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Chang C, He X, Di R, Wang X, Han M, Liang C, Chu M. Thyroid transcriptomic profiling reveals the differential regulation of lncRNA and mRNA related to prolificacy in small tail han sheep with FecB BB genotype. Anim Biotechnol 2024; 35:2312393. [PMID: 38421365 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2024.2312393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The thyroid gland is an important endocrine gland in animals that secretes thyroid hormones and acts on various organs throughout the body. lncRNAs are long non-coding RNAs that play an important role in animal reproduction; however, there is a lack of understanding of their expression patterns and potential roles in the thyroid gland of the Small Tail Han (STH) sheep. In this study, we used RNA-Seq technology to examine the transcriptome expression pattern of the thyroid from the luteal phase (LP) and follicular phase (FP) of FecB BB (MM) STH sheep. RESULTS We identified a total of 122 and 1287 differential expression lncRNAs (DELs) and differential expression mRNAs (DEGs), respectively, which were significantly differentially expressed. These DELs target genes and DEGs can be enriched in several signalling pathways related to the animal reproduction process. CONCLUSIONS The expression profiles of DELs and DEGs in thyroid glands provide a more comprehensive resource for elucidating the reproductive regulatory mechanisms of STH sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaoyun He
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Ran Di
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Miaoceng Han
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Chen Liang
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Mingxing Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
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2
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Parvin A, Erabi G, Mohammadpour D, Maleki-Kakelar H, Sadeghpour S, Pashaei MR, Taheri-Anganeh M, Ghasemnejad-Berenji H. Infertility: Focus on the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100925. [PMID: 39018753 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2024.100925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Infertility is a well-known problem that arises from a variety of reproductive diseases. Until now, researchers have tried various methods to restore fertility, including medication specific to the cause, hormone treatments, surgical removals, and assisted reproductive technologies. While these methods do produce results, they do not consistently lead to fertility restoration in every instance. The use of exosome therapy has significant potential in treating infertility in patients. This is because exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, which are different types of vesicles, play a crucial role in transferring bioactive molecules that aid in cell-to-cell communication. Reproductive fluids can transport a variety of molecular cargos, such as miRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, lipids, and DNA molecules. The percentage of these cargos in the fluids can be linked to their physiological and pathological status. EVs are involved in several physiological and pathological processes and offer interesting non-cellular therapeutic possibilities to treat infertility. EVs (extracellular vesicles) transplantation has been shown in many studies to be a key part of regenerating different parts of the reproductive system, including the production of oocytes and the start of sperm production. Nevertheless, the existing evidence necessitates testifying to the effectiveness of injecting EVs in resolving reproductive problems among humans. This review focuses on the current literature about infertility issues in both females and males, specifically examining the potential treatments involving extracellular vesicles (EVs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Parvin
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Gisou Erabi
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Donna Mohammadpour
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Hadi Maleki-Kakelar
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Sonia Sadeghpour
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Pashaei
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Hojat Ghasemnejad-Berenji
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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Bartková AR, Němcová L, Kinterová V, Radová D, Strejček F, Toralová T, Laurinčík J, Procházka R. Meiotic and developmental competence of growing pig oocytes derived from small antral follicles is enhanced in culture medium containing FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 (FLI medium). J Ovarian Res 2024; 17:54. [PMID: 38431654 PMCID: PMC10908066 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01360-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oocytes of large animal species isolated from small ovarian follicles (< 2 mm) are less competent to support early embryonic development after in vitro maturation and fertilization than their counterparts isolated from medium-sized and preovulatory follicles. This study aimed to assess the effect of a new maturation medium containing FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 (FLI medium) on the meiotic and developmental competence of pig cumulus-oocytes complexes (COCs) derived from the small and medium-sized follicles. METHODS The growing oocytes were isolated from 1 to 2 (small follicle; SF) and the fully-grown ones from 3 to 6 (large follicle; LF) mm follicles and matured in a control M199 medium with gonadotropins and EGF and the FLI medium enriched by the triplet of growth factors. The matured oocytes were parthenogenetically activated and cultured to the blastocyst stage. Chromatin configuration before and during the culture and MAP kinase activity were assessed in the oocytes. Finally, the expression of cumulus cell genes previously identified as markers of oocyte quality was assessed. RESULTS The maturation and blastocyst rates of oocytes gained from LF were significantly higher than that from SF in the control medium. In contrast, similar proportions of oocytes from LF and SF completed meiosis and developed to blastocysts when cultured in FLI. Most of the oocytes freshly isolated from SF possessed germinal vesicles with fine filaments of chromatin (GV0) or chromatin surrounding the nucleolus (GVI; 30%); the oocytes from LF were mainly in GVI (or GVII) exhibiting a few small lumps of chromatin beneath the nuclear membrane. When cultured in the FLI medium for 16 h, an acceleration of the course of maturation in oocytes both from SF and LF compared to the control medium was observed and a remarkable synchrony in the course of chromatin remodeling was noticed in oocytes from SF and LF. CONCLUSIONS This work demonstrates that the enrichment of culture medium by FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 can enhance the meiotic and developmental competence of not only fully-grown, but also growing pig oocytes and significantly thus expanding the number of oocytes available for various assisted reproductive technology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Rosenbaum Bartková
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology, Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Lucie Němcová
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology, Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic.
| | - Veronika Kinterová
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology, Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | | | - František Strejček
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Tereza Toralová
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology, Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Jozef Laurinčík
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Radek Procházka
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology, Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
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4
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Schall PZ, Latham KE. Predictive modeling of oocyte maternal mRNA features for five mammalian species reveals potential shared and species-restricted regulators during maturation. Physiol Genomics 2024; 56:9-31. [PMID: 37842744 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00048.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Oocyte maturation is accompanied by changes in abundances of thousands of mRNAs, many degraded and many preferentially stabilized. mRNA stability can be regulated by diverse features including GC content, codon bias, and motifs within the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) interacting with RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and miRNAs. Many studies have identified factors participating in mRNA splicing, bulk mRNA storage, and translational recruitment in mammalian oocytes, but the roles of potentially hundreds of expressed factors, how they regulate cohorts of thousands of mRNAs, and to what extent their functions are conserved across species has not been determined. We performed an extensive in silico cross-species analysis of features associated with mRNAs of different stability classes during oocyte maturation (stable, moderately degraded, and highly degraded) for five mammalian species. Using publicly available RNA sequencing data for germinal vesicle (GV) and MII oocyte transcriptomes, we determined that 3'-UTR length and synonymous codon usage are positively associated with stability, while greater GC content is negatively associated with stability. By applying machine learning and feature selection strategies, we identified RBPs and miRNAs that are predictive of mRNA stability, including some across multiple species and others more species-restricted. The results provide new insight into the mechanisms regulating maternal mRNA stabilization or degradation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Conservation across species of mRNA features regulating maternal mRNA stability during mammalian oocyte maturation was analyzed. 3'-Untranslated region length and synonymous codon usage are positively associated with stability, while GC content is negatively associated. Just three RNA binding protein motifs were predicted to regulate mRNA stability across all five species examined, but associated pathways and functions are shared, indicating oocytes of different species arrive at comparable physiological destinations via different routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Z Schall
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
- Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
| | - Keith E Latham
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
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Shen M, Wang M, Li D, Feng Y, Qu L, Wang J. microRNA transcriptome analysis of granulosa cells predicts that the Notch and insulin pathways affect follicular development in chickens. Theriogenology 2023; 212:140-147. [PMID: 37717517 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been documented to play critical roles in chicken reproduction. Granulosa cell (GC) development of the follicle is closely related to hierarchical follicle ordering, making it an important factor in determining laying performance. Thus, it is meaningful to mine follicular development-related miRNAs. To identify regulatory miRNAs and the biological mechanisms by which they control follicular development, we conducted small RNA sequencing of GCs isolated from prehierarchical follicles named small yellow follicle (SYFG), the smallest hierarchical follicle (F6G), and the largest hierarchical follicle (F1G). A total of 99, 196, and 110 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in SYFG.vs.F6G, SYFG.vs.F1G, and F6G.vs.F1G, respectively. Of these, 22 miRNAs, including miR-223, miR-103a, miR-449c-3p, and miR-203a, were ubiquitously identified as DEMs in three stages. Target gene prediction suggested that these miRNAs are associated with the MAPK, TGF-β, and Wnt signaling pathways, which are all associated with follicular development. The Notch and insulin signaling pathways were commonly enriched in all three comparisons. RT-qPCR analysis further indicated that the expression levels of PSEN2, which encodes an essential factor regulating Notch and insulin signaling, was significantly changed in SYFG, F6G, and F1G. The current study provides basic data and offers a new foundation for further exploration of the roles of miRNAs in follicular development in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manman Shen
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212100, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic Breeding and Molecular Design, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China; Poultry Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yangzhou, 225125, China.
| | - Mingzhu Wang
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212100, China.
| | - Dehui Li
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212100, China.
| | - Yuan Feng
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212100, China.
| | - Liang Qu
- Poultry Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yangzhou, 225125, China.
| | - Jinyu Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic Breeding and Molecular Design, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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Huang X, Li Z, Zhang L, Yang Y, Wang Y, Li S, Li G, Feng H, Yang X. miR-205-5p inhibits homocysteine-induced pulmonary microvascular endothelium dysfunction by targeting FOXO1. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1456-1466. [PMID: 37491880 PMCID: PMC10520487 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Homocysteine (Hcy) is a risk factor for multiple chronic diseases, and vascular endothelial cell injury has been regarded as the initiating step for this process. miRNAs are involved in Hcy-induced endothelial dysfunction, while the underlying mechanism and roles of miRNAs in pulmonary endothelial dysfunction induced by homocysteine are unknown. Here, we find that miR-205-5p alleviates pulmonary endothelial dysfunction by targeting FOXO1 in CBS +/‒ mice to protect against Hcy-induced pulmonary endothelial dysfunction. Mechanistically, we show that Hcy can lead to DNA hypermethylation of the miR-205-5p promoter due to the increased binding of DNMT1 to its promoter, which contributes to reduction of miR-205-5p expression. In summary, miR-205-5p promoter hypermethylation causes downregulation of miR-205-5p expression, resulting in a reduction in miR-205-5p binding to FOXO1 during homocysteine-induced pulmonary endothelial dysfunction. Our data indicate that miR-205-5p may be a potential therapeutic target against Hcy-induced pulmonary injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineSecond Affiliated Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (The First People′s Hospital of Yinchuan)Yinchuan750001China
| | - Zhen Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases ResearchNingxia Medical UniversityYinchuan750004China
- School of Basic Medical SciencesNingxia Medical UniversityYinchuan750004China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of PathologyPeople’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous RegionYinchuan750004China
| | - Yali Yang
- Department of PathologyGeneral Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan750004China
| | - Yanjia Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases ResearchNingxia Medical UniversityYinchuan750004China
| | - Sirui Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases ResearchNingxia Medical UniversityYinchuan750004China
| | - Guizhong Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases ResearchNingxia Medical UniversityYinchuan750004China
| | | | - Xiaoling Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases ResearchNingxia Medical UniversityYinchuan750004China
- School of Basic Medical SciencesNingxia Medical UniversityYinchuan750004China
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7
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Gad A, Murin M, Bartkova A, Kinterova V, Marcollova K, Laurincik J, Prochazka R. Small-extracellular vesicles and their microRNA cargo from porcine follicular fluids: the potential association with oocyte quality. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022; 13:82. [PMID: 35725584 PMCID: PMC9208166 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00723-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian follicular fluids (FFs) contain several kinds of regulatory factors that maintain a suitable microenvironment for oocyte development. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are among the factors that play essential roles in regulating follicle and oocyte development through their cargo molecules that include microRNAs (miRNAs). This study aimed to investigate small-EV (s-EV) miRNAs in porcine FFs and their potential association with oocyte quality. Methods Individual aspirated oocytes were stained with lissamine green B stain (LB), a vital stain for oocyte quality, and each oocyte was classified as high-quality (unstained; HQ) or low-quality (stained; LQ). FFs corresponding to oocytes were pooled together into HQ and LQ groups. Small-EVs were isolated from FFs, characterized, and their miRNA cargo was identified using the Illumina NovaSeq sequencing platform. Additionally, s-EVs from the HQ and LQ groups were utilized to investigate their effect on oocyte development after co-incubation during in vitro maturation. Results A total of 19 miRNAs (including miR-125b, miR-193a-5p, and miR-320) were significantly upregulated, while 23 (including miR-9, miR-206, and miR-6516) were downregulated in the HQ compared to the LQ group. Apoptosis, p53 signaling, and cAMP signaling were among the top pathways targeted by the elevated miRNAs in the HQ group while oocyte meiosis, gap junction, and TGF-beta signaling were among the top pathways targeted by the elevated miRNAs in the LQ group. The supplementation of small-EVs during maturation does not affect the oocyte developmental rates. However, LQ s-EVs increase the proportion of oocytes with homogeneous mitochondrial distribution and decrease the proportion of heterogeneous distribution. Conclusion Our findings indicated that FF-EVs contain different miRNA cargos associated with oocyte quality and could affect the mitochondrial distribution patterns during oocyte maturation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-022-00723-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Gad
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic.,Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| | - Matej Murin
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic.
| | - Alexandra Bartkova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic.,Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 94901, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Kinterova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Marcollova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Jozef Laurincik
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic.,Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 94901, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Radek Prochazka
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic
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8
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Luo X, Chen X, Lv Y, Han Y, Qu X, Zhang Y, Li X, Yu Y, Jin Y. MicroRNA-101 regulates oocyte maturation in vitro via targeting HAS2 in porcine cumulus cells. Theriogenology 2022; 187:119-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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9
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Kataruka S, Kinterova V, Horvat F, Kulmann MIR, Kanka J, Svoboda P. Physiologically relevant miRNAs in mammalian oocytes are rare and highly abundant. EMBO Rep 2021; 23:e53514. [PMID: 34866300 PMCID: PMC8811628 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
miRNAs, ˜22nt small RNAs associated with Argonaute (AGO) proteins, are important negative regulators of gene expression in mammalian cells. However, mammalian maternal miRNAs show negligible repressive activity and the miRNA pathway is dispensable for oocytes and maternal-to-zygotic transition. The stoichiometric hypothesis proposed that this is caused by dilution of maternal miRNAs during oocyte growth. As the dilution affects miRNAs but not mRNAs, it creates unfavorable miRNA:mRNA stoichiometry for efficient repression of cognate mRNAs. Here, we report that porcine ssc-miR-205 and bovine bta-miR-10b are exceptional miRNAs, which resist the diluting effect of oocyte growth and can efficiently suppress gene expression. Additional analysis of ssc-miR-205 shows that it has higher stability, reduces expression of endogenous targets, and contributes to the porcine oocyte-to-embryo transition. Consistent with the stoichiometric hypothesis, our results show that the endogenous miRNA pathway in mammalian oocytes is intact and that maternal miRNAs can efficiently suppress gene expression when a favorable miRNA:mRNA stoichiometry is established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhangini Kataruka
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Kinterova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Horvat
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Czech Republic.,Bioinformatics Group, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Jiri Kanka
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Svoboda
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Czech Republic
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10
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Esfandyari S, Elkafas H, Chugh RM, Park HS, Navarro A, Al-Hendy A. Exosomes as Biomarkers for Female Reproductive Diseases Diagnosis and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042165. [PMID: 33671587 PMCID: PMC7926632 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-cell communication is an essential mechanism for the maintenance and development of various organs, including the female reproductive system. Today, it is well-known that the function of the female reproductive system and successful pregnancy are related to appropriate follicular growth, oogenesis, implantation, embryo development, and proper fertilization, dependent on the main regulators of cellular crosstalk, exosomes. During exosome synthesis, selective packaging of different factors into these vesicles happens within the originating cells. Therefore, exosomes contain both genetic and proteomic data that could be applied as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in pregnancy-associated disorders or placental functions. In this context, the present review aims to compile information about the potential exosomes with key molecular cargos that are dysregulated in female reproductive diseases which lead to infertility, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure (POF), Asherman syndrome, endometriosis, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and preeclampsia, as well as signaling pathways related to the regulation of the reproductive system and pregnancy outcome during these pathological conditions. This review might help us realize the etiology of reproductive dysfunction and improve the early diagnosis and treatment of the related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Esfandyari
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.E.); (H.E.); (R.M.C.)
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Hoda Elkafas
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.E.); (H.E.); (R.M.C.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) Formally, (NODCAR), Cairo 35521, Egypt
| | - Rishi Man Chugh
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.E.); (H.E.); (R.M.C.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Hang-soo Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (H.-s.P.); (A.N.)
| | - Antonia Navarro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (H.-s.P.); (A.N.)
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (H.-s.P.); (A.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-773-832-0742
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11
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Gad A, Murin M, Nemcova L, Bartkova A, Laurincik J, Procházka R. Inhibition of miR-152 during In Vitro Maturation Enhances the Developmental Potential of Porcine Embryos. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10122289. [PMID: 33291523 PMCID: PMC7761803 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary MiR-152 is a highly conserved miRNA across different species and plays a role in the regulation of cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. However, the exact role of miR-152 in oocyte and embryo development is not yet known. In this study, we specifically manipulated the expression level of miR-152 in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and monitored their developmental competence until the blastocyst stage. We mainly found that a suppressed expression of miR-152 during oocyte maturation significantly improved the blastocyst rate. Our results indicate that this negative correlation between miR-152 during oocyte maturation and the blastocyst rate in pigs could be through targeting IGF system components during oocyte development. These results provide more insights into the role of miRNAs during oocyte and embryonic development that could improve the in vitro production system for mammalian embryos. Abstract Oocyte developmental competence is regulated by various mechanisms and molecules including microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the functions of many of these miRNAs in oocyte and embryo development are still unclear. In this study, we managed to manipulate the expression level of miR-152 during oocyte maturation to figure out its potential role in determining the developmental competence of porcine oocytes. The inhibition (Inh) of miR-152 during oocyte maturation does not affect the MII and cleavage rates, however it significantly enhances the blastocyst rate compared to the overexpression (OvExp) and control groups. Pathway analysis identified several signaling pathways (including PI3K/AKT, TGFβ, Hippo, FoxO, and Wnt signaling) that are enriched in the predicted target genes of miR-152. Gene expression analysis revealed that IGF1 was significantly up-regulated in the Inh group and downregulated in the OvExp group of oocytes. Moreover, IGF1R was significantly upregulated in the Inh oocyte group compared to the control one and IGFBP6 was downregulated in the Inh oocyte group compared to the other groups. Blastocysts developed from the OvExp oocytes exhibited an increase in miR-152 expression, dysregulation in some quality-related genes, and the lowest rate of blastocyst formation. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a negative correlation between miR-152 expression level and blastocyst rate in pigs. This correlation could be through targeting IGF system components during oocyte development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Gad
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic; (M.M.); (L.N.); (A.B.); (J.L.); (R.P.)
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
- Correspondence:
| | - Matej Murin
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic; (M.M.); (L.N.); (A.B.); (J.L.); (R.P.)
| | - Lucie Nemcova
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic; (M.M.); (L.N.); (A.B.); (J.L.); (R.P.)
| | - Alexandra Bartkova
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic; (M.M.); (L.N.); (A.B.); (J.L.); (R.P.)
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 94901 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Laurincik
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic; (M.M.); (L.N.); (A.B.); (J.L.); (R.P.)
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 94901 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Radek Procházka
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic; (M.M.); (L.N.); (A.B.); (J.L.); (R.P.)
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12
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Kataruka S, Modrak M, Kinterova V, Malik R, Zeitler DM, Horvat F, Kanka J, Meister G, Svoboda P. MicroRNA dilution during oocyte growth disables the microRNA pathway in mammalian oocytes. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:8050-8062. [PMID: 32609824 PMCID: PMC7430632 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ubiquitous small RNAs guiding post-transcriptional gene repression in countless biological processes. However, the miRNA pathway in mouse oocytes appears inactive and dispensable for development. We propose that marginalization of the miRNA pathway activity stems from the constraints and adaptations of RNA metabolism elicited by the diluting effects of oocyte growth. We report that miRNAs do not accumulate like mRNAs during the oocyte growth because miRNA turnover has not adapted to it. The most abundant miRNAs total tens of thousands of molecules in growing (∅ 40 μm) and fully grown (∅ 80 μm) oocytes, a number similar to that observed in much smaller fibroblasts. The lack of miRNA accumulation results in a 100-fold lower miRNA concentration in fully grown oocytes than in somatic cells. This brings a knock-down-like effect, where diluted miRNAs engage targets but are not abundant enough for significant repression. Low-miRNA concentrations were observed in rat, hamster, porcine and bovine oocytes, arguing that miRNA inactivity is not mouse-specific but a common mammalian oocyte feature. Injection of 250,000 miRNA molecules was sufficient to restore reporter repression in mouse and porcine oocytes, suggesting that miRNA inactivity comes from low-miRNA abundance and not from some suppressor of the pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhangini Kataruka
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Modrak
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Kinterova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21 Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Malik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela M Zeitler
- RNA Biology, Biochemistry Center Regensburg, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Filip Horvat
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic.,Bioinformatics Group, Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jiri Kanka
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21 Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Gunter Meister
- RNA Biology, Biochemistry Center Regensburg, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Petr Svoboda
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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13
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Lee SH, Saadeldin IM. Exosomes as a Potential Tool for Supporting Canine Oocyte Development. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10111971. [PMID: 33121043 PMCID: PMC7693116 DOI: 10.3390/ani10111971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary To date, extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, have markedly gained attention in scientific research because of their physiological homogeneity as well as stability for transporting regulatory molecules to recipient cells. Recently, it has been shown that exosomes impact gametes and embryo development in several mammalian species; however, there is still scant information on the physiological effects of exosomes on the canine reproduction system. In this regard, we elucidate the possible roles of exosomes involvement in oviduct and cumulus-oocyte complexes mutual communications and how oviduct regulates their development via molecular signaling pathways. Abstract The canine oviduct is a unique reproductive organ where the ovulated immature oocytes complete their maturation, while the other mammals ovulate matured gametes. Due to their peculiar reproductive characteristics, the in vitro maturation of dog oocytes is still not wellestablished compared with other mammals. Investigations of the microenvironment conditions in the oviductal canal are required to establish a reliable in vitro maturation system in the dog. Previous studies have suggested that the oviduct and its derivatives play a key role in improving fertilization as well as embryo development. In particular, the biological function of oviduct-derived exosomes on sperm and early embryo development has been investigated in porcine, bovine, and murine species. However, the information about their functions on canine cumulus-oocyte complexes is still elusive. Recent canine reproductive studies demonstrated how oviduct-derived extracellular vesicles such as microvesicles and exosomes interact with oocyte-cumulus complexes and how they can play roles in regulating canine cumulus/oocyte communications. In this review, we summarize the physiological characteristics of canine oviduct-derived exosomes and their potential effects on cumulus cells development as well as oocyte in vitro maturation via molecular signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok Hee Lee
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Islam M. Saadeldin
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 44511, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
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14
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Gebremedhn S, Gad A, Aglan HS, Laurincik J, Prochazka R, Salilew-Wondim D, Hoelker M, Schellander K, Tesfaye D. Extracellular vesicles shuttle protective messages against heat stress in bovine granulosa cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15824. [PMID: 32978452 PMCID: PMC7519046 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72706-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated summer temperature is reported to be the leading cause of stress in dairy and beef cows, which negatively affects various reproductive functions. Follicular cells respond to heat stress (HS) by activating the expression of heat shock family proteins (HSPs) and other antioxidants. HS is reported to negatively affect the bi-directional communication between the follicular cells and the oocyte, which is partly mediated by follicular fluid extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from surrounding cells. As carriers of bioactive molecules (DNA, RNA, protein, and lipids), the involvement of EVs in mediating the stress response in follicular cells is not fully understood. Here we used an in vitro model to decipher the cellular and EV-coupled miRNAs of bovine granulosa cells in response to HS. Moreover, the protective role of stress-related EVs against subsequent HS was assessed. For this, bovine granulosa cells from smaller follicles were cultured in vitro and after sub-confluency, cells were either kept at 37 °C or subjected to HS (42 °C). Results showed that granulosa cells exposed to HS increased the accumulation of ROS, total oxidized protein, apoptosis, and the expression of HSPs and antioxidants, while the viability of cells was reduced. Moreover, 14 and 6 miRNAs were differentially expressed in heat-stressed granulosa cells and the corresponding EVs, respectively. Supplementation of stress-related EVs in cultured granulosa cells has induced adaptive response to subsequent HS. However, this potential was not pronounced when the cells were kept under 37 °C. Taking together, EVs generated from granulosa cells exposed to HS has the potential to shuttle bioactive molecules to recipient cells and make them robust to subsequent HS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Gebremedhn
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 1351 Rampart Rd, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.,Animal Breeding and Husbandry Group, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Animal, Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Ahmed Gad
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic.,Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hoda Samir Aglan
- Animal Breeding and Husbandry Group, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jozef Laurincik
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic.,Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Radek Prochazka
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Dessie Salilew-Wondim
- Animal Breeding and Husbandry Group, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Hoelker
- Animal Breeding and Husbandry Group, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Karl Schellander
- Animal Breeding and Husbandry Group, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dawit Tesfaye
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 1351 Rampart Rd, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA. .,Animal Breeding and Husbandry Group, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. .,Department of Animal, Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
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15
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Identification of transcriptome differences in goat ovaries at the follicular phase and the luteal phase using an RNA-Seq method. Theriogenology 2020; 158:239-249. [PMID: 32987289 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The ovaries, the main female reproductive organs, directly mediate ovulation and reproductive hormone secretion. These complex physiological processes are regulated by multiple genes and pathways. However, there is a lack of research on goat ovaries, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the signaling pathways remain unclear. In this study, Illumina HiSeq 4000 sequencing was used to sequence the transcriptomes of goat ovaries. The expression patterns of differentially expressed mRNAs in goat ovaries at both the follicular and luteal phases were determined by bioinformatics analysis. A total of 1,122, 014, 112 clean reads were obtained, and 3770 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified for further analysis. There were 1727 and 2043 upregulated mRNAs in the luteal phase and follicular phase, respectively. According to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses, some mRNAs that were highly expressed in ovaries during the luteal phase, such as HSD17B7, 3BHSD, and SRD5A2, may be related to the synthesis of progesterone. In addition, some mRNAs that were highly expressed in ovaries during the follicular phase, such as RPL12, RPS13 and RPL10, are related to the growth and maturation of oocytes. Taken together, the findings of this study provide genome-wide mRNA expression profiles for goat ovaries at the follicular and luteal phases and identify mRNAs associated with goat hormone secretion and follicular development. In addition, this study provides a theoretical basis for further investigation of goat reproductive regulation.
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16
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Gad A, Nemcova L, Murin M, Kinterova V, Kanka J, Laurincik J, Benc M, Pendovski L, Prochazka R. Global transcriptome analysis of porcine oocytes in correlation with follicle size. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 87:102-114. [PMID: 31736195 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although our knowledge regarding oocyte quality and development has improved significantly, the molecular mechanisms that regulate and determine oocyte developmental competence are still unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify and analyze the transcriptome profiles of porcine oocytes derived from large or small follicles using RNA high-throughput sequencing technology. RNA libraries were constructed from oocytes of large (LO; 3-6 mm) or small (SO; 1.5-1.9 mm) ovarian follicles and then sequenced in an Illumina HiSeq4000. Transcriptome analysis showed a total of 14,557 genes were commonly detected in both oocyte groups. Genes related to the cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, and quality were among the top highly expressed genes in both groups. Differential expression analysis revealed 60 up- and 262 downregulated genes in the LO compared with the SO group. BRCA2, GPLD1, ZP3, ND3, and ND4L were among the highly abundant and highly significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The ontological classification of DEGs indicated that protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum was the top enriched pathway. In addition, biological processes related to cell growth and signaling, gene expression regulations, cytoskeleton, and extracellular matrix organization were among the highly enriched processes. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the global transcriptome changes and the abundance of specific transcripts in porcine oocytes in correlation with follicle size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Gad
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic.,Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Lucie Nemcova
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Matej Murin
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Kinterova
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Kanka
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Jozef Laurincik
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic.,Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Michal Benc
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic.,Biology of Reproduction Department, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Uhrineves, Czech Republic
| | - Lazo Pendovski
- Department of Functional Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
| | - Radek Prochazka
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
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