Temporal patterns of gene expression of G1-S cyclins and cdks during the first and second mitotic cell cycles in mouse embryos

Effect of Moderate Static Magnetic Fields on Mice Oocyte Vitrification: Calcium-Related Genes Expression

The ability to cryopreserve oocytes without ultrastructural injury has been a concern in the development and use of methods to preserve female reproduction. The stability of the cell membrane must be preserved to reduce the damage caused by ice crystals during vitrification. One approach that has been explored is the use of static magnetic fields (SMFs), which are believed to influence cell membrane stability. In this study, the in vitro effects of SMF that range between 20-80 mT on the vitrification of mice germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were studied. The viability and mitochondrial (Mt) membrane potential of both vitrified and nonvitrified oocytes were assessed using Trypan blue and JC1 staining. The high in vitro maturation (IVM) rate and high Mt membrane potential in metaphase II (MII) oocytes were taken into account to determine the optimal magnetic field intensity, that is, 20 mT. None of the SMF conditions resulted in intact spindles in MII oocytes. The study also explored the expression of store-operated calcium entry (Stim1, Orai1, and Ip3r) and meiosis resumption (Ccnb, Cdk) genes in GV and MII oocytes of both vitrified and control groups. The results show that the expressions of Orai1 and Ccnb genes in Vit-MII-SMF oocytes were considerably increased. However, no significant difference in Stim1 expression was observed between the groups. The Vit-MII-SMF group exhibited a significantly higher Ccnb expression compared to other groups. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed to evaluate the 2 pronuclear (2PN) rates. The findings demonstrated that using 20 mT SMF improved 2PN rates compared to the nonvitrified groups. This study provides a deeper understanding of the effects of moderate SMF and vitrification on the expression of calcium channel genes in GV and MII oocytes. The results suggest that applying a 20 mT SMF can help prevent cryoinjury and enhance the characteristics of vitrified-warmed oocytes.

A program of successive gene expression in mouse one-cell embryos

At the moment of union in fertilization, sperm and oocyte are transcriptionally silent. The ensuing onset of embryonic transcription (embryonic genome activation [EGA]) is critical for development, yet its timing and profile remain elusive in any vertebrate species. We here dissect transcription during EGA by high-resolution single-cell RNA sequencing of precisely synchronized mouse one-cell embryos. This reveals a program of embryonic gene expression (immediate EGA [iEGA]) initiating within 4 h of fertilization. Expression during iEGA produces canonically spliced transcripts, occurs substantially from the maternal genome, and is mostly downregulated at the two-cell stage. Transcribed genes predict regulation by transcription factors (TFs) associated with cancer, including c-Myc. Blocking c-Myc or other predicted regulatory TF activities disrupts iEGA and induces acute developmental arrest. These findings illuminate intracellular mechanisms that regulate the onset of mammalian development and hold promise for the study of cancer.

Repro-protective role of royal jelly in phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia in male mice: Histopathological, embryological, and biochemical evidence

To estimate the repro-protective effect of royal jelly (RJ) on phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced anemia's detrimental effects, 24 mature mice were divided into control group (0.10 mL normal saline; intra-peritoneally), RJ group (100 mg/kg/day; orally), experimental anemia (EA) group that received only PHZ (6 mg/100 g/48 h; intra-peritoneally), and RJ + EA (according to the previous prescription) group. After 35 days, testicular histoarchitecture, RNA damage in germinal cells, sperm characteristics, testicular total anti-oxidant capacity and malondialdehyde as well as serum testosterone levels, pre-implantation embryo development and cyclin D1 and c-myc mRNA levels at two-cell, morula and blastocyst stages were analyzed. Spermatogenesis indices were ameliorated following RJ co-administration. Moreover, RJ co-treatment reduced germinal cells RNA damage, improved sperm characteristics, boosted pre-implantation embryo development and restored androgenesis, and oxidant/anti-oxidant status. Co-administration of RJ also decreased mRNA levels of cyclin D1 and up-regulated those of c-myc in two-cell embryos, morulas and blastocysts. The findings suggest that RJ can play a repro-protective role in PHZ-induced anemia in mice through anti-oxidant defense system reinforcement and androgenesis restoration as well as cyclin D1 and c-myc expressions regulation.

Cyclin D1 gene expression is essential for cell cycle progression from the maternal-to-zygotic transition during blastoderm development in Japanese quail

Embryogenesis proceeds by a highly regulated series of events. In animals, maternal factors that accumulate in the egg cytoplasm control cell cycle progression at the initial stage of cleavage. However, cell cycle regulation is switched to a system governed by the activated nuclear genome at a specific stage of development, referred to as maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT). Detailed molecular analyses have been performed on maternal factors and activated zygotic genes in MZT in mammals, fishes and chicken; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear in quail. In the present study, we demonstrated that MZT occurred at blastoderm stage V in the Japanese quail using novel gene targeting technology in which the CRISPR/Cas9 and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) systems were combined. At blastoderm stage V, we found that maternal retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) protein expression was down-regulated, whereas the gene expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1) was initiated. When a microinjection of sgRNA containing CCND1-targeted sequencing and Cas9 mRNA was administered at the pronuclear stage, blastoderm development stopped at stage V and the down-regulation of RB1 did not occur. This result indicates the most notable difference from mammals in which CCND-knockout embryos are capable of developing beyond MZT. We also showed that CCND1 induced the phosphorylation of the serine/threonine residues of the RB1 protein, which resulted in the degradation of this protein. These results suggest that CCND1 is one of the key factors for RB1 protein degradation at MZT, and the elimination of RB1 may contribute to cell cycle progression after MZT during blastoderm development in the Japanese quail. Our novel technology, which combined the CRISPR/Cas9 system and ICSI, has the potential to become a powerful tool for avian-targeted mutagenesis.

Meiosis Resumption of Immature Human Oocytes following Treatment with Calcium Ionophore In Vitro

Objective:

In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes is used to induce meiosis progression in immature retrieved oocytes. Calcium (Ca2+) has a central role in oocyte physiology. Passage through meiosis phase to another phase is controlled by increasing intracellular Ca2+. Therefore, the current research was conducted to evaluate the role of calcium ionophore (CI) on human oocyte IVM.

Materials and Methods:

In this clinical trial study, immature human oocytes were obtained from 216 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. After ovarian stimulation, germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes were collected and categorized into two groups: with and without 10 µM CI treatment. Next, oocyte nuclear maturation was assessed after 24–28 hours of culture. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess the transcript profile of several oocyte maturation-related genes (MAPK3, CCNB1, CDK1, and cyclin D1 [CCND1]) and apoptotic-related genes (BCL-2, BAX, and Caspase-3). Oocyte glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using Cell Tracker Blue and 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) fluorescent dye staining. Oocyte spindle configuration and chromosome alignment were analysed by immunocytochemistry.

Results:

The metaphase II (MII) oocyte rate was higher in CI‐treated oocytes (73.53%) compared to the control (67.43%) group, but this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.13). The mRNA expression profile of oocyte maturation-related genes (MAPK3, CCNB1, CDK1, and CCND1) (P<0.05) and the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 gene was remarkably up-regulated after treatment with CI (P=0.001). The pro-apoptotic BAX and Caspase-3 relative expression levels did not change significantly. The CI‐treated oocyte cytoplasm had significantly higher GSH and lower ROS (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in meiotic spindle assembly and chromosome alignment between CI treatment and the control group oocytes.

Conclusion:

The finding of the current study supports the role of CI in meiosis resumption of human oocytes. (Registration Number: IRCT20140707018381N4)

Coping with DNA Double-Strand Breaks via ATM Signaling Pathway in Bovine Oocytes

As a common injury almost all cells face, DNA damage in oocytes—especially double-strand breaks (DSBs), which occur naturally during the first meiosis phase (meiosis I) due to synaptic complex separation—affects the fertilization ability of oocytes, instead of causing cancer (as in somatic cells). The mechanism of oocytes to effectively repair DSB damage has not yet been clearly studied, especially considering medically induced DSBs superimposed on naturally occurring DSBs in meiosis I. It was found that maturation rates decreased or increased, respectively corresponding with overexpression or interference of p21 in bovine oocytes. At the same time, the maturation rate of bovine oocytes decreased with a gradual increase in Zeocin dose, and the p21 expression in those immature oocytes changed significantly with the gradual increase in Zeocin dose (same as increased DSB intensity). Same as p21, the variation trend of ATM expression was consistent with the gradual increase in Zeocin dose. Furthermore, the oocytes demonstrated tolerance to DSBs during meiosis I, while the maturation rates decreased when the damage exceeded a certain threshold; according to which, it may be that ATM regulates the p53–p21 pathway to affect the completion of meiosis. In addition, nonhomologous recombination and cumulus cells are potentially involved in the process by which oocytes respond to DSB damage.

Royal jelly protects male rats from heat stress-induced reproductive failure

Royal jelly (RJ) as an antioxidant has been shown to have attenuated oxidative stress damages in reproductive organs. The objective was carried out the effects of RJ on sperm characteristics, sperm malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcome in heat stress (HS) exposed male rats. Forty-eight male rats were randomly divided into eight groups; group 1 received normal saline, group 2 received RJ (100 mg kg^-1  day^-1 ; PO), groups 3, 4 and 5 were heat-stressed (43, 39 and 37°C for 20 min per day respectively) and groups 6, 7 and 8 were heat-stressed along with RJ (43, 39 and 37°C for 20 min per day, respectively, plus RJ at a dose of 100 mg kg^-1  day^-1 ; PO). The HS was induced through immersion of experimental rat scrotums in a water bath. After 48 days, the HS induced remarkable diminish in sperm motility, viability and fertilising potential along with reduced blastulation rate and enhanced sperm chromatin abnormality, MDA levels and DNA damage. Nevertheless, RJ co-administration improved sperm characteristics and early embryo development as well as sperm lipid peroxidation level. Our data suggest that RJ can effectively ameliorate the experimental HS-induced infertility in rats through MDA concentration restoration and sperm characteristics and pre-implantation embryo development improvement.

Disruption of the Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Gene Results in No Increase in Trabecular Bone Mass Due to Skeletal Loading in Association with Impaired Cell Cycle Regulation Through p21 Expression in the Bone Marrow Cells of Mice

Approximately 45% of people of East Asian descent have the inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) phenotype. The enzyme defect of ALDH2 has been found to adversely influence the risk of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of skeletal loading on trabecular bone structure and dynamics in Aldh2-disrupted mice in the absence of alcohol consumption. Four-week-old male Aldh2^-/- (KO) and Aldh2^+/+ (WT) mice were divided into a ground control (GC) group and a climbing exercise (CE) group in each genotype. The trabecular bone mineral density of the distal femur measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography in the wild-type CE (WTCE) group was significantly higher than that in the wild-type GC (WTGC) group; however, there was no significant difference between the knockout CE (KOCE) and knockout GC (KOGC) groups. Bone histomorphometry revealed that osteogenic parameters were significantly increased in the WTCE group compared with the WTGC group, but not increased in the KOCE group compared with the KOGC group. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry revealed that mRNA and protein expression levels of p21 were significantly decreased in the WTCE group compared with those in the WTGC group, while these differences were not observed between the KOGC and KOCE groups. This study provides the first in vivo evidence that p21 expression in the bone marrow is not decreased after skeletal loading and osteoblast differentiation is impaired in the absence of Aldh2 gene.

Culture time of vitrified/warmed zygotes before microinjection affects the production efficiency of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knock-in mice

Robust reproductive engineering techniques are required for the efficient and rapid production of genetically modified mice. We have reported the efficient production of genome-edited mice using reproductive engineering techniques, such as ultra-superovulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and vitrification/warming of zygotes. We usually use vitrified/warmed fertilized oocytes created by IVF for microinjection because of work efficiency and flexible scheduling. Here, we investigated whether the culture time of zygotes before microinjection influences the efficiency of producing knock-in mice. Knock-in mice were generated using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) or PITCh (Precise Integration into Target Chromosome) system, a method of integrating a donor vector assisted by microhomology-mediated end-joining. The cryopreserved fertilized oocytes were warmed, cultured for several hours and microinjected at different timings. Microinjection was performed with Cas9 protein, guide RNA(s), and an ssODN or PITCh donor plasmid for the ssODN knock-in and the PITCh knock-in, respectively. Different production efficiencies of knock-in mice were observed by changing the timing of microinjection. Our study provides useful information for the CRISPR-Cas9-based generation of knock-in mice.

Summary: We report variable production efficiencies of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knock-in mice depending on a series of microinjection timings using vitrified, warmed, and cultured zygotes created via ultra-superovulation and in vitro fertilization.

Generation of a Retinoblastoma (Rb)1-inducible dominant-negative (DN) mouse model

Retinoblastoma 1 (Rb1) is an essential gene regulating cellular proliferation, differentiation, and homeostasis. To exert these functions, Rb1 is recruited and physically interacts with a growing variety of signaling pathways. While Rb1 does not appear to be ubiquitously expressed, its expression has been confirmed in a variety of hematopoietic and neuronal-derived cells, including the inner ear hair cells (HCs). Studies in transgenic mice demonstrate that complete germline or conditional Rb1 deletion leads to abnormal cell proliferation, followed by massive apoptosis; making it difficult to fully address Rb1's biochemical activities. To overcome these limitations, we developed a tetracycline-inducible TetO-CB-myc6-Rb1 (CBRb) mouse model to achieve transient and inducible dominant-negative (DN) inhibition of the endogenous RB1 protein. Our strategy involved fusing the Rb1 gene to the lysosomal protease pre-procathepsin B (CB), thus allowing for further routing of the DN-CBRb fusion protein and its interacting complexes for proteolytic degradation. Moreover, reversibility of the system is achieved upon suppression of doxycycline (Dox) administration. Preliminary characterization of DN-CBRb mice bred to a ubiquitous rtTA mouse line demonstrated a significant inhibition of the endogenous RB1 protein in the inner ear and in a number of other organs where RB1 is expressed. Examination of the postnatal (P) DN-CBRb mice inner ear at P10 and P28 showed the presence of supernumerary inner HCs (IHCs) in the lower turns of the cochleae, which corresponds to the described expression domain of the endogenous Rb1 gene. Selective and reversible suppression of gene expression is both an experimental tool for defining function and a potential means to medical therapy. Given the limitations associated with Rb1-null mice lethality, this model provides a valuable resource for understanding RB1 activity, relative contribution to HC regeneration and its potential therapeutic application.

Expression and cellular distribution of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) and connexin 43 (Cx43) in porcine oocytes before and after in vitro maturation

It is recognised that connexin 43 (Cx43) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) are involved in the cumulus cell-oocyte communication via gap junctions and the control of cell cycle progress. However, little is known about their mRNA expression pattern and encoded proteins distribution in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from 31 puberal crossbred Landrace gilts and analysed for their Cdk4 and Cx43 mRNA expression using RQ-PCR and for the respective protein expression by confocal microscopic observations. An increased Cdk4 and Cx43 mRNA expression was found in oocytes after IVM (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Confocal microscopic observations revealed a significant increase of Cdk4 protein expression in the cytoplasm of oocytes during the maturation process. The localisation of Cx43 changed from zona pellucida before to cytoplasm of oocytes after IVM. It is supposed that the increased expression of Cdk4 and Cx43 mRNA in oocytes after IVM is linked with the accumulation of a large amount of templates during the process of oocyte maturation. The translocation especially of Cx43 from the zona pellucida into the cytoplasm may be associated with a decrease in gap junction activity in fully grown porcine oocytes. Both Cdk4 and Cx43 can be used as 'checkpoints' of oocyte maturation.

Zygotic G2/M cell cycle arrest induced by ATM/Chk1 activation and DNA repair in mouse embryos fertilized with hydrogen peroxide-treated epididymal mouse sperm

Human sperm cryopreservation for assisted reproduction is compromised by ROS-induced sperm cryodamage. Our previous model study in which mouse sperm were treated with H₂O₂ to simulate sperm DNA-damage caused by cryopreservation-induced ROS have discovered that mouse embryos fertilized with treated sperm showed a delay in cleavage that might be associated with cell cycle arrest. The DNA-damage checkpoint pathway underlying the delay remained elusive. Moreover, our previous study have also indicated that γH2AX, the DNA-damage repair marker, was functional in mouse embryos similarly fertilized, but the completeness and correctness are unknown and warrant more studies because insufficiency of completeness and correctness of DNA repair would otherwise trigger apoptosis. Based on the aforementioned model, we used embryo culture, inverted microscope, BrdU incorporation and immunofluorescence to explore the cell cycle phase that arrest occurred and the underlying DNA-damage checkpoint pathway in mouse zygotes fertilized with H₂O₂-treated sperm. We also adopted Tunel to investigate the apoptosis of mouse embryos similarly fertilized at different developmental stages to testify the completeness and correctness of sperm-derived DNA-damage repair. We found G2/M cell cycle arrest in zygotes fertilized with H₂O₂-treated sperm. ATM (pSer-1981) and Chk1 (pSer-345) activations, rather than ATR (pSer-428) and Chk2 (pThr-68), were detected in zygotes of the treated group. The apoptosis of embryos of different developmental stages of the treated group weren't different from those of the untreated group. In conclusions, ATM (pSer-1981)-Chk1 (pSer-345) cascade might have mediated G2/M cell cycle arrest and allowed time to facilitate sperm-derived DNA-damage repair in mouse zygotes fertilized with oxygen-stressed sperm, and the DNA-damage repair might be effective.

The mechanism of oocyte activation influences the cell cycle-related genes expression during bovine preimplantation development

The first cleavage divisions and preimplantation embryonic development are supported by mRNA and proteins synthesized and stored during oogenesis. Thus, mRNA molecules of maternal origin decrease and embryonic development becomes gradually dependent on expression of genetic information derived from the embryonic genome. However, it is still unclear what the role of the sperm cell is during this phase and whether the absence of the sperm cell during the artificial oocyte activation affects subsequent embryonic development. The objective of this study was to determine, in bovine embryos, changes in cell cycle-associated transcript levels (cyclin A, cyclin B, cyclin E, CDC2, CDK2, and CDK4) after oocyte activation in the presence or absence of the sperm cell. To evaluate that, in vitro-produced (IVP) and parthenogenetically activated (PA) embryos (2-4 cells (2-4C), 8-16 cells (8-16C) and blastocysts) were evaluated by real-time PCR. There was no difference in cleavage and blastocyst rates between IVP and PA groups. Transcript level was higher in oocytes than in IVP and PA embryos. Cleaved PA embryos showed higher expression of cyclin A, cyclin B, cyclin E, and CDK2 and lower expression of CDC2 when compared with that from the IVP group. At the time of activation, all transcripts were expressed less in PA than in IVP embryos, whereas at the blastocyst stage, almost all genes were expressed at a higher level in the PA group. These results suggest that in both groups there is an initial consumption of these transcripts in the early stages of embryonic development. Furthermore, 8-16C embryos seem to synthesize more cell cycle-related genes than 2-4C embryos. However, in PA embryos, activation of the cell cycle genes seems to occur after the 8- to 16-cell stage, suggesting a failure in the activation process.

Sperm-borne microRNA-34c is required for the first cleavage division in mouse

In mammals, the sperm deliver mRNA of unknown function into the oocytes during fertilization. The role of sperm microRNAs (miRNAs) in preimplantation development is unknown. miRNA profiling identified six miRNAs expressed in the sperm and the zygotes but not in the oocytes or preimplantation embryos. Sperm contained both the precursor and the mature form of one of these miRNAs, miR-34c. The absence of an increased level of miR-34c in zygotes derived from α-amanitin-treated oocytes and in parthenogenetic oocytes supported a sperm origin of zygotic miR-34c. Injection of miR-34c inhibitor into zygotes inhibited DNA synthesis and significantly suppressed first cleavage division. A 3' UTR luciferase assay and Western blotting demonstrated that miR-34c regulates B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression in the zygotes. Coinjection of anti-Bcl-2 antibody in zygotes partially reversed but injection of Bcl-2 protein mimicked the effect of miR-34c inhibition. Oocyte activation is essential for the miR-34c action in zygotes, as demonstrated by a decrease in 3'UTR luciferase reporter activity and Bcl-2 expression after injection of precursor miR-34c into parthenogenetic oocytes. Our findings provide evidence that sperm-borne miR-34c is important for the first cell division via modulation of Bcl-2 expression.

Reduced bone formation in alcohol-induced osteopenia is associated with elevated p21 expression in bone marrow cells in aldehyde dehydrogenase 2-disrupted mice

INTRODUCTION

High consumption of alcohol is one of the risk factors for osteoporosis. Approximately 45% of Chinese and Japanese individuals have the inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Aldh2) phenotype. The absence of the ALDH2*2 allele is found to adversely influence the risk of osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to clarify the effects of alcohol consumption on osteoblast differentiation in bone marrow and trabecular bone formation in Aldh2-disrupted mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven-week-old male Aldh2 knockout mice (Aldh2(-/-)) and wild-type (Aldh2(+/+)) mice were fed with water (groups Aldh2(-/-)/Wa and Aldh2(+/+)/Wa) or with 5% ethanol (groups Aldh2(-/-)/Al and Aldh2(+/+)/Al) for 4 weeks. At the age of 12 weeks, bone histomorphometry was performed at the secondary spongiosa of the tibias. Bone marrow cells from the bilateral femurs and tibias were used for mRNA expression analysis.

RESULTS

Histomorphometrical study revealed that trabecular bone was significantly reduced in the Aldh2(-/-)/Al group compared with that in the Aldh2(-/-)/Wa and Aldh2(+/+)/Wa groups. Bone formation rate was significantly decreased in Aldh2(-/-)/Al compared with the other three groups. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed a significant decrease in type I collagen, osterix, osteopontin, and osteocalcin mRNA expressions in Aldh2(-/-)/Al compared with Aldh2(-/-)/Wa. In bone marrow cell cultures, mineralized nodule formation in Aldh2(-/-)/Al was significantly decreased compared with that in Aldh2(+/+)/Wa and Aldh2(-/-)/Wa, while PAK18, a p21-activated kinase inhibitor, recovered the decreased mineralized nodule formation in Aldh2(-/-)/Al.

CONCLUSION

Alcohol consumption suppressed the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts and then reduced trabecular bone formation and bone volume in association with the elevated p21 expression in bone marrow cells, especially in aldehyde dehydrogenase 2-disrupted mice.

Preimplantation-embryo-specific cell-cycle regulation is attributable to a low expression of retinoblastoma protein rather than its phosphorylation

Mammalian preimplantation embryos enter the S phase immediately after the end of the M phase; their cell cycle lacks a substantial G1 phase. Previously, we suggested that the absence of the G1 phase was attributable to a loss of retinoblastoma protein (RB) function, which is required for suppression of S phase entrance and that this loss of RB function in turn was attributable to the low RB expression level during preimplantation development in mouse embryos. The present study aimed to examine whether or not RB inhibition by CDK4/6-cyclin D-dependent phosphorylation is involved in the loss of RB function in preimplantation mouse embryos by the expression of p16(INK4a), a potent endogenous inhibitor of CDK4/6-cyclin D. First, the decrease in RB expression between the four-cell and morula stages was confirmed in in vivo-derived mouse embryos. We then examined the efficiency of the p16(INK4a) expression vector in inhibiting RB phosphorylation and cell cycle progression using NIH-3T3 cells and obtained gradual RB dephosphorylation and a significantly lower proliferation rate in p16(INK4a)-transfected cells than in control cells. This indicated the successful p16(INK4a) effects on cell-cycle progression by the vector used. On the other hand, the development rate of mouse embryos injected with the p16(INK4a) expression vector was the same as that of the control embryos, although p16(INK4a) expression was detected at mRNA and protein levels in the former group but not in the control group. These results suggest that RB phosphorylation is not involved in RB dysfunction or in the lack of a G1 phase in mouse embryos and that the decrease in RB expression is important for preimplantation-embryo-specific cell-cycle regulation. Moreover, the present study indicates the similarity between preimplantation embryos and cancer cells, which p16(INK4a) expression does not arrest at the G1 phase.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Is Expressed in Mouse Developing Testis and Regulates Somatic Cell Proliferation

Testicular development occurs prenatally in mammals. The developmental underlying mechanism is only partially understood. The aim of the present investigation was to study the expression of the gene coding for insulin-like growth factor 1 ( Igf-1) and Igf-1 type 1 receptor ( Igf-1r) and their respective proteins in mouse Sertoli and Leydig cells at gestation day 12 (E12)–E18. Moreover, we sought to determine the effect of IGF-1 on the proliferation of both cell types and to establish the signal transduction mechanism involved in the IGF-1 pathway. Transcripts for the Igf-1 and Igf-1r genes were found in Sertoli and Leydig cells from E12–E18. Highest IGF-1 and IGF-Ir protein expression levels were found in both cell types at E18. Exogenous IGF-1 administration increased Sertoli and Leydig cell proliferation at E14–E18 in vitro. Inhibition of the pathway mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MEK) 1/2 with UO126 diminished the proliferation of the Sertoli and Leydig cells in vitro. We propose that IGF-1 and IGF-1r regulate Sertoli and Leydig cell proliferation through the MEK/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 signal transduction pathway, leading to development and growth of the mouse embryonic testis.

Increased messenger ribonucleic acid expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 in cleavage-stage human embryos exhibiting developmental arrest

OBJECTIVE

To quantify p27 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in human arrested and normally developing embryos and nonfertilized oocytes to determine whether the p27 protein abundance, reported in cleavage-stage embryos exhibiting developmental arrest, is regulated at the mRNA expression level.

DESIGN

Real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the expression of p27 in three samples: arrested embryos (group A, n = 29), normally developing embryos (group D, n = 34), and nonfertilized oocytes (group O, n = 20).

SETTING

Research laboratory working closely with a clinical IVF practice.

PATIENT(S)

Oocytes and embryos were obtained from patients undergoing assisted fertilization.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Quantification of mRNA transcripts.

RESULT(S)

The amount of p27 mRNA was statistically significantly higher in group A (mean +/- SEM, 86,143 +/- 42,496 relative units [RU]) compared with groups D (10,680 +/- 3,850 RU) and O (3,555 +/- 1,458 RU). Furthermore, in a group of 13 two- to four-cell arrested embryos, high levels of p27 mRNA (51,481 +/- 31,120 RU) were found in comparison with the nonfertilized oocyte group (3,555 +/- 1,458 RU).

CONCLUSION(S)

Cleavage-stage human embryos exhibiting developmental arrest show increased p27 mRNA expression. This probably is due to increased transcriptional activity.

Maintenance of genomic methylation patterns during preimplantation development requires the somatic form of DNA methyltransferase 1

DNA methylation at cytosine residues in CpG dinucleotides is a component of epigenetic marks crucial to mammalian development. In preimplantation stage embryos, a large part of genomic DNA is extensively demethylated, whereas the methylation patterns are faithfully maintained in certain regions. To date, no enzymes responsible for the maintenance of DNA methylation during preimplantation development have been identified except for the oocyte form of DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1o) at the 8-cell stage. Herein, we demonstrate that the somatic form of Dnmt1 (Dnmt1s) is present in association with chromatin in MII-stage oocytes as well as in the nucleus throughout preimplantation development. At the early one-cell stage, Dnmt1s is asymmetrically localized in the maternal pronuclei. Thereafter, Dnmt1s is recruited to the paternal genome during pronuclear maturation. During the first two cell cycles after fertilization, Dnmt1s is exported from the nucleus in the G2 phase in a CRM1/exportin-dependent manner. Antibody microinjection and small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down decreases methylated CpG dinucleotides in repetitive intracisternal A-type particle (IAP) sequences and the imprinted gene H19. These results indicate that Dnmt1s is responsible for the maintenance methylation of particular genomic regions whose methylation patterns must be faithfully maintained during preimplantation development.

Temporal expression of factors involved in chromatin remodeling and in gene regulation during early bovine in vitro embryo development

Distinct epigenetic modification events regulate gene expression and chromatin structure during the period between the immature oocyte and the blastocyst. Throughout this developmental period, important methylation fluctuations occur on genomic DNA and histones. Finding single or combinations of factors, which are at work during this period is essential to understand the entire epigenetic process. With this in mind, we assessed the precise temporal expression profile, during preimplantation embryo development, of 15 key regulators involved in RNA, DNA or histone methylation, chromatin modification or silencing and transcription regulation. To achieve this, real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify the mRNA levels of ATF7IP, DMAP1, EHMT1, EHMT2, HELLS, JARID1A, JARID1B, JMJD1A, JMJD2A, LSD1, MeCP2, METTL3, PRMT2, PRMT5 and RCOR2, in the oocyte and throughout in vitro bovine embryo development. Our results demonstrate that all the 15 key regulators were present to different degrees in the developmental stages tested, and they can be divided into three different groups depending on their respective mRNA profile.

Paternal pronuclear DNA degradation is functionally linked to DNA replication in mouse oocytes

We recently demonstrated that mouse spermatozoa contain a mechanism to degrade their DNA into loop-sized fragments of about 50 kb, mediated by topoisomerase IIB, termed sperm chromatin fragmentation (SCF). SCF is often followed by a more complete digestion of the DNA with a sperm nuclease. When SCF-induced spermatozoa are injected into oocytes, the paternal pronuclei degrade their DNA after the initiation of DNA synthesis, but the maternal pronuclei are unaffected and replicate normally. Here, we tested whether the nuclease activity changes in spermatozoa of different maturation stages, and whether there is a functional relationship between the initiation of DNA synthesis and paternal DNA degradation induced by SCF in the zygote. We found that spermatozoa from the vas deferens have a much higher level of SCF activity than those from the cauda epididymis, suggesting that spermatozoa may acquire this activity in the vas deferens. Furthermore, paternal pronuclei formed in zygotes from injecting oocytes with SCF-induced vas deferens spermatozoa degraded their DNA, but this degradation could be inhibited by the DNA synthesis inhibitor, aphidicolin. Upon release from a 4 h aphidicolin-induced arrest, DNA synthesis was initiated in maternal pronuclei, while the paternal pronuclei degraded their DNA. Longer aphidicolin arrest resulted in the paternal pronuclei replicating their DNA, suggesting that delaying the initiation of DNA synthesis allowed the paternal pronuclei to overcome the SCF-induced DNA degradation pathway. These results suggest that the paternal DNA degradation, in oocytes fertilized with SCF-induced spermatozoa, is coupled to the initiation of DNA synthesis in newly fertilized zygotes.

Molecular Analysis of Maturation Processes by Protein and Phosphoprotein Profiling during In Vitro Maturation of Bovine Oocytes: A Proteomic Approach

Cellular maturation and differentiation processes are accompanied by the expression of specific proteins. Especially in oocytes, there is no reliable strict linear correlation between mRNA levels and the abundance of proteins. Furthermore, the activity of proteins is modulated by specific kinases and phosphatases which control cellular processes like cellular growth, differentiation, cell cycle and meiosis. During the meiotic maturation of oocytes, the activation of protein kinases, namely of the MPF and MAPK play a predominant role. Therefore, the present study was performed to analyze meiotic maturation at a molecular level, concerning alterations of the proteom and phosphoproteom during IVM. Using a proteomic approach by combining two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by selective protein and phosphoprotein staining and mass spectrometry, we identified proteins which were differentially expressed and/or phosphorylated during IVM. Furthermore, we used the MPF inhibitor butyrolactone I, to reveal new molecular effects which are potentially essential for successful maturation. The results show that approximately 550 protein spots could be visualized by the fluorescent dye Sypro ruby at any maturation stage (GV, M I, M II) investigated. From GV stage to M II, ProQ diamond staining indicate in GV 30%, in M I 50%, and in M II 45% of the spots were phosphorylated. The Identity of 40 spots could be established. These proteins belong to different families, for example, cytoskeleton, molecular chaperons, redox, energy and metabolism related proteins, nucleic acid binding proteins, cell cycle regulators, and protein kinases. Four of them were differentially expressed (alteration higher than factor 2) during IVM, namely tubulin beta-chain, cyclin E(2), protein disulfide isomerase and one of two different forms of peroxiredoxin 2. Seven proteins were differentially stained by ProQ diamond, indicating a differential phosphorylation. These are tubulin beta-chain, beta-actin, cyclin E(2), aldose reductase and UMP-synthase, protein disulfide isomerase 2, and peroxiredoxin 2. Furthermore, the results indicate that the phosphorylation of at least peroxiredoxin 2 respond to BL I treatment. This indicates that its phosphorylation is under the control of MPF or MAPK. In summary these results indicates that the reduction of cyclin Eexpression and the (partially) inactivation of peroxiredoxin 2 by phosphorylation, hence alterations in the peroxide levels which can mediate signal transduction are essential components for successful maturation.

The CRY box: a second APCcdh1-dependent degron in mammalian cdc20

Cdc20 and cdh1 are coactivators of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC). APC(cdc20) is necessary for the metaphase-anaphase transition and, at the end of mitosis, vertebrate cdc20 itself becomes a target for degradation through KEN-box-dependent APC(cdh1) activity. By studying the degradation of fluorescent protein chimaeras in mammalian oocytes and early embryos, we found that cdc20 was degraded through two independent degradation signals (degrons), the KEN box and a newly described CRY box. In both oocytes and G1-stage embryos, the rate of degradation through the CRY box was greater than through the KEN box, although both were mediated by APC(cdh1). Thus, mammalian oocytes and embryos have the capacity to recognize two degrons in cdc20.

Basonuclin: a novel mammalian maternal-effect gene

Basonuclin is a zinc-finger protein found in abundance in oocytes. It qualifies as a maternal-effect gene because the source of pre-implantation embryonic basonuclin is maternal. Using a transgenic-RNAi approach, we knocked down basonuclin specifically in mouse oocytes, which led to female sub-fertility. Basonuclin deficiency in oocytes perturbed both RNA polymerase I- and II-mediated transcription, and oocyte morphology was affected (as evidenced by cytoplasmic and cell surface abnormalities). Some of the affected oocytes, however, could still mature to and arrest at metaphase II, and be ovulated. Nevertheless, fertilized basonuclin-deficient eggs failed to develop beyond the two-cell stage, and this pre-implantation failure accounted for the sub-fertility phenotype. These results suggest that basonuclin is a new member of the mammalian maternal-effect genes and, interestingly, differs from the previously reported mammalian maternal-effect genes in that it also apparently perturbs oogenesis.

Degradation of maternal mRNA in mouse embryos: selective degradation of specific mRNAs after fertilization

During oogenesis, mRNA is actively transcribed and accumulated in growing oocytes, but this transcription stops before the oocytes grow to their full size. The accumulated maternal mRNA is used for protein synthesis in the oocytes during meiotic maturation and even in the embryos to sustain development after fertilization. Therefore, the degradation of accumulated maternal mRNA starts during meiotic maturation, but its rate is slow. Nevertheless, some mRNA species should rapidly degrade after fertilization if they encode proteins that play a role in specific events during meiosis and are detrimental for development after fertilization. In this study, to identify the selective degradation of maternal transcripts after fertilization, we sought mRNAs that are degraded in the early hours after fertilization by constructing an oocyte cDNA library after subtracting the cDNA of embryos at the mid one-cell stage. H1oo, c-mos, tPA (tissue type plasminogen activator gene), and Gdf9 were identified as genes whose transcripts undergo rapid degradation after fertilization. RT-PCR analysis showed that none of these transcripts was expressed during pre-implantation development once they were eliminated, suggesting that the mRNA species that are required for oogenesis, but not for early pre-implantation development, are degraded rapidly after fertilization. Microinjection of chimeric mRNAs in which the coding and 3'-untranslated regions (3'UTR) were exchanged between c-mos and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase mRNAs revealed that the 3'UTR plays a role in the rapid degradation that occurs after fertilization. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) was found near a poly(A) signal in the 3'UTR of all the mRNA species identified as rapidly degrading mRNA. The mechanism for the selective degradation is discussed, in relation to its biological significance.

Transcript profiling during mouse oocyte development and the effect of gonadotropin priming and development in vitro

The molecular basis for acquisition of meiotic and developmental competence, the two main outcomes of oocyte development and essential for producing an egg capable of being fertilized and supporting development to term, is largely unknown. Using microarrays, we characterized global changes in gene expression in oocytes derived from primordial, primary, secondary, small antral, and large antral follicles and used Expression Analysis Systematic Explorer (EASE) to identify biological and molecular processes that accompany these transitions and likely underpin acquisition of meiotic and developmental competence. The greatest degree of change in gene expression occurs during the primordial to primary follicle transition. Of particular interest is that specific chromosomes display significant changes in their overall transcriptional activity and that in some cases these changes are largely confined to specific regions on these chromosomes. We also examined the transcript profile of oocytes that developed in vitro, as well as following eCG priming. Remarkably, the expression profiles only differed by 4% and 2% from oocytes that developed in vivo when compared to oocytes that developed in vitro from either primordial or secondary follicles, respectively. About 1% of the genes were commonly mis-expressed, and EASE analysis revealed there is an over-representation of genes involved in transcription. Developmental competence of oocytes obtained from eCG-primed mice was substantially improved when compared to oocytes obtained from unprimed mice, and this correlated with decreased expression of genes implicated in basal transcription.

RNA transcript profiling during zygotic gene activation in the preimplantation mouse embryo

Zygotic gene activation is essential for development beyond the 2-cell stage in the preimplantation mouse embryo. Based on alpha-amanitin-sensitive BrUTP incorporation, transcription initiates in the 1-cell embryo and a major reprogramming of gene expression driven by newly expressed genes is prominently observed during the 2-cell stage. Superimposed on genome activation is the development of a transcriptionally repressive state that is mediated at the level of chromatin structure. The identity of the genes that are expressed during the 1- and 2-cell stages, however, is poorly described, as are those genes involved in mediating the transcriptionally repressive state. Using the Affymetrix MOE430 mouse GeneChip set, we characterized the set of alpha-amanitin-sensitive genes expressed during the 1- and 2-cell stages, and we used Expression Analysis Systematic Explorer (EASE) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to identify biological and molecular processes represented by these genes, as well as interactions among them. We find that although the 1-cell embryo is transcriptionally active, we did not detect any transcripts present on the MOE430 GeneChip set to be alpha-amanitin-sensitive. Thus, what the BrUTP incorporation represents remains elusive. About 17% of genes expressed in the 2-cell embryo are alpha-amanitin-sensitive. EASE analysis reveals that genes involved in ribosome biogenesis and assembly, protein synthesis, RNA metabolism and transcription are over-represented, suggesting that genome activation during 2-cell stage may not be as global and promiscuous as previously proposed. IPA implicated Myc and Hdac1 as candidate genes involved in genome activation and the development of the transcriptionally repressive state, respectively.

Cell cycle in mouse development

Mice likely represent the most-studied mammalian organism, except for humans. Genetic engineering in embryonic stem cells has allowed derivation of mouse strains lacking particular cell cycle proteins. Analyses of these mutant mice, and cells derived from them, facilitated the studies of the functions of cell cycle apparatus at the organismal and cellular levels. In this review, we give some background about the cell cycle progression during mouse development. We next discuss some insights about in vivo functions of the cell cycle proteins, gleaned from mouse knockout experiments. Our text is meant to provide examples of the recent experiments, rather than to supply an extensive and complete list.

Effect of speed of development on mRNA expression pattern in early bovine embryos cultured in vivo or in vitro

Recent data have demonstrated that fast-cleaving embryos produced in vitro are more likely to develop to blastocyst stage, and that the postfertilization culture system used impacts considerably on the mRNA expression and quality of blastocysts produced. The present study is the first to investigate the relationship between the developmental speed of embryos produced in vivo or in vitro and the temporal transcription pattern. Genes related to important preimplantation events are monitored during the first 4 days of embryo development in embryos with fast or slow development. The set of genes analyzed in the present study characterizes several important physiological processes including: transport and metabolism of fructose (Glut-5), stress (SOX), mitochondrial activity and detoxification of reactive oxygen species (MnSOD), cell communication (Cx43), maternal recognition of pregnancy (IFN-tau), imprinting (IGF-II), apoptosis (Bax), growth factor binding and metabolism (IGF-IR), and oxidative stress (G6PD). Using real time PCR, we have found that for all the genes analyzed there are differences in mRNA expression between embryos with fast and slow developmental speed produced both in vitro and in vivo. Frequently, genes that may be stress induced such as SOX, MnSOD, BAX, IFtau, and G6PD were highly transcribed in in vitro produced embryos and in embryos with slow developmental speed. On the other side, transcripts from genes related with metabolism, growth, and differentiation (Glut-5, Cx 43, IGF-II, and IGF-IR) were detected in higher amounts in in vivo produced embryos and in embryos with fast developmental speed. Moreover, it is interesting to stand out that for some genetic markers (such as SOX and G6PD) there are in vivo and in vitro differences that can be observed even before materno-zygotic transition, which probably reflects a differential mRNA degradation. These transcription patterns reflects the embryonic response to the adverse in vitro culture conditions, and connect the low quality of embryos which slow developmental speed produced in vivo and in vitro, with the mRNA expression pattern of some embryonic genes.

Cdk2 Activity is Essential for the First to Second Meiosis Transition in Porcine Oocytes

The meiotic progression of Xenopus oocytes has been suggested to depend on the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2). We examined whether Cdk2 is involved in the regulation of mammalian oocyte meiosis by injecting porcine oocytes with anti-Cdk2 antibody. At first, the cross-reactivity of the anti-Cdk2 antibody with Cdc2 kinase was evaluated by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting experiments using porcine granulosa cell extract, and no cross-reactivity with Cdc2 kinase was observed in the antibody used. In the anti-Cdk2 antibody-injected group, 50.7% of the oocytes were arrested in the second metaphase after 50 h of culture and this rate was significantly lower than those in the non-injected intact oocytes or the oocytes injected with mouse IgG (84.5% and 86.7%, respectively). Most of the other oocytes in the antibody-injected group formed a pronucleus without polar bodies or with only one polar body. The cyclin B1 amount in the antibody-injected and activated oocytes was dramatically decreased compared with that in the intact or mouse IgG-injected oocytes after 50 h of culture. These results suggest that Cdk2 is involved in the meiotic maturation of mammalian oocytes, and that the block of Cdk2 activity results in the failure of cyclin B1 accumulation and second meiosis induction.

Effect of paternal heat stress on the development in vitro of preimplantation embryos in the mouse

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of paternal heat stress on the development in vitro of preimplantation embryos in the mouse. Female C57/CBA mice were superovulated using eCG/hCG and mated either to an untreated (control) male mouse or to one that had been exposed for 24 h to an ambient temperature of 36 +/- 0.1 degrees C and 62 +/- 0.4% relative humidity, between 3 and 42 days previously. Putative zygotes were collected from the oviducts of mated mice, 25-28 h after hCG injection, and cultured in vitro. Embryo development was evaluated at 24-h intervals for up to 120 h. Paternal heat stress significantly reduced the proportion of embryos that developed normally during 24-120 h of in vitro culture, when zygotes were sired by males which had been heat stressed between 7 and 35 days prior to mating. Maximum impairment to development (including nondevelopment, abnormal and dying/dead embryos) occurred in those embryos sired by males at days 14 and 21 after heating. Embryo development returned to control levels by day 42 after heat stress. Furthermore, whilst all stages of embryo development were affected by paternal heat stress, the proportion of embryos at the two-cell stage appeared to be most severely affected. Four-cell to morula stages and the morula to blastocyst stage also demonstrated impairment at days 14, 21, 28 and 35 after heating. These results demonstrate that a single episode of paternal heat stress significantly reduces the development of preimplantation embryos, and this is not recovered until day 42 after heating. The present results also support previous work demonstrating that sperm from the epididymis as well as germ cells in the testis are susceptible to damage by heat stress, with both spermatids and spermatocytes being the most vulnerable.

The direct measurement of embryogenic volume and nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio during mouse pre-implantation development

After fertilization, the mammalian conceptus undergoes cleavage, a process of cell proliferation in the absence of interphase growth. It is not known when cleavage ends and gives way to fully replicative cell cycles with a stable nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio. We have used two-photon excitation and confocal microscopy to measure directly volumes and nucleo-cytoplasmic ratios of whole murine concepti and their individual constituent blastomeres during pre-implantation development up to the early uterine attachment stage (day 5). We show that the total cytoplasmic volume of the conceptus remains constant during pre-implantation development, and that the average nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio increases exponentially throughout the same period. Data from individual blastomeres show that both volume and nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio diverge in the inner and outer subpopulations evident from the 16-cell stage (fifth developmental cycle) onwards. Cells from emergent outer trophoblast populations are larger and have smaller nucleo-cytoplasmic ratios than those from emergent inner pluriblast populations. Moreover, the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio of the trophoblast appears to be stabilizing, suggesting that for this subpopulation cleavage may end at the 16–32-cell transition. Putative hypoblast and epiblast cell subpopulations within the pluriblast were not distinguishable by volume or nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio. Embryonic stem cell volume was higher than that of either cell subpopulation of expanded blastocysts, and their nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio was similar to that of trophoblast cells.

Isolation of nascent messenger RNA from mouse preimplantation embryos

The expression of the zygotic genome starts at the late one-cell stage in mouse embryos, and its regulation changes dynamically until the late two-cell stage. To understand this process, it is important to accumulate the profiles of the genes transcribed at any given instant at each stage of development. However, because large amounts of maternal mRNA accumulate in embryos to sustain early development, it is difficult to determine the profile of newly synthesized mRNA just after gene activation. To overcome this difficulty, we established a novel method of isolating nascent mRNA from the large pool of preexisting mRNA. Briefly, the procedure was as follows. Embryos were electrically permeabilized and loaded with 5-bromouridine-5'-triphosphate (BrUTP). Nascent mRNA with incorporated BrU was isolated by immunoprecipitation with an antibody recognizing BrU. The cDNA was synthesized from the isolated mRNA, and its abundance was evaluated using semiquantitative real-time PCR. Using this method, we examined the amounts of newly synthesized eIF-1A, MuERV-L, and cyclin-A2 transcripts in two-cell mouse embryos and compared them with the quantities of these transcripts present in the total mRNA pool. The amount of each transcript in the nascent mRNA fraction and in the total mRNA pool changed differently over time, demonstrating that this method can be used to obtain profiles of genes transcribed during development.

Expression of Nucleolar-Related Proteins in Porcine Preimplantation Embryos Produced In Vivo and In Vitro1

The expression of nucleolar-related proteins was studied as an indirect marker of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene activation in porcine embryos up to the blastocyst stage produced in vivo and in vitro. A group of the in vivo-developed embryos were cultured with alpha-amanitin to block the de novo embryonic mRNA transcription. Localization of proteins involved in the rRNA transcription (upstream binding factor [UBF], topoisomerase I, RNA polymerase I [RNA Pol I], and the RNA Pol I-associated factor PAF53) and processing (fibrillarin, nucleophosmin, and nucleolin) was assessed by immunocytochemistry and confocal laser-scanning microscopy, and mRNA expression was determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). These findings were correlated with ultrastructural data and autoradiography following 20-min [3H]uridine incubation. Additionally, expression of the pocket proteins pRb and p130, which are involved in cell-cycle regulation, was assessed by semiquantitative RT-PCR up to the blastocyst stage. Toward the end of third cell cycle, the nuclei in non-alpha-amanitin-treated, in vivo-produced embryos displayed different stages of transformation of the nuclear precursor bodies (NPBs) into fibrillogranular nucleoli associated with autoradiographic labeling. However, on culture with alpha-amanitin, NPBs were not transformed into a fibrillogranular nucleolus during this cell cycle, demonstrating that embryonic nucleogenesis requires de novo mRNA transcription. Moreover, immunolocalization of RNA Pol I, but not of UBF, and the mRNA expression of PAF53 and UBF were significantly reduced or absent after culture with alpha-amanitin, indicating that RNA Pol I, PAF53, and presumably, UBF are derived from de novo embryonic transcription. Embryonic genomic activation was delayed in porcine embryos produced in vitro compared to the in vivo-derived counterparts with respect to mRNAs encoding PAF53 and UBF. Moreover, differences existed in the mRNA expression patterns of pRb between in vivo- and in vitro-developed embryos. These findings show, to our knowledge for the first time, a nucleolus-related gene expression in the preimplantation porcine embryo, and they highlight the differences in quality between in vivo and in vitro-produced embryos.

Temporal distribution of CDK4, CDK6, D-type cyclins, and p27 in developing mouse oocytes

Various molecular interactions not operating in other cell types are most likely required for mammalian oocytes to develop into fully competent eggs. This study seeks to initiate analyses of the potential oocyte-specific functions of regulators of G1/S progression-CDK4, CDK6, D-type cyclins, and p27-by first determining their expression patterns in growing and maturing mouse oocytes and in mouse embryos early after fertilization. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses on isolated oocytes were employed to evaluate both their levels and their localization. The data show that 1). mouse oocytes contain significant amounts of all studied regulators; 2). their amounts and localization undergo dramatic changes as the oocytes grow, meiotically mature, and transit into embryogenesis; and 3). some regulators (CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D2, and p27) appear in unusual, most likely posttranslationally modified, forms. These data distinguish G1/S regulators as the potential players in molecular processes that are important for oocytes to function normally.

The p27cip/kip ortholog dacapo maintains the Drosophila oocyte in prophase of meiosis I

Animal oocytes undergo a highly conserved developmental arrest in prophase of meiosis I. Often this marks a period of rapid growth for the oocyte and is necessary to coordinate meiotic progression with the developmental events of oogenesis. In Drosophila, the oocyte develops within a 16-cell germline cyst. Throughout much of oogenesis, the oocyte remains in prophase of meiosis I. By contrast, its 15 mitotic sisters enter the endocycle and become polyploid in preparation for their role as nurse cells. How germline cysts establish and maintain these two independent cell cycles is unknown. We demonstrate a role for the p21(CIP)/p27(Kip1)/p57(Kip2)-like cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (cki) dacapo in the maintenance of the meiotic cycle in Drosophila oocytes. Our data indicate that it is through the differential regulation of the cki Dacapo that two modes of cell-cycle regulation are independently maintained within the common cytoplasm of ovarian cysts.

Time and development

The role that biological timers play in gametogenesis and development is reviewed through use of selected examples. Some general features of biological timers are also reviewed, and two types of timing mechanism are discussed in more detail: circadian rhythms and cell-cycle-based timers. In particular, the recent evidence that oscillatory ion channel activity may play an important role in timing mechanisms is summarized. The activity and properties of an oscillatory K(+) channel present during preimplantation mouse development are described, and preliminary results from its neutralization are discussed.

The step-wise assembly of a functional nucleolus in preimplantation mouse embryos involves the cajal (coiled) body

After fertilization, ribosomal RNA synthesis is silenced during a period which depends on the species. Data concerning the reassembly of a functional nucleolus remain scarce. We have examined by immunocytochemistry, Western blots, and BrUTP microinjection the dynamics of major nucleolar proteins during the first cycles of mouse embryogenesis, in relation to rDNA transcription sites and coilin, a marker of Cajal bodies. We show that: (1) the reinitiation of rDNA transcription occurs at the two-cell stage, 44-45 h after hCG injection (hphCG), at the surface of the nucleolar precursor bodies (NPBs), where the RNA polymerase I (pol I) transcription complex is recruited 4-5 h before; (2) the NPBs are not equal in their ability to support recruitment of pol I and rDNA transcription; (3) maternally inherited fibrillarin undergoes a dynamic redistribution during the second cell stage, together with coilin, leading to the assembly of the Cajal body around 40 hphCG; and (4) the pol I complex is first recruited to the Cajal body before reaching its rDNA template. We also find that fibrillarin and B23 are both directly assembled around NPBs prior to ongoing pre-rRNA synthesis. Altogether, our results reveal a role of the Cajal bodies in the building of a functional nucleolus.

Preimplantation-embryo-specific cell cycle regulation is attributed to the low expression level of retinoblastoma protein

It is known that a characteristic of the mammalian preimplantation-embryo-specific cell cycle is the substantially shortened G1-phase, although the regulation mechanisms of the unique cell cycle remain unclear. In the present study, we first examined the presence of retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor gene product throughout mouse preimplantation embryo development and found that the RB expression was down-regulated between the four-cell and morula stages. Furthermore, the overexpression of RB protein in the mouse embryos during this phase inhibited their development significantly. These results suggest that the absence of RB protein contributes to the preimplantation-embryo-specific cell cycle.

Deregulated expression of the homeobox gene Cux-1 in transgenic mice results in downregulation of p27(kip1) expression during nephrogenesis, glomerular abnormalities, and multiorgan hyperplasia

Cux-1 is a murine homeobox gene that is highly expressed in the developing kidney with expression restricted to the nephrogenic zone. Cux-1 is highly expressed in cyst epithelium of polycystic kidneys from C57BL/6J-cpk/cpk mice, but not in kidneys isolated from age-matched phenotypically normal littermates. To further elucidate the role of Cux-1 in renal development, we generated transgenic mice expressing Cux-1 under the control of the CMV immediate early gene promoter. Mice constitutively expressing Cux-1 developed multiorgan hyperplasia and organomegaly, but not an overall increase in body size. Transgenic kidneys were enlarged 50% by 6 weeks of age, with the increased growth primarily restricted to the cortex. Proliferating cells were found in proximal and distal tubule epithelium throughout the cortex, and the squamous epithelium that normally lines Bowman's capsule was replaced with proximal tubule epithelium. However, the total number of nephrons was not increased. In the developing kidneys of transgenic mice, Cux-1 was ectopically expressed in more highly differentiated tubules and glomeruli, and this was associated with reduced expression of the cyclin kinase inhibitor, p27. Transient transfection experiments revealed that Cux-1 is an inhibitor of p27 promoter activity. These results suggest that Cux-1 regulates cell proliferation during early nephrogenesis by inhibiting expression of p27.

Role of cyclic nucleotide signaling in oocyte maturation

The development of the ovarian follicle, oocyte maturation, and ovulation require a complex set of endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine inputs that are translated into the regulation of cyclic nucleotide levels. Changes in intracellular cAMP mediate the gonadotropin regulation of granulosa and theca cell functions. Likewise, a decrease in cAMP concentration in the oocyte has been associated with the resumption of meiosis. Using pharmacological and molecular approaches, we determined that the expression of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), the enzymes that degrade and inactivate cAMP, is compartmentalized in the ovarian follicle of all species studied, with PDE3 present in the oocytes and PDE4s in granulosa cells. The PDE3 expressed in the mouse oocyte was cloned, and the protein expressed in a heterologous system had properties similar to those of a PDE3A derived from somatic cells. Inhibition of the oocyte PDE3 completely blocked oocyte maturation in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating that the activity of this enzyme is essential for oocyte maturation. Heterologous expression of PDE3A in Xenopus oocyte causes morphological changes distinctive of resumption of meiosis (GVBD), as well as activation of mos translation and MAPK phosphorylation. Using mRNA and antibody microinjection in the Xenopus eggs, we have shown that PDE3 is downstream from the kinase PKB/Akt in the pathway that mediates IGF-1 but not progesterone-induced meiotic resumption. The presence of a similar regulatory module in mammalian oocytes is inferred by pharmacological studies with PDE3 inhibitors and measurement of PDE activity. Thus, PDE3 plays an essential role in the signaling pathway that controls resumption of meiosis in amphibians and mammals. Understanding the regulation of this enzyme may shed some light on the signals that trigger oocyte maturation.

Disruption of the p53 gene results in preserved trabecular bone mass and bone formation after mechanical unloading

We tested the hypothesis that mechanical unloading facilitates signaling of p53, an important modulator of cell cycling and apoptosis, in bone marrow cells and thereby reduces trabecular bone volume (BV). We performed histomorphometric analyses and bone marrow cell cultures in tail-suspended (TS) p53 null (p53-/-) and wild-type (p53+/+) mice. Eight-week-old male mice were assigned to four groups after 1-week acclimatization: p53+/+ + ground control (GC), p53+/+ + TS, p53-/- + GC, and p53-/- + TS. Bilateral tibial samples were used for analysis. The histomorphometric parameters of trabecular structure, formation and resorption did not differ between the p53-/- + GC and p53+/+ + GC groups. Trabecular BV in p53+/+ + TS mice was significantly reduced to 45% of that in the p53+/+ + GC group after one week of TS. In contrast, BV in p53-/- + TS mice was preserved at the same level as that in the p53-/- + GC group. The bone formation rate (BFR) was significantly reduced in p53+/+ + TS but not in p53-/- + TS mice. Unloading significantly increased trabecular osteoclast number (Oc.N) and surface in p53+/+ + TS mice compared with the p53+/+ + GC group, but the difference was not significant between p53-/- + TS and p53-/- + GC mice. In bone marrow cell culture, the numbers of alkaline phosphatase-positive (ALP+) colony-forming units fibroblastic (CFU-f) and mineralized nodules were significantly reduced in p53+/+ + TS, but not p53-/- + TS mice. [3H]thymidine incorporation into bone marrow cells was higher in p53-/- mice than in p53+/+ mice, independent of mechanical loading or unloading. Flow cytometric cell cycle analysis revealed that unloading significantly increased the percentage of hypoploid bone marrow cells in p53+/+ mice relative to that in p53+/+ + GC mice, but there was no significant difference in ploidy between p53-/- + TS and p53-/- + GC mice. Expression levels of p53 and p21 mRNAs were enhanced after TS in bone marrow cells from p53+/+ mice. Our data show that trabecular bone mass and bone formation were preserved after tail-suspension in p53-/- mice, closely associated with ALP+ CFU-f and mineralized nodule formation in marrow cultures obtained from tibias of p53-/- mice. We speculate that bone loss due to mechanical unloading may be related to facilitation of intracellular p53-p21 signaling.

High-mobility group proteins 14 and 17 maintain the timing of early embryonic development in the mouse

The high-mobility group (HMG) proteins 14 and 17 are abundant chromosomal proteins that bind to nucleosomes and enhance transcription. We report that both mRNA species and both proteins are present throughout oogenesis and preimplantation development of the mouse. When antisense oligonucleotides targeting each mRNA species are injected into one-cell embryos, the proteins become depleted at the two- and four-cell stages and reaccumulate at the eight-cell stage. One-cell embryos injected with antisense oligonucleotides targeting both HMG-14 and HMG-17 cleave to the two-cell stage. Subsequent cleavages, however, are delayed compared with control-injected embryos. Nevertheless, these embryos ultimately reach the blastocyst stage. Similarly, injection into the nuclei of two-cell embryos of a peptide corresponding to the common nucleosome-binding domain of HMG-14 and HMG-17 delays progression to the four-cell stage. Furthermore, both RNA and protein synthesis is transiently reduced in antisense-injected embryos compared with injected controls. These results identify HMG-14 and HMG-17 as constitutive components of mouse oocyte and embryonic chromatin and establish a link between the structure of embryonic chromatin and the normal progression of embryonic development.

Suppression of cell cycle progression by a fungal lectin: activation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors

The antiproliferative activity of a fungal lectin (VVL) isolated from the mushroom, Volvariella volvacea, was studied using a battery of cultured tumor cell lines. It was revealed that [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into the cell lines was markedly reduced at 0.32 microM VVL. When S180 mouse sarcoma cells were incubated for 48 hr with doses of VVL ranging from 0.32 to 0.8 microM, prominent blebs on the cell surface and large vacuoles in the cytoplasm, but not apoptotic bodies, were observed under a fluorescence microscopy. VVL did not exert ribosome-inactivating activity or induce any changes in the expression of cyclins A, D1, and E. However, it did activate the expression of cyclin kinase inhibitors, namely p21, p27, p53, and Rb, in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated an accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase in a time- and dose-dependent manner, indicating that VVL arrested cell proliferation by blocking cell cycle progression in the G2/M phase.

Molecular and biochemical regulation of early mammalian development

Fertilization initiates a rapid series of changes that restructures the egg into the zygote and initiates the program of early development. These changes in the cell occur while the genetic complement of the egg and sperm are in a highly condensed state and unable to participate in transcription. The egg cytoplasm, formed by the maternal genome, contains the necessary components that mediate the early restructuring of egg into zygote. These changes are mediated by a series of cytoplasmic signal transduction events initiated by the rise in [Ca2+]i caused when the sperm penetrates the egg. The structural changes that the egg undergoes are rapid and result in the extensive remodeling of this specialized cell. Protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM KII) are two pivotal signaling agents that mediate several of these rapid modifications in cell structure. Studies indicate the meiotic spindle serves as an architectural element in the egg that acts to colocalize elements from several of the key signaling pathways and may provide a means for these pathways to interact. In mammals, transcription begins earlier than in zygotes from other classes of organisms, starting several hours after fertilization in the male and female pronuclei and continuing in the embryonic nuclei. Studies indicate that nuclei undergo an initial state that is permissive for transcription, and then in Gap 2 of the two-cell embryo, enter a transcriptionally repressive state. These changes have been linked to the times during the cell cycle when the DNA is replicated, and also have been proposed as a requirement for proper initiation of the program of early development.

Early development of mouse embryos null mutant for the cyclin A2 gene occurs in the absence of maternally derived cyclin A2 gene products

Progression through the mammalian cell cycle is regulated by the sequential activation and inactivation of the cyclin-dependent kinases. In adult cells, cyclin A2-dependent kinases are required for entry into S and M phases, completion of S phase, and centrosome duplication. However, mouse embryos lacking the cyclin A2 gene nonetheless complete preimplantation development, but die soon after implantation. In this report, we investigated whether a contribution of maternal cyclin A2 mRNA and protein to early embryonic cell cycles might explain these conflicting observations. Our data show that a maternal stock of cyclin A2 mRNA is present in the oocyte and persists after fertilization until the second mitotic cell cycle, when it is degraded to undetectable levels coincident with transcriptional activation of the zygotic genome. A portion of maternally derived cyclin A2 protein is stable during the first mitosis and persists in the cytoplasm, but is completely degraded at the second mitosis. The ability of cyclin A2-null mutants to develop normally from the four-cell to the postimplantation stage in the absence of detectable cyclin A2 gene product indicates therefore that cyclin A2 is dispensable for cellular progression during the preimplantation nongrowth period of mouse embryo development.