Comparative metabolomics in Glycine max and Glycine soja under salt stress to reveal the phenotypes of their offspring

Metabolomics is developing as an important functional genomics tool for understanding plant systems' response to genetic and environmental changes. Here, we characterized the metabolic changes of cultivated soybean C08 (Glycine max L. Merr) and wild soybean W05 (Glycine soja Sieb.et Zucc.) under salt stress using MS-based metabolomics, in order to reveal the phenotypes of their eight hybrid offspring (9H0086, 9H0124, 9H0391, 9H0736, 9H0380, 9H0400, 9H0434, and 9H0590). Total small molecule extracts of soybean seedling leaves were profiled by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-Fourier transform mass spectrometry (LC-FT/MS). We found that wild soybean contained higher amounts of disaccharides, sugar alcohols, and acetylated amino acids than cultivated soybean, but with lower amounts of monosaccharides, carboxylic acids, and unsaturated fatty acids. Further investigations demonstrated that the ability of soybean to tolerate salt was mainly based on synthesis of compatible solutes, induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, cell membrane modifications, and induction of plant hormones. On the basis of metabolic phenotype, the salt-tolerance abilities of 9H0086, 9H0124, 9H0391, 9H0736, 9H0380, 9H0400, 9H0434, and 9H0590 were discriminated. Our results demonstrated that MS-based metabolomics provides a fast and powerful approach to discriminate the salt-tolerance characteristics of soybeans.

RuvBL2 is involved in histone deacetylase inhibitor PCI-24781-induced cell death in SK-N-DZ neuroblastoma cells

Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumor diagnosed during infancy. The survival rate among children with high-risk neuroblastoma is less than 40%, highlighting the urgent needs for new treatment strategies. PCI-24781 is a novel hydroxamic acid-based histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that has high efficacy and safety for cancer treatment. However, the underlying mechanisms of PCI-24781 are not clearly elucidated in neuroblastoma cells. In the present study, we demonstrated that PCI-24781 treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth at very low doses in neuroblastoma cells SK-N-DZ, not in normal cell line HS-68. However, PCI-24781 caused the accumulation of acetylated histone H3 both in SK-N-DZ and HS-68 cell line. Treatment of SK-N-DZ with PCI-24781 also induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and activated apoptosis signaling pathways via the up-regulation of DR4, p21, p53 and caspase 3. Further proteomic analysis revealed differential protein expression profiles between non-treated and PCI-24781 treated SK-N-DZ cells. Totally 42 differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF MS system. Western blotting confirmed the expression level of five candidate proteins including prohibitin, hHR23a, RuvBL2, TRAP1 and PDCD6IP. Selective knockdown of RuvBL2 rescued cells from PCI-24781-induced cell death, implying that RuvBL2 might play an important role in anti-tumor activity of PCI-24781 in SK-N-DZ cells. The present results provide a new insight into the potential mechanism of PCI-24781 in SK-N-DZ cell line.

The effect of chilling and cryoprotectants on hard coral (Echinopora spp.) oocytes during short-term low temperature preservation

Understanding chilling sensitivity and chilling injury of coral oocytes, in the presence and absence of a cryoprotectant, is important in developing cryopreservation protocols, as well as for short-term storage and transport (e.g., for species conservation). The objective of this study was to investigate the chilling sensitivity of hard coral (Echinopora spp.) oocytes and the effectiveness of methanol (as a cryoprotectant) in protecting these oocytes during short-term, low temperature preservation. Oocytes were exposed to 0.5, 1, or 2 m methanol at 5, 0, or -5 °C for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, or 32 h, and their quality determined based on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. Methanol at 0.5 m was the most effective means to reduce chilling-induced reduction in ATP concentrations. Coral oocytes can be stored at room temperature for 4 h in filtered nature seawater with no detrimental effect on oocyte quality; however, in the present study, oocyte survival was extended for 8 h by addition of methanol in low concentrations (0.5 or 1 m) at low temperatures (5 and 0 °C). These findings should enhance conservation efforts and facilitate low-temperature transport of endangered and threatened coral species.

Gorgonian coral (Junceella juncea and Junceella fragilis) oocyte chilling sensitivity in the context of adenosine triphosphate response (ATP)

Gorgonian corals are suffering continued decline in population and reproductive ability because of environmental changes. Cryopreservation can play an important role in ex situ conservation for these corals. In the present study, oocyte chilling sensitivity in the context of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) response in two gorgonian species (Junceella juncea and Junceella fragilis) and the effectiveness of cryoprotectants in protecting coral oocytes from chilling injury were studied in an attempt to develop protocols for their cryopreservation. Oocytes of two gorgonian corals were exposed to methanol (1 M, 2 M) and EG (1 M) at 5, 0 and -5 degree C for up to 216 hours, and ATP levels in oocytes were then determined. ATP levels decreased gradually with exposure time and 1M methanol was more effective in protecting oocytes from chilling injury than other cryoprotectant treatments tested. J. juncea oocytes were less sensitive to chilling than J. fragilis oocytes. This study provided useful information for development of cryopreservtion protocols for the two gorgonian coral oocytes.

Study on the mitochondrial activity and membrane potential after exposing later stage oocytes of two gorgonian corals (Junceella juncea and Junceella fragilis) to cryoprotectants

Coral reefs provide a valuable habitat for many economically valuable fish and invertebrates. However, they are in serious jeopardy, threatened by increasing over-exploitation, pollution, habitat destruction, disease and global climate change. Here, we examined the effect of cryoprotectant exposure on mitochondrial activity and membrane potential in coral oocytes in order to find suitable cryoprotectants towards their successful cryopreservation. According to the No Observed Effect Concentrations (NOECs), methanol was found to be the least toxic cryoprotectant whilst DMSO was the most toxic cryoprotectant. The results also demonstrated that there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in ATP concentrations between Junceella juncea and Junceella fragilis after exposure to all concentrations of all cryoprotectants for 30 min. Using confocal microscopy, JC-1 (5,50,6,60-tetrachloro-1,10,3,30-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide) staining indicated that the mitochondrial membrane potential of Junceella fragilis oocytes reduced after 1 M and 2 M methanol treatment and a loss of the mitochondrial distribution pattern and poor green fluorescence after 3M methanol treatment. Therefore, even oocytes that show no adverse effect of cryoprotectants on survival might suffer some more subtle impacts. The results obtained from this study will provide a basis for development of protocols to cryopreserve the oocytes of gorgonian corals.

Transcriptional profiling of human placentas from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia reveals disregulation of sialic acid acetylesterase and immune signalling pathways

The placenta plays an important role as a regulator of fetal nutrition and growth throughout development and placental factors contribute to gestational abnormalities such as preeclampsia. This study describes the genome-wide gene expression profiles of a large (n = 60) set of human placentas in order to uncover gene expression patterns associated with preeclampsia. In addition to confirming changes in expression of soluble factors associated with preeclampsia such as sFLT1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), sENG (soluble endoglin), and INHA (inhibin alpha), we also find changes in immune-associated signaling pathways, offering a potential upstream explanation for the shallow trophoblast invasion and inadequate uterine remodeling typically observed in pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Notably, we also find evidence of preeclampsia-associated placental upregulation of sialic acid acetylesterase (SIAE), a gene functionally associated with autoimmune diseases.

How pathologic staging informs the surgical management of primary cutaneous melanoma

In this brief review, the authors will summarize recent changes in the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, with a particular emphasis on the prognostic importance of mitotic rate and microsatellitosis, and address continuing controversial aspects of the surgical management of cutaneous melanoma.

Effects of cryoprotectant on the embryos of banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus); preliminary studies to establish freezing protocols

The addition of cryoprotectants is a necessary step in cryopreservation procedures because they can minimize cellular injury during cryopreservation. Toxicity of cryoprotectant depends on the type, concentration, temperature and exposure period. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of cryoprotectant to embryos of banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) in order to inform the development of a cryopreservation protocol. Three stages of embryonic development (eye-formation, heart beat and pre-hatch stage) embryos were selected and exposed to different concentration of cryoprotectants (0.25M-5M) for an equilibration period of 10, 20 or 30 min at room temperature. Hatching percentage indicated that the toxicity of tested cryoprotectants increased in the order of methanol, ethylene glycol (EG), dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), glycerol and dimethylacetamide (DMA). The No Observed Effect Concentrations (NOECs) for eye-formation stage embryos were 1M, 0.25M, 0.25M, 0.25M and 0.25M respectively after 10 min incubation whilst the NOECs for heart beat and pre-hatch stage embryos were 1M, 0.5M, 0.5M, 0.5M and 0.25M respectively. Pre-hatch stage embryos appeared to be more tolerant to cryoprotectant toxicity than eye-formation and heart beat stage embryos.

Development of cryopreservation protocols for early stage zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovarian follicles using controlled slow cooling

Cryopreservation of germplasm of aquatic species offers many benefits to the fields of aquaculture, conservation and biomedicine. Although successful fish sperm cryopreservation has been achieved with many species, there has been no report of successful cryopreservation of fish embryos and late stage oocytes which are large, chilling sensitive and have low membrane permeability. In the present study, cryopreservation of early stage zebrafish ovarian follicles was studied for the first time using controlled slow freezing. The effect of cryoprotectant, freezing medium, cooling rate, method for cryoprotectant removal, post-thaw incubation time and ovarian follicle developmental stage were investigated. Stages I and II ovarian follicles were frozen in 4M methanol and 3M DMSO in either L-15 medium or KCl buffer. Ovarian follicle viability was assessed using trypan blue, FDA+PI staining and ADP/ATP assay. The results showed that KCl buffer was more beneficial than L-15 medium, methanol was more effective than DMSO, optimum cooling rates were 2-4 degrees C/min, stepwise removal of cryoprotectant improved ovarian follicle viability significantly and stage I ovarian follicles were more sensitive to freezing. The results also showed that FDA+PI staining and ADP/ATP assay were more sensitive than TB staining. The highest follicle viabilities after post-thaw incubation for 2h obtained with FDA+PI staining were 50.7+/-4.0% although ADP/ATP ratios of the cryopreserved follicles were significantly increased indicating increased cell damage. Studies are currently being carried out on in vitro maturation of these cryopreserved ovarian follicles.

Studies on chilling sensitivity of early stage zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovarian follicles

Cryopreservation of fish gametes is of great importance in aquaculture, conservation and human genomic research. The creation of gamete cryobanks allows the storage of genetic material of targeted species for almost unlimited time periods. Cryopreservation has been successfully applied to fish sperm of many species, but there has been no success with fish embryos and oocytes. One of the obstacles to fish oocyte cryopreservation is their high chilling sensitivity and especially at subzero temperatures. Although studies on late stage oocyte cryopreservation has been carried out, there have been no reported studies on cryopreservation of early stage ovarian follicles. The aim of this study is to investigate the chilling sensitivity of early stage zebrafish ovarian follicles before developing protocols for their cryopreservation. Experiments were conducted with stage I (primary growth), stage II (cortical alveolus) and stage III (vetillogenesis) ovarian follicles, which were chilled in KCl buffer and L-15 medium for up to 144h at -1 degrees C in a low temperature bath. Ovarian follicles were also exposed to 2M methanol or 2M DMSO in L-15 medium for up to 168h at -1 and -5 degrees C, respectively. Control follicles were kept at 28 degrees C. Ovarian follicle viability was assessed using trypan blue staining. The results showed that stage I and II ovarian follicles are less sensitive to chilling than stage III follicles. These results were also confirmed following in vitro maturation of the chilled ovarian follicles. The results also showed that L-15 medium is more beneficial than KCl buffer for ovarian follicles at all stages. The presence of both methanol and DMSO reduced chilling sensitivity of ovarian follicles at all stages with methanol being the most effective. The study indicated that stage I and II follicles are less sensitive to chilling than stage III follicles, and that early stage zebrafish ovarian follicles may be better candidates for cryopreservation.

Functional genomic approaches for the study of fetal/placental development in swine with special emphasis on imprinted genes

This chapter describes the application of functional genomic approaches to the study of imprinted genes in swine. While there are varied definitions of "functional genomics", in general they focus on the application of DNA microarrays, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, and other high coverage genomic analyses, and their combination with downstream methods of gene modification such as silencing RNA (siRNA) and viral and non-viral transfection. Between the initial data acquisition and the actual genetic manipulation of the system lies bioinformatics, where massive amounts of data are analyzed to extract meaningful information. This area is in constant flux with an increased emphasis on detection of affected pathways and processes rather than generation of simple affected gene lists. We will expand on each of these points and describe how we have used these technologies for the study of imprinted genes in swine. First we will introduce the biological question to provide context for the discussion of the functional genomic approaches and the types of information they generate.

Studies on cryoprotectant toxicity to early stage zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovarian follicles

Cryoprotectants are substances characterised by their ability to reduce cryoinjury of biological materials during the course of freezing. Unfortunately cryoprotectants can be toxic for cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the toxicity of cryoprotectants to early stage ovarian follicles of zebrafish (Danion rerio) before designing protocols for their cryopreservation. Commonly used cryoprotectants methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol (PG) and ethylene glycol (EG) were studied. Experiments were conducted with stage I and II zebrafish ovarian follicles, which were incubated in 50% L-15 medium containing different concentrations of cryoprotectants (0.25-5M) for 30 min at room temperature. Stage III zebrafish ovarian follicles were also used as comparisons. Two different tests were used to assess ovarian follicle viability: trypan blue (TB) and Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) + propidium iodide (PI) staining. Both TB and FDA+PI tests indicated that cryoprotectant toxicity to ovarian follicles increased in the order of methanol, DMSO, PG and EG. FDA+PI test was shown to be more sensitive than TB staining. No Observed Effect Concentrations (NOECs) for stage I and II follicles were 2M, 1M, 0.5M, and 0.25M for methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol (PG) and ethylene glycol (EG) respectively when assessed with FDA+PI. Stage III ovarian follicles appeared to be more sensitive than stage I and II ovarian follicles.

Molecular mechanisms involved in progesterone receptor regulation of uterine function

The ovarian steroid hormone progesterone is a major regulator of uterine function. The actions of this hormone is mediated through its cognate receptor, the progesterone receptor, Pgr. Ablation of the Pgr has shown that this receptor is critical for all female reproductive functions including the ability of the uterus to support and maintain the development of the implanting mouse embryo. High density DNA microarray analysis has identified direct and indirect targets of Pgr action. One of the targets of Pgr action is a member of the Hedgehog morphogen Indian Hedgehog, Ihh. Ihh and members of the Hh signaling cascade show a coordinate expression pattern in the mouse uterus during the preimplantation period of pregnancy. The expression of Ihh and its receptor Patched-1, Ptc1, as well as, down stream targets of Ihh-Ptch1 signaling, such as the orphan nuclear receptor COUP-TF II show that this morphogen pathway mediates communication between the uterine epithelial and stromal compartments. The members of the Ihh signaling axis may function to coordinate the proliferation, vascularization and differentiation of the uterine stroma during pregnancy. This analysis demonstrates that progesterone regulates uterine function in the mouse by coordinating the signals from the uterine epithelium to stroma in the preimplantation mouse uterus.

263 USE OF PORCINE PARTHENOTES AND GENE EXPRESSION PROFILING USING MICROARRAYS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF IMPRINTED GENES

Genomic imprinting arises from differential epigenetic markings including DNA methylation and histone modifications and results in one allele being expressed in a parent-of-origin specific manner. For further insight into the porcine epigenome, gene expression profiles of parthenogenetic (PRT; two maternally derived chromosome sets) and biparental embryos (BP; one maternal and one paternal set of chromosomes) were compared using microarrays. Comparison of the expression profiles of the two tissue types permits identification of both maternally and paternally imprinted genes and thus the degree of conservation of imprinted genes between swine and other mammalian species. Diploid porcine parthenogenetic fetuses were generated using follicular oocytes (BOMED, Madison, WI, USA). Oocytes with a visible polar body were activated using a single square pulse of direct current of 50 V/mm for 100 �s and diploidized by culture in 10 �g/mL cycloheximide for 6 h to limit extrusion of the second polar body. Following culture, BP embryos obtained by natural matings, and PRT embryos, were surgically transferred to oviducts on the first day of estrus. Fetuses recovered at 28-30 days of gestation were dissected to separate viscera including brain, liver, and placenta; the visceral tissues were then flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen. Porcine fibroblast tissue was obtained from the remaining carcass by mincing, trypsinization, and plating cells in �-MEM. Total RNA was extracted from frozen tissue or cell culture using RNA Aqueous kit (Ambion, Austin, TX, USA) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Gene expression differences between BP and PRT tissues were determined using the GeneChip� Porcine Genome Array (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA) containing 23 256 transcripts from Sus scrofa and representing 42 genes known to be imprinted in human and/or mice. Triplicate arrays were utilized for each tissue type, and for PRT versus BP combination. Significant differential gene expression was identified by a linear mixed model analysis using SAS 5.0 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Storey's q-value method was used to correct for multiple testing at q d 0.05. The following genes were classified as imprinted on the basis of their expression profiles: In fibroblasts, ARHI, HTR2A, MEST, NDN, NNAT, PEG3, PLAGL1, PEG10, SGCE, SNRPN, and UBE3A; in liver, IGF2, PEG3, PLAGL1, PEG10, and SNRPN; in placenta, HTR2A, IGF2, MEST, NDN, NNAT, PEG3, PLAGL1, PEG10, and SNRPN; and in brain, none. Additionally, several genes not known to be imprinted in humans/mice were highly differentially expressed between the two tissue types. Overall, utilizing the PRT models and gene expression profiles, we have identified thirteen genes where imprinting is conserved between swine and humans/mice, and several candidate genes that represent potentially imprinted genes. Presently, our efforts are focused in the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to more carefully evaluate the behavior of these genes in normal and abnormal gestations and to test whether the candidate genes are indeed imprinted. This research was supported by USDA-CSREES grant 524383 to J. P. and B. F.