Primer Express® (Applied Biosystems, USA). The gene expression of target genes was normalized by HPRT gene and the relative abundance of mRNA was determined by the ΔΔct method corrected by amplification efficiency using Pffafl’s equation. The means of mRNA relative abundance were compared by t-test. The PR mRNA expression only in blastocysts is similar to the results obtained by Hou et al. (1997) in rat embryos. It is believed that the absence of PR in the early stages of cleavage is due to the indirect action of progesterone by growth factors produced by the maternal reproductive tract (2). Apparently, ER-β action does not occur in the embryo canine phases analysed; however, the action of ER-α seems related to the deployment signal as seen by Hou et al. (1996) in rats. Similarly to findings in the literature, OTR expression decreased in canine embryonic development. This receptor was produced by blastocysts while present in the uterus, which may represent an incidental mechanism to the embryo control of endometrial receptivity, such as also to prevent the development of endometrial luteolytic mechanism. The variation in hormone receptors gene expression in canine embryos can be influencing the transition from morula to blastocyst. In addition, a hormonal influence on these structures can occur in different ways.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
S. Wohlres-Viana ◽  
E. K. N. Arashiro ◽  
J. G. V. Grazia ◽  
L. S. A. Camargo ◽  
M. A. Machado ◽  
...  

Embryo production in vivo is highly variable among donors. The Gir breed (Bos indicus) is well known to show a low embryo production after superovulation (2.5 to 3.5 viable embryos per flush), and a high variance in superovulatory responses, which makes this breed an interesting model to study this trait. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern of LHR isoforms in Gir heifers previously characterised as good (10.3 ± 1.2 embryos/flush, N = 5) or poor (1.1 ± 0.3 embryos/flush, N = 5) responders to superovulation protocols. In both groups, an adapted ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration system (Arashiro et al. 2012 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 24, 175) was used to collect granulosa cells (GC) from 8-mm follicles growing in either a synchronized but not stimulated follicular wave (FW) or in the fourth day of superovulation (SOV), induced with 200 UI of FSHp (Pluset, Serono). The recovered follicular fluid was centrifuged and the cells were washed with NaCl 0.9% saline and kept in RNA Later (Ambion, Austin, TX, USA). Total RNA extraction was performed using the commercial RNeasy Micro Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA). The RNA samples were quantified and reverse transcribed using the commercial Superscript III kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Complementary DNA samples were amplified through real-time PCR, using a LH receptor primer – not selective for LHR isoforms (total LHR) – and 4 sets of isoform selective primers (S1, S10, S10+11, and S11). All samples were previously tested for theca cell contamination through detection of CYP17A1 gene, and those showing contamination were excluded. The β-actin gene was used as endogenous control. Analyses were performed using the REST software and the expression values are shown as mean ± s.e.m. For comparisons between good and poor responders, the first was set as 1.00. For comparisons between FW and SOV, FW was set as 1.00. In the good responder group, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in total LHR expression among GC samples from FW and SOV. However, the S10+11 isoform was down-regulated (0.4 ± 0.1; P < 0.01) after SOV. In the poor responders group, total LHR expression was down-regulated (0.2 ± 0.1; P < 0.01) after SOV, but there was no difference in the expression of isoforms (P > 0.05). Contrasting the response groups (good and poor), total LHR (15.1 ± 7.6; P < 0.001), and the isoforms S10 (5.7 ± 2.7; P < 0.01), S10+11 (1.9 ± 0.6; P < 0.01), and S11 (5.1 ± 2.5; P < 0.01) were up-regulated in FW of poor responders, but there was no difference (P > 0.05) in any LHR form during SOV. We concluded that 1) LHR expression is different between heifers characterised as good or poor responders to superovulation; 2) superovulation modulates the LHR expression and reduces the original differences observed in unstimulated cycles; 3) diminished expression of total LHR, but not in the isoforms, in poor responders heifers could suggest a reduction in the expression of full-length LHR, with possible consequences to ovulatory capability after superovulation.Financial support was provided by CNPq Project 477701 and Fapemig PPM 0067/11.


Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikkou Kawashima ◽  
Tetsuji Okazaki ◽  
Noritaka Noma ◽  
Masahide Nishibori ◽  
Yasuhisa Yamashita ◽  
...  

In this study, we collected follicular fluid, granulosa cells, and cumulus cells from antral follicles at specific time intervals following equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment of gilts. The treatment with eCG increased the production of estrogen coordinately with up-regulated proliferation of granulosa and cumulus cells. eCG also induced the expression ofLHCGRandPGRin cumulus cells and progesterone accumulation was detected in follicular fluid prior to the LH/hCG surge. Moreover, progesterone and progesterone receptor (PGR) were critical for FSH-inducedLHCGRexpression in cumulus cells in culture. The expression ofLHCGRmRNA in cumulus cells was associated with the ability of LH to induce prostaglandin production, release of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like factors, and a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin-like repeats 1 expression, promoting cumulus cell oocyte complexes (COCs) expansion and oocyte maturation. Based on the unique expression and regulation ofPGRandLHCGRin cumulus cells, we designed a novel porcine COCs culture system in which hormones were added sequentially to mimic changes observedin vivo. Specifically, COCs from small antral follicles were pre-cultured with FSH and estradiol for 10 h at which time progesterone was added for another 10 h. After 20 h, COCs were moved to fresh medium containing LH, EGF, and progesterone. The oocytes matured in this revised COC culture system exhibited greater developmental competence to blastocyst stage. From these results, we conclude that to achieve optimal COC expansion and oocyte maturation in culture the unique gene expression patterns in cumulus cells of each species need to be characterized and used to increase the effectiveness of hormone stimulation.


Plant Disease ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hae-Ryun Kwak ◽  
Hui-Seong Byun ◽  
Hong-Soo Choi ◽  
Jong-Woo Han ◽  
Chang-Seok Kim ◽  
...  

In October 2018, cucumber plants showing yellowing and chlorotic mottle symptoms were observed in a greenhouse in Chungbuk, South Korea. The observed symptoms were similar to those caused by cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), which has been detected on cucumber plants in the region since it was reported on melon in Korea in 2015 (Lee et al 2015). To identify the potential agents causing these symptoms, 28 samples from symptomatic leaves and fruit of cucumber plants were subjected to total RNA extraction using the Plant RNA Prep Kit (Biocubesystem, Korea). Reverse transcription polymerase chain (RT-PCR) was performed on total RNA using CABYV specific primers and protocols (Kwak et al. 2018). CABYV was detected in 17 of the 28 samples, while 11 symptomatic samples tested negative. In order to identify the cause of the symptoms, RT-PCR was performed using cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) and cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) specific primers (Wintermantel et al. 2019). Eight of the 28 samples were positive using the CCYV specific primers while seven samples were infected with only CCYV and one contained a mixed infection of CABYV with CCYV. None of the samples tested positive for CYSDV. The expected 373 nt amplicons of CCYV were bi-directionally sequenced, and BLASTn analysis showed that the nucleotide sequences shared 98 to 100% identity with CCYV isolates from East Asia, including NC0180174 from Japan. Two pairs of primers for amplification of the complete coat protein and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes (Wintermantel et al., 2019) were used to amplify the 753bp coat protein and 1517bp RdRp genes, respectively. Amplicons of the expected sizes were obtained from a CCYV single infection and ligated into the pGEM T- Easy vector (Promega, WI, USA). Three clones from each amplicon were sequenced and aligned using Geneious Prime and found to have identical sequences (Genbank accession nos. MW033300, MW033301). The CP and RdRp sequences demonstrated 99% nucleotide and 100% amino acid identity with the respective genes and proteins of the CCYV isolates from Japan. This study documents the first report of CCYV in Korea. Since CCYV was first detected on melon in Japan, it has been reported in many other countries including those in East Asia, the Middle East, Southern Europe, North Africa, and recently in North America. CCYV has the potential to become a serious threat to production of cucurbit crops in Korea, particularly due to the increasing prevalence of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, in greenhouse production systems. It will be important to continue monitoring for CCYV and determine potential alternate hosts in the region to manage and prevent further spread of CCYV in Korea.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
D. Aktoprakligil Aksu ◽  
C. Agca ◽  
S. Aksu ◽  
T. Akkoc ◽  
A. Tas Caputcu ◽  
...  

Microarray technology is one of the most powerful tools for gene expression profiling in animal sciences. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of vitrification on gene expression in in vitro- and in vivo-derived bovine embryos, and to identify differential mRNA expression patterns between embryos produced by in vivo v. in vitro conditions. Three pools of in vivo- and in vitro-derived blastocyst-stage embryos were used for microarray analysis. Total RNA was isolated using the PicoPure RNA Isolation Kit (Arcturus Bioscience, Mountain View, CA). Bovine ovarian tissue total RNA was used as the reference. Total RNA samples were amplified using an Ovation® Pico WTA System (NuGEN Technologies, San Carlos, CA). The bovine 16 846-member microarrays spotted with 70-mer oligonucleotides were purchased from the Bovine Genomics Laboratory, University of Missouri. Amplified cDNA samples were labeled with Alexa Fluor 647 and 546 dyes (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR), respectively. Combined, labeled samples were dried and resuspended in hybridization buffer containing 50% formamide (vol/vol), 5× SSC, and 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (wt/vol). After denaturation and cooling, cDNA was applied onto a microarray slide. Microarrays were hybridized overnight at 42°C. Following hybridization, the slides were washed with different stringency buffers and water. After drying by centrifugation, the arrays were scanned on a GenePix 4000B scanner (Axon Instruments, Union City, CA). GenePix Pro4.1 software was used for griding and analysis of spot intensities. Good-quality spots were analyzed using the GeneSpring 7.3 software (Agilent Technologies, Inc., CA, Santa Clara, CA). The data were normalized per spot and per array by Lowess normalization. When comparing two treatments, the Welch t-test with Benjamini and Hochberg multiple testing correction was performed to determine the differentially expressed genes between embryo groups. Microarray experiments were performed in 3 biological and 2 technical replicates for all embryo samples. Differentially expressed genes between all embryo groups were identified. The DAVID Functional Annotation Tool was used to analyze the genes that were differentially expressed. The DAVID Functional Annotation Tool determined the co-occurrence probability and provided gene-GO term enrichment analysis to highlight the most relevant GO terms associated with a given gene list. Differentially expressed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways are as follows: Ribosome, oxidative phosphorylation, spliceosome, and oocyte meiosis were significantly upregulated in the fresh embryos, whereas sphingolipid and purine metabolism was the upregulated in the vitrified in vitro-derived embryos. Gene expression was very similar between fresh and vitrified in vivo-derived, as opposed to in vitro-derived, embryos. This study was funded by the TUBITAK (Project no. KAMAG107G027) and startup funds to Yuksel Agca at the University of Missouri.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document