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Davenport KM, Ortega MS, Johnson GA, Seo H, Spencer TE. Review: Implantation and placentation in ruminants. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100796. [PMID: 37567669 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruminants have a unique placenta in comparison to other mammalian species. Initially, they possess a non-invasive epitheliochorial type of placenta during conceptus elongation. As the conceptus trophectoderm begins to attach to the luminal epithelium (LE) of the endometrium, binucleate cells (BNCs) develop within the trophoblast of the chorion. The BNCs migrate and fuse with the uterine LE to form multinucleate syncytial plaques in sheep and hybrid trinucleate cells in cattle. This area of the ruminant placenta is semi-invasive synepitheliochorial. The BNCs form the foundation of the placental cotyledons and express unique placenta-specific genes including pregnancy-associated glycoproteins and chorionic somatomammotropin hormone 2 or placental lactogen. Attachment and interdigitation of cotyledons into endometrial caruncles form placentomes that are subsequently vascularized to provide essential nutrients for growth of the fetus. This chapter review will discuss historical and current aspects of conceptus implantation and placenta development in ruminant ungulates with a focus on cattle and sheep. Single-cell analysis promises to provide a much more detailed understanding of the different cell populations and insights into pathways mediating trophoblast and placenta. This fundamental is required to understand pregnancy loss and develop strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes in ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Davenport
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - M S Ortega
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - G A Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences and Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784, USA
| | - H Seo
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences and Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784, USA
| | - T E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Division of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Barbato O, Menchetti L, Brecchia G, Barile VL. Using Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) to Improve Reproductive Management: From Dairy Cows to Other Dairy Livestock. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162033. [PMID: 36009621 PMCID: PMC9404451 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pregnancy loss is a major cause of infertility in dairy animals, particularly in cattle, which affects the productivity and profitability of farms. Detecting these unsuccessful pregnancies could offer farmers the opportunity to reduce the economic damage caused by pregnancy loss. The determination of proteins secreted by the placenta and related to the presence of a viable conceptus called pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) represents a diagnostic tool to identify pregnant or non-pregnant animals and to predict early pregnancy failures. This review describes the state of the art related to PAGs’ function, pregnancy profile, and use in reproductive management in bovine and other dairy livestock. Abstract Pregnancy success represents a major issue for the economic income of cattle breeders. Early detection of pregnant and non-pregnant animals, as well as the prediction of early pregnancy failure, can influence farm management decisions. Several diagnostic tools for pregnancy are currently available. Among these, pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) have been shown to be useful for identifying the presence of vital embryos and for pregnancy follow-up monitoring. This review presents an overview of the PAGs’ functions, their pregnancy trends, and their use as a tool to improve reproductive management in bovine and other dairy livestock, such as small ruminants and buffalos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olimpia Barbato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura Menchetti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Gabriele Brecchia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Vittoria Lucia Barile
- Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA), Via Salaria 31, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
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Approaches to Identify Pregnancy Failure in Buffalo Cows. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020487. [PMID: 33673362 PMCID: PMC7917614 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Embryonic mortality and pregnancy failures still represent a major issue in domestic livestock production, particularly in dairy cattle. Despite the presence of extensive work in this research area, there is still no effective, accurate and practical method able to determine timing and viability of embryo specifically during early gestation. Indeed, technologies and techniques for predicting pregnancy success must continue to be developed. The aim of this work was to find the best strategy to diagnose pregnancy failures in buffalo cows in order to improve farm reproductive management. Among the methods compared in this study (ultrasonography, progesterone, PAGs), pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) seem to be the best marker for predicting embryonic mortality between 25 and 40 days of gestation to be utilized as a diagnostic tool to improve reproductive management in buffalo farms. Abstract The aim of this work was to find the best strategy to diagnose pregnancy failures in buffalo. A total of 109 animals belonging to a buffalo herd subjected to a synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) program were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected at days 0, 14, 25, 28 and 40 after AI for the determination of progesterone (P4) and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) by the radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on day 25, 28 and 40 after AI to monitor pregnancy. The animals included in the data analysis were assigned ex post in pregnant (n = 50) and mortality (n = 12) groups. By ultrasonography, the predictive sign of mortality was the heartbeat. At day 25, the PAGs concentration was significant in predicting embryonic mortality with respect to ultrasonography and P4, at the cut-off of 1.1 ng/mL. At day 28, either PAGs, at a cut-off of 2.2 ng/mL, or ultrasonography, with no detection of heartbeat, were highly predictive of embryonic mortality. PAGs were the best marker (p < 0.05) for predicting embryonic mortality between 25 and 40 days of gestation in buffalo. Its utilization as a diagnostic tool can influence management decisions in order to improve farm reproductive management.
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Panasiewicz G, Lipka A, Majewska M, Bieniek-Kobuszewska M, Saveljev AP, Szafranska B. Identification of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein family (PAG) in the brown bear (Ursus arctos L.). Acta Histochem 2019; 121:240-247. [PMID: 30616842 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2018.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are abundant embryo-originated products expressed in the pre-placental trophoblast and, later, in the post-implantational chorionic epithelium of some mammalian species. This paper describes the identification and cellular immunolocalization of the chorionic PAG family in the discoidal-type placenta of the brown bear (Ursus arctos L. - Ua), in which the PAGs were named 'UaPAG-Ls'. The study used: 1) Western blot for total placental glycoproteins; and 2) cross-species heterologous double fluorescent immunohistochemistry (IHC) for cellular immune-localization of the PAGs. This is the first study reporting the identification and immunolocalization of the UaPAG-L family in placental cells during early pregnancy in the brown bear. Our Western analysis revealed a dominant mature 72 kDa UaPAG-L isoform was expressed in all Ua placentas during early pregnancy. Various other UaPAG-L isoforms (16-66 kDa) were also identified. Using IHC, the UaPAG-L proteins were localized to trophectodermal cells (TRD), where signal intensity resembled intense TRD proliferation within developing placenta. The data increases our general knowledge of PAG proteins localized in discoidal-type placenta during early pregnancy in the brown bear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Panasiewicz
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Lipka
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Niepodleglosci Str 44, 10-045 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Marta Majewska
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska Str 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Martyna Bieniek-Kobuszewska
- Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego Str 30, 10-229 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Alexander P Saveljev
- Department of Animal Ecology, Russian Research Institute of Game Management and Fur Farming, Preobrazhenskaya Str 79, 610000 Kirov, Russian Federation
| | - Bozena Szafranska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
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Barbato O, Guelfi G, Menchetti L, Brecchia G, de Sousa NM, Canali C, Grandoni F, Scatà MC, De Matteis G, Casano AB, Beckers JF, Barile VL. Investigation of PAG2 mRNA Expression in Water Buffalo Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes from Maternal Blood at the Peri-Implantation Period. Vet Sci 2019; 6:E8. [PMID: 30646632 PMCID: PMC6466188 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci6010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
: The main objective of this study was to assess PAG2 mRNA expression in maternal blood cells at the peri-implantation period in water buffalo; moreover, we wanted to evaluate the earliest time in which PAG-2 could be detected in maternal blood. Thirty-two lactating buffaloes artificially inseminated (AI) were utilized. Blood was collected at Days 0, 14, 18, 28, 40 after AI (AI = day 0). Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasound at Days 28 and 40 post AI. Out of 32 buffaloes, 14 were pregnant (P group) and 18 were not pregnant (NP group). The plasma PAG-2 threshold of 1.0 ng/mL in the P group was reached at day 40 post AI. PAG2 mRNA expression differed between the P and NP groups, and was either evaluated in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) or Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes (PMN), starting from day 14. However, both the estimated marginal means and multiple comparisons showed that PAG2 mRNA expression was higher in PMN than PBMC. In the present study, PAG-2 appeared in the blood (40 Days post AI), and an early expression of PAG2 mRNA at Day 14 post AI was also observed. Although further research is undoubtedly required, PAG2 mRNA in peripheral blood leukocytes could be using to better understand the role that PAGs play during pregnancy in buffalo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olimpia Barbato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Guelfi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Laura Menchetti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Brecchia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Noelita Melo de Sousa
- Laboratoires d'Endocrinologie Animale et de Reproduction, Faculté de Médicine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Claudio Canali
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Francesco Grandoni
- CREA Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria, Centro di ricerca Zootecnia e Acquacoltura, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy.
| | - Maria Carmela Scatà
- CREA Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria, Centro di ricerca Zootecnia e Acquacoltura, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy.
| | - Giovanna De Matteis
- CREA Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria, Centro di ricerca Zootecnia e Acquacoltura, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy.
| | - Anna Beatrice Casano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Jean François Beckers
- Laboratoires d'Endocrinologie Animale et de Reproduction, Faculté de Médicine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Vittoria Lucia Barile
- CREA Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria, Centro di ricerca Zootecnia e Acquacoltura, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy.
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Lotfan M, Choudhary S, Yadav ML, Kumar S, Singh S, Bathla S, Rawat P, Kaushik JK, Mohanty AK. Primary structures of different isoforms of buffalo pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (BuPAGs) during early pregnancy and elucidation of the 3-dimensional structure of the most abundant isoform BuPAG 7. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206143. [PMID: 30403702 PMCID: PMC6221303 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are expressed during pregnancy by the trophoectodermal cells of fetus. Presence of PAGs in dam's circulation has been widely used in pregnancy diagnosis. The present study reports the identification and characterization of different PAG isoforms in buffalo during early stages of pregnancy. The PAG mRNAs isolated from fetal cotyledons (Pregnancy stages: 45, 75 and 90 days) were successfully cloned in pJET1.2 vector and transformed in E. coli. A total of 360 random clones were sequenced and correlated with their stages of expression. A total of 12 isoforms namely, BuPAG 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 18 and one new isoform were identified. BuPAG 7 was found as the most abundant isoform in all three stages followed by BuPAG 18. Further, a large number of variants were found for most of these isoforms. Phylogenetic relationship of identified BuPAGs showed that BuPAG 2 belonged to an ancient group while other members clustered with modern group. Three-dimensional (3D) structure of BuPAG 7 was determined by homology modeling and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations which displayed a typical fold represented by other aspartic proteinase (AP) family members. Molecular docking of Pepstatin inhibitor with BuPAG 7 revealed to interact through various hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Various amino acid substitutions were observed in peptide-binding cleft of BuPAG 7. Superimposition of BuPAG 7 with homologous structures revealed the presence of a 35-41 amino acid long insertion (alpha helix connected by two loops) near the N- terminus which seems to be a unique feature of BuPAG 7 in AP family. This is the first report on identification and sequence characterization of PAG isoforms in buffalo with unique finding that these isoforms represent many transcript variants. We also report 3D structure of the most abundant isoform BuPAG 7 for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Lotfan
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Suman Choudhary
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Munna Lal Yadav
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Sudarshan Kumar
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Surender Singh
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Shveta Bathla
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Preeti Rawat
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Jai K. Kaushik
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Ashok K. Mohanty
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
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Wiedemann I, Krebs T, Momberg N, Knorr C, Tetens J. mRNA expression profiling in cotyledons reveals significant up-regulation of the two bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein genes boPAG-8 and boPAG-11 in early gestation. Vet Med Sci 2018; 4:341-350. [PMID: 30265452 PMCID: PMC6236128 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The multigene family of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) belongs to a group of aspartic proteases that are exclusively expressed by trophoblast cells in the placenta of even-toed ungulates. In Bovidae, 22 different PAG genes (boPAGs) with a wide range of temporal and spatial expression- and glycosylation patterns have been reported to date. In this study we describe the mRNA expression patterns using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for selected modern (boPAG-1, -9, -21) and ancient bovine PAGs (boPAG-2, -8, -10, -11, -12) in cotyledonary tissue. The highest mean expression was detected in boPAG-8 and lowest in boPAG-10 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, boPAG-8 and -11 were significantly greater expressed in early gestation compared with later pregnancy stages. The characterization of boPAG mRNA-expression levels gives important insights for further protein analyses which will be valuable information for the development of new pregnancy detection systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Wiedemann
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Tony Krebs
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Niklas Momberg
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Knorr
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jens Tetens
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
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Barbato O, Menchetti L, Sousa NM, Brecchia G, Malfatti A, Canali C, Beckers J, Barile VL. Correlation of two radioimmunoassay systems for measuring plasma pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins concentrations during early pregnancy and postpartum periods in water buffalo. Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 53:1483-1490. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.13294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olimpia Barbato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Laura Menchetti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Noelita M. Sousa
- Laboratory of Animal Endocrinology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Liege Liege Belgium
| | - Gabriele Brecchia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Alessandro Malfatti
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Camerino Camerino Italy
| | - Claudio Canali
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Jean‐Francois Beckers
- Laboratory of Animal Endocrinology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Liege Liege Belgium
| | - Vittoria L. Barile
- CREA Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture Monterotondo, Rome Italy
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Identification of Placental Aspartic Proteinase in the Eurasian Beaver ( Castor fiber L.). Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041229. [PMID: 29670018 PMCID: PMC5979379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspartic proteinases (AP) form a multigenic group widely distributed in various organisms and includes pepsins (pep), cathepsins D and E, pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) as well as plant, fungal, and retroviral proteinases. This study describes the transcript identification and expression localization of the AP within the discoid placenta of the Castor fiber. We identified 1257 bp of the AP cDNA sequence, encoding 391 amino acids (aa) of the polypeptide precursor composed of 16 aa signal peptide, 46 aa pro-piece, and 329 aa of the mature protein. Within the AP precursor, one site of potential N-glycosylation (NPS119–121) and two Asp residues (D) specific for the catalytic cleft of AP were identified (VLFDTGSSNLWV91–102 and GIVDTGTSLLTV277–288). The highest homology of the identified placental AP nucleotide and aa sequence was to mouse pepsinogen C (75.8% and 70.1%, respectively). Identified AP also shared high homology with other superfamily members: PAGs, cathepsins, and napsins. The AP identified in this study was named as pepsinogen/PAG-Like (pep/PAG-L). Diversified pep/PAG-L protein profiles with a dominant 58 kDa isoform were identified. Immune reactive signals of the pep/PAG-L were localized within the trophectodermal cells of the beaver placenta. This is the first report describing the placental AP (pep/PAG-L) in the C. fiber.
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Identification of Novel Placentally Expressed Aspartic Proteinase in Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18061227. [PMID: 28594357 PMCID: PMC5486050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
This study presents pioneering data concerning the human pregnancy-associated glycoprotein-Like family, identified in the genome, of the term placental transcriptome and proteome. RNA-seq allowed the identification of 1364 bp hPAG-L/pep cDNA with at least 56.5% homology with other aspartic proteinases (APs). In silico analyses revealed 388 amino acids (aa) of full-length hPAG-L polypeptide precursor, with 15 aa-signal peptide, 47 aa-blocking peptide and 326 aa-mature protein, and two Asp residues (D), specific for a catalytic cleft of the APs (VVFDTGSSNLWV91-102 and AIVDTGTSLLTG274-285). Capillary sequencing identified 9330 bp of the hPAG-L gene (Gen Bank Acc. No. KX533473), composed of nine exons and eight introns. Heterologous Western blotting revealed the presence of one dominant 60 kDa isoform of the hPAG-L amongst cellular placental proteins. Detection with anti-pPAG-P and anti-Rec pPAG2 polyclonals allowed identification of the hPAG-L proteins located within regions of chorionic villi, especially within the syncytiotrophoblast of term singleton placentas. Our novel data extend the present knowledge about the human genome, as well as placental transcriptome and proteome during term pregnancy. Presumably, this may contribute to establishing a new diagnostic tool for examination of some disturbances during human pregnancy, as well as growing interest from both scientific and clinical perspectives.
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Panasiewicz G, Bieniek-Kobuszewska M, Lipka A, Majewska M, Jedryczko R, Szafranska B. Novel effects of identified SNPs within the porcine Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein gene family (pPAGs) on the major reproductive traits in Hirschmann hybrid-line sows. Res Vet Sci 2017; 114:123-130. [PMID: 28371694 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This is the first study describing identification of SNPs within the multiple and polymorphic Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein gene family (PAGs) in the genome of the domestic pig (pPAGs). We identified pPAG-like (pPAG-L) genotypes in primiparous and multiparous farmed hybrid-line JSR Hirschmann (Hrn) sows (N=159), in which various novel associations with their phenotypes for the major reproductive traits have been discovered. Genomic DNA templates were isolated from the blood and different pPAG-L primers were used to amplify various regions by PCR. Electrophoretically-separated amplicons were selected, purified and sequenced. All identified SNPs were verified for possible pPAG2-L genotype associations with the major reproductive traits. In total, 196 SNPs were identified within the entire structure of the pPAG2-Ls, encompassing 9 exons and 8 (A-H) introns, resembling all aspartic proteinases. It was discovered that among all SNPs, one diplotype localized in exon 6 (657C>T/749G>C; pPAG2 ORF cDNA numbering; L34361) caused amino acid substitutions (Asp220→Asn and Ser250→Thr) in the polypeptide precursors and was associated with an increase in the number of live-born piglets (P≤0.05) in Hrn sows. In turn, co-localized SNP (504g>a; KF537535 numbering) in the intron F of the pPAG2-Ls, but only in the homozygotic genotype (gg), was associated with an increased number of live-born (P≤0.01) and weaned (P≤0.05) piglets in the Hrn sows. These results qualify the pPAG2-Ls as candidate genes of the main QTLs. The novel pPAG SNP profiles provide the basis for a diagnostic genotyping test required for early pre-selection of female/male piglets, presumably mainly useful in various breeding herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Panasiewicz
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
| | - Martyna Bieniek-Kobuszewska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland; Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Wojska Polskiego 30, 10-229 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Lipka
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - Marta Majewska
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Warszawska 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
| | | | - Bozena Szafranska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
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Identification of the pregnancy-associated glycoprotein family (PAGs) and some aspects of placenta development in the European moose ( Alces alces L.). Theriogenology 2016; 86:2119-2135. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Wallace RM, Pohler KG, Smith MF, Green JA. Placental PAGs: gene origins, expression patterns, and use as markers of pregnancy. Reproduction 2015; 149:R115-26. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are abundantly expressed products of the placenta of species within the Cetartiodactyla order (even-toed ungulates). They are restricted to this order and they are particularly numerous in the Bovidae. The PAGs exhibit a range of temporal and spatial expression patterns by the placental trophoblasts and probably represent a group of related proteins that perform a range of distinct functions in the epitheliochorial and synepitheliochorial placental forms. This review presents an overview of the origins of the PAGs, a summary of PAG expression patterns, and their use as markers of pregnancy status. Speculations about their putative role(s) in pregnancy are also presented.
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Bériot M, Tchimbou AF, Barbato O, Beckers JF, de Sousa NM. Identification of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins and alpha-fetoprotein in fallow deer (Dama dama) placenta. Acta Vet Scand 2014; 56:4. [PMID: 24410890 PMCID: PMC3896668 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-56-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper describes the isolation and characterization of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) from fetal cotyledonary tissue (FCT) and maternal caruncular tissue (MCT) collected from fallow deer (Dama dama) pregnant females. Proteins issued from FCT and MCT were submitted to affinity chromatographies by using Vicia villosa agarose (VVA) or anti-bovine PAG-2 (R#438) coupled to Sepharose 4B gel. Finally, they were characterized by SDS-PAGE and N-terminal microsequencing. RESULTS Four distinct fallow deer PAG (fdPAG) sequences were identified and submitted to Swiss-Prot database. Comparison of fdPAG with PAG sequences identified in other ruminant species exhibited 64 to 83% identity. Additionally, alpha-fetoprotein was identified in fetal and maternal tissues. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate the efficacy of VVA and bovine PAG-2 affinity chromatographies for the isolation of PAG molecules expressed in deer placenta. This is the first report giving four specific amino acid sequences of PAG isolated from feto-maternal junction (FCT and MCT) in the Cervidae family.
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Majewska M, Panasiewicz G, Szafranska B. Expression of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein family in the epitheliochorial placenta of two Camelidae species (C. dromedarius and C. bactrianus). Acta Histochem 2013; 115:669-76. [PMID: 23498309 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2013.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2012] [Revised: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This study describes placental morphology and immunolocalization of the placental pregnancy associated glycoprotein-like family (PAGs) identified in two selected taxa of Old-World camels of the Camelidae family: Camelus dromedarius (Cd) and Camelus bactrianus (Cb). Placental tissues of Cd from days 140-293 post-coitum (dpc), term (404 dpc); and of Cb from term (440 dpc) were examined. Histological staining (hematoxylin/eosin and propidium iodine) revealed the development of the placental structure, while chorionic folding increased the feto-placental surface during the progress of pregnancy. The camelid placenta during early pregnancy is similar to the diffuse epitheliochorial type, and during later stages of pregnancy resembles the synepitheliochorial (cotyledonary) type. Placental expression of the PAGs was detected (Alexa 488 - green) within camelid trophectoderm cells (TRD - chorionic epithelium as outer layer of embryonic cells) among all placental cells with nuclei stained by propidium iodide (red). The PAGs, identified in both Camelidae taxa, were named CbPAGs and CdPAGs. Placental CbPAG and CdPAG expression is restricted to the TRD cells, which are differentially developed throughout gestation. Cross-reactivity of polyvalent anti-pPAG polyclonals with the CbPAGs and CdPAGs revealed high structural similarities of the PAG-like epitopes in pigs and camels. This is the first study identifying PAG expression in chorionic cells of the camel placenta.
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Purification of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins from late-pregnancy Bubalus bubalis placentas and development of a radioimmunoassay for pregnancy diagnosis in water buffalo females. BMC Vet Res 2013; 9:89. [PMID: 23634647 PMCID: PMC3661400 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) were first described as placental antigens present in the blood serum of the mother soon after implantation. Here, we describe the purification of several pregnancy-associated glycoproteins from water buffalo placenta (wbPAGs). A specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed for early pregnancy diagnosis in buffalo species. Results Amino-terminal microsequencing of immunoreactive placental proteins allowed the identification of eleven wbPAGs sequences [Swiss-Prot accession numbers: P86369 to P86379]. Three polyclonal antisera (AS#858, AS#859 and AS#860) were raised in rabbits against distinct wbPAG fractions. A new RIA (RIA-860) was developed and used to distinguish between pregnant (n = 33) and non-pregnant (n = 26) water buffalo females. Conclusions Our results confirmed the multiplicity of PAG expression in buffalo placenta. In addition, the RIA-860 system was shown to be sensitive, linear, reproducible, accurate and specific in measuring PAG concentrations in buffalo plasma samples from Day 37 of gestation onwards.
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Ovarian and placental expression of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase during pregnancy in deer. Anim Reprod Sci 2012; 130:63-73. [PMID: 22277842 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2011] [Revised: 12/18/2011] [Accepted: 12/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The enzyme 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD) catalyzes the conversion of progesterone to its inactive form, 20α-hydroxyprogesterone. This enzyme has been shown to play a critical role in the regulation of luteal function in experimental animals. In this study, we cloned and expressed the gene encoding elk deer 20α-HSD from reproductive placental and ovarian tissues. PCR, 3'- and 5'-RACE, and northern blot analysis were performed for the cloning and characterization of deer 20α-HSD gene. We expressed recombinant deer 20α-HSD protein and used western blot analysis to determine protein expression levels in the placenta and ovary during pregnancy. The full cDNA sequence of 20α-HSD was used to clone an open reading frame encoding 323 amino acids and consisting of 1142 bp. The nucleotide sequence of deer 20α-HSD showed high homology with the sequences of the bovine (96%), goat (96%), and human (83%) 20α-HSD genes. 20α-HSD mRNA was strongly expressed in the placenta on days 30, 60, and 70 of pregnancy. A high level of the protein was also detected in the placenta but not in fetal skin tissue. The recombinant 20α-HSD protein produced in mammalian cells and bacterial systems had a molecular weight of approximately 37-kDa. The deer 20α-HSD protein signal was specifically localized in the basal part of the primary chorionic villi and chorionic stem villus of the placenta during early pregnancy. The 20α-HSD protein was also intensively localized in the larger luteal cells of the corpus luteum during pregnancy.
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Majewska M, Panasiewicz G, Szafranska B. Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) family localized in chorionic cells within the epitheliochorial/diffuse placenta of the alpaca (Lama pacos). Acta Histochem 2011; 113:570-7. [PMID: 20656339 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2010.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2010] [Revised: 06/09/2010] [Accepted: 06/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are abundant embryo-originated products expressed in the pre-placental trophoblast and later in the post-implantational chorionic epithelium of some ungulate species. This paper describes the cellular immunolocalization of the chorionic PAG family in the epitheliochorial placenta type of the alpaca (Lama pacos-Lp), in which the PAGs were named 'LpPAGs'. Placental Lp sections (5 μm) of different females near mid-pregnancy (150 days post coitum; dpc), advanced pregnancy (244-263 dpc) and late pregnancy (347 dpc) were used for cross-species (heterologous-ht) double fluorescent immunohistochemistry (htdF-IHC). The htdF-IHC was performed with primary rabbit polyvalent anti-porcine PAG polyclonals. The LpPAG immuno-complexes were visualized with secondary goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulins-conjugated with Alexa 488 fluorophore (green), among all nuclei of placental cells stained with propidium iodide (red). This is the first study reporting the immunolocalization of the LpPAG family identified by htdF-IHC at the feto/maternal interface during different pregnancy stages of the alpaca. The most dominant and strongest immune-positive LpPAG signals were found in the well-developed chorionic cell layer. Our htdF-IHC indicated relatively high epitope resemblance to that of the PAGs in camelids and pigs. These data increase our general knowledge of chorionic PAG localization during pregnancy-stage dependent development of the epitheliochorial diffuse placenta type in the alpaca.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Majewska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
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Telugu BPVL, Palmier MO, Van Doren SR, Green JA. An examination of the proteolytic activity for bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins 2 and 12. Biol Chem 2010; 391:259-270. [PMID: 20030586 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2010.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) represent a complex group of putative aspartic peptidases expressed exclusively in the placentas of species in the Artiodactyla order. The ruminant PAGs segregate into two classes: the 'ancient' and 'modern' PAGs. Some of the modern PAGs possess alterations in the catalytic center that are predicted to preclude their ability to act as peptidases. The ancient ruminant PAGs in contrast are thought to be peptidases, although no proteolytic activity has been described for these members. The aim of the present study was to investigate (1) if the ancient bovine PAGs (PAG-2 and PAG-12) have proteolytic activity, and (2) if there are any differences in activity between these two closely related members. Recombinant bovine PAG-2 and PAG-12 were expressed in a baculovirus expression system and the purified proteins were analyzed for proteolytic activity against a synthetic fluorescent cathepsin D/E substrate. Both proteins exhibited proteolytic activity with acidic pH optima. The k(cat)/K(m) for bovine PAG-2 was 2.7x10(5) m(-1) s(-1) and for boPAG-12 it was 6.8x10(4) m(-1) s(-1). The enzymes were inhibited by pepstatin A with a K(i) of 0.56 and 7.5 nm for boPAG-2 and boPAG-12, respectively. This is the first report describing proteolytic activity in PAGs from ruminant ungulates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhanu Prakash V L Telugu
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, 163 ASRC, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Current address: Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 245 LSC, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Mark O Palmier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, 117 Schweitzer Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Steven R Van Doren
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, 117 Schweitzer Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jonathan A Green
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, 163 ASRC, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Majewska M, Panasiewicz G, Szafranska B. Chromosomal assignment of porcine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein gene family. Anim Reprod Sci 2010; 117:127-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2008] [Revised: 04/15/2009] [Accepted: 04/27/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Abstract
In this study, the placental localization of PAG-like transcripts and genomic existence of PAG-like amplicons in new-world (Lp, Lama pacos, alpaca) and old-world camelids (Cb, Camelus bactrianus, bactrian; Cd, Camelus dromedarius; dromedary) are reported for the first time. Sections of Lp (150-347 days post coitum), Cd (43-90 cm crown-rump length) and Cb (term) placentas were used for heterologous (ht; cross-species) autoradiographic in situ hybridization (aISH) with single-stranded diagnostic (antisense) or control (sense) [alpha-(35)S]dATP-labeled 323 nt porcine PAG8 (pPAG8) cDNA probes produced by asymmetric PCRs. The aISH with antisense (35)S-pPAG8 probe identified camelid PAG-like (LpPAG, CbPAG and CdPAG) mRNA expression restricted to chorionic epithelium cells within placentas of camelids. In addition, genomic DNA (gDNA), isolated from placental sections were used as templates for camelid PAG-like gene amplicon production by PCR. Specificity of the obtained multiple camelid gDNA PAG-like amplicons was confirmed by double ht-Southern hybridizations with [alpha-(32)P]dATP-labeled 611 bp pPAG5 and pPAG10 double-stranded cDNA probes. The double ht-Southern hybridizations of camelid gDNA amplicons (with pPAG5 and -10 probes) allowed the identification of length-polymorphism of LpPAG, CbPAG and CdPAG genes, coding catalytically active and potentially inactive forms. Such an application of porcine PAG probes may be advantageous for future identification of still undiscovered PAG-like families in other eutherian species.
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Kiewisz J, Sousa NMD, Beckers J, Panasiewicz G, Gizejewski Z, Szafranska B. Identification of multiple pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) purified from the European bison (Eb; Bison bonasus L.) placentas. Anim Reprod Sci 2009; 112:229-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2008] [Revised: 04/11/2008] [Accepted: 04/23/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Telugu BPVL, Walker AM, Green JA. Characterization of the bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein gene family--analysis of gene sequences, regulatory regions within the promoter and expression of selected genes. BMC Genomics 2009; 10:185. [PMID: 19393060 PMCID: PMC2682831 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-10-185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2008] [Accepted: 04/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) belong to a large family of aspartic peptidases expressed exclusively in the placenta of species in the Artiodactyla order. In cattle, the PAG gene family is comprised of at least 22 transcribed genes, as well as some variants. Phylogenetic analyses have shown that the PAG family segregates into 'ancient' and 'modern' groupings. Along with sequence differences between family members, there are clear distinctions in their spatio-temporal distribution and in their relative level of expression. In this report, 1) we performed an in silico analysis of the bovine genome to further characterize the PAG gene family, 2) we scrutinized proximal promoter sequences of the PAG genes to evaluate the evolution pressures operating on them and to identify putative regulatory regions, 3) we determined relative transcript abundance of selected PAGs during pregnancy and, 4) we performed preliminary characterization of the putative regulatory elements for one of the candidate PAGs, bovine (bo) PAG-2. RESULTS From our analysis of the bovine genome, we identified 18 distinct PAG genes and 14 pseudogenes. We observed that the first 500 base pairs upstream of the translational start site contained multiple regions that are conserved among all boPAGs. However, a preponderance of conserved regions, that harbor recognition sites for putative transcriptional factors (TFs), were found to be unique to the modern boPAG grouping, but not the ancient boPAGs. We gathered evidence by means of Q-PCR and screening of EST databases to show that boPAG-2 is the most abundant of all boPAG transcripts. Finally, we provided preliminary evidence for the role of ETS- and DDVL-related TFs in the regulation of the boPAG-2 gene. CONCLUSION PAGs represent a relatively large gene family in the bovine genome. The proximal promoter regions of these genes display differences in putative TF binding sites, likely contributing to observed differences in spatial and temporal expression. We also discovered that boPAG-2 is the most abundant of all boPAG transcripts and provided evidence for the role of ETS and DDVL TFs in its regulation. These experiments mark the crucial first step in discerning the complex transcriptional regulation operating within the boPAG gene family.
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Autoimmunization of ewes against pregnancy-associated glycoproteins does not interfere with the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Animal 2009; 3:850-7. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731109004145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Telugu BPVL, Green JA. Characterization of the peptidase activity of recombinant porcine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein-2. J Biochem 2008; 144:725-32. [PMID: 18835827 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvn127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) belong to the aspartic peptidase family. They are expressed exclusively in trophoblasts of even-toed ungulates such as swine, cattle, sheep, etc. In pigs, two distinct PAG transcripts (and some variants) have been described. One of the transcripts, porcine PAG-1 (poPAG-1) may not be capable of acting as a peptidase. The second transcript, poPAG-2, possesses a conserved catalytic centre and has been predicted, but not shown, to have proteolytic activity. The thrust of this work was to test such a possibility. PoPAG-2 was expressed as a recombinant protein with an amino-terminal 'FLAG-tag' in a Baculoviral expression system. The expressed proteins were affinity purified by using an anti-FLAG antibody. The purified preparations were then analysed for proteolytic activity against a fluorescent substrate. Porcine PAG-2 had optimal proteolytic activity around pH 3.5. Against this substrate, it had a k(cat)/K(m) of 1.2 microM(-1) s(-1) and was inhibited by the aspartic peptidase inhibitor, pepstatin A, with a K(i) of 12.5 nM. Since the proteolytic activity of PAGs in the pig has now been established, the search for putative substrates to gain insight into the physiological role of PAGs will likely be the focus of future investigations.
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Majewska M, Panasiewicz G, Szafranska B, Gizejewski Z, Majewski M, Borkowski K. Cellular localisation of the pregnancy-associated glycoprotein family (PAGs) in the synepitheliochorial placenta of the European bison. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2008; 155:422-31. [PMID: 17854806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2007.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2007] [Revised: 07/19/2007] [Accepted: 07/20/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the cellular immuno-localisation of the PAG family in synepitheliochorial (cotyledonary) placenta of the European bison (Eb). Uteri were harvested from pregnant wild Eb (n=4; 45-150 days post coitum-dpc); and additionally from cattle (30, 45 dpc) and pigs (42 dpc)--both domestic species were used as positive controls for cellular PAG immunodetection. Placentas were sectioned, fixed, dehydrated and subjected to double fluorescent immunohistochemistry (dF-IHC) with the use of Alexa 488 fluorochrom (A488) and propidium iodide (PI). Native positive EbPAG signals were detected by heterologous (ht; cross-species) dF-IHC with primary rabbit anti-PAG polyclonals against native or recombinant porcine PAG antigens (anti-pPAG); then visualised with secondary anti-rabbit goat immunoglobulins--conjugated to A488. Our htdF-IHC indicated an unequivocal localisation to the mono- and bi-nuclear trophectoderm (chorionic epithelium) cells expressing the PAGs (A488-green) among all placental cells, in which PI (red) stained nuclei. This is the first paper reporting the EbPAG family expression examined by htdF-IHC at the feto-maternal interface in wild Pecoran species. The cross-reactivity of anti-pPAG polyclonals with the EbPAGs suggests that shared epitopes are present in these molecules. It seems that the EbPAG family, which is robustly expressed in mono- and bi-nucleated trophectoderm cells, is associated with events taking place during placenta development. Our study also provided a proficient ht-system to identify various PAGs that could be useful as prenatal protein markers for pregnancy diagnoses, which is essential for effective reproductive management of endangered mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Majewska
- Department of Animal Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A/222, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
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