Expression and localization of SerpinB11 in mouse uteri during peri-implantation and the estrous cycle

Dynamic regulation of the transcriptome and proteome of the equine embryo during maternal recognition of pregnancy

During initial maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP), the equine embryo displays a series of unique events characterized by rapid blastocyst expansion, secretion of a diverse array of molecules, and transuterine migration to interact with the uterine surface. Up to date, the intricate transcriptome and proteome changes of the embryo underlying these events have not been critically studied in horses. Thus, the objective of this study was to perform an integrative transcriptomic (including mRNA, miRNAs, and other small non-coding RNAs) and proteomic analysis of embryos collected from days 10 to 13 of gestation. The results revealed dynamic transcriptome profiles with a total of 1311 differentially expressed genes, including 18 microRNAs (miRNAs). Two main profiles for mRNAs and miRNAs were identified, one with higher expression in embryos ≤5 mm and the second with higher expression in embryos ≥7 mm. At the protein level, similar results were obtained, with 259 differentially abundant proteins between small and large embryos. Overall, the findings demonstrated fine-tuned transcriptomic and proteomic regulations in the developing embryo associated with embryo growth. The identification of specific regulation of mRNAs, proteins, and miRNAs on days 12 and 13 of gestation suggested these molecules as pivotal for embryo development and as involved in MRP, and in establishment of pregnancy in general. In addition, the results revealed new insights into prostaglandin synthesis by the equine embryo, miRNAs and genes potentially involved in modulation of the maternal immune response, regulation of endometrial receptivity and of late implantation in the mare.

Proteomic analysis of individual giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, growth retardants

"Iron prawn" is a condition of severe growth retardation that fishers call. The giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) is a commercially important species contains high protein content and functional nutrients. However, no proteomic information is available for this species. We performed the shotgun 2DLC-MS/MS proteomic analysis of the total protein from "iron prawn". Total 19,758 peptides corresponding to 2613 high-confidence proteins were identified. These proteins range in size from 40 to 70 kDa. KEGG analysis revealed that the largest group consisting total 102 KEGG pathway proteins comparing the "iron prawn" with the normal prawn. Additionally, 7, 11, 1, 6, and 5 commercially important enzymes were found in the eyestalk, liver, muscle, ovary, and testis, respectively. The functions of these differently expressed enzymes include immune system action against pathogens, muscle contraction, digestive system metabolism, cell differentiation, migration, and apoptosis in the severe growth retardation of "iron prawn". Our work provides insight into the understanding of the formation mechanism of "iron prawn".

Phenotypic and genomic relationships between vulva score categories and reproductive performance in first-parity sows

Background

One of the biggest challenges in the swine industry is to increase female reproductive efficiency. Recently, vulva score categories (VSC), assessed prior to puberty, has been proposed as an indicator trait of efficient reproductive performance in sows. The objective of this study was to validate the use of VSC as an indicator trait for reproductive performance, and to perform genetic and genomic analyses for VSC.

Methods

The phenotypic relationship of VSC, using a three-point scale: small (VSC-S), medium (VSC-M), and large (VSC-L), on reproductive performance was evaluated on three farms. VSC was measured at 15 weeks of age, for farms 1 and 2, and at 14 weeks of age for farm 3 on 3981 Yorkshire gilts, in which 1083 had genotypes (~ 50 K SNPs). Genetic parameters for VSC with reproductive traits were estimated using ssGBLUP. A Genome-wide association study (GWAS) for VSC was performed using BayesB.

Results

For the phenotypic analysis of VSC across datasets, differences in performance were identified there was a significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) for the interaction between Farm and VSC for total number dead (TND), and a trend (P < 0.10) for total number born (TNB). There were significant (P ≤ 0.05) pre-defined contrasts of VSC-S versus VSC-M + L on TNB, number born alive (NBA), TND, number of stillborn (NSB), and number of mummies (MUM). Heritability estimates for VSC as a categorical trait (VSCc) and a quantitative trait (VSCq) were 0.40 ± 0.02 and 0.83 ± 0.02, respectively, for across farm, 0.13 ± 0.07 and 0.20 ± 0.10, respectively, for Farm1, 0.07 ± 0.07 and 0.09 ± 0.09, respectively, for Farm2, and 0.20 ± 0.03 and 0.34 ± 0.05, respectively, for Farm3. For across farms, favorable genetic correlations estimates were found for TNB (0.28 ± 0.19) and NBA (0.26 ± 0.17). Within farms, moderate genetic correlations between VSC with reproductive traits were found for TNB (0.61 ± 0.47) and MUM (0.69 ± 0.47) for farm 1, for number of services until first farrow (NS; 0.69 ± 0.38) and unique service with successful first farrow (SFS; − 0.71 ± 0.38) for farm 3. Multiple genomic regions associated with VSC_c were identified. Of these, a QTL located on chromosome 3 at 33–34 Mb accounted for about 7.1% of the genetic variance for VSC_c and VSC_q. This region harbors the gene PRM1 that has been associated with early embryonic development in pigs.

Conclusions

The results support potential of VSC for improved reproductive efficiency on first-parity performance, but the results might depend on the interaction between environmental factors and VSC, as well as potentially additive genetics.

Eupatilin Promotes Cell Death by Calcium Influx through ER-Mitochondria Axis with SERPINB11 Inhibition in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related mortality. The anticancer effect of eupatilin, a family of flavonoids, is known in many cancer types, but it is unclear what mechanism it plays in ovarian cancer. In this study, eupatilin promoted cell death of ovarian cancer cells by activating caspases, cell cycle arrest, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, calcium influx, disruption of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–mitochondria axis with SERPINB11 inhibition, and downregulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Additionally, eupatilin-reduced SERPINB11 expression enhanced the effect of conventional chemotherapeutic agents against ovarian cancer cell progression. Cotreatment with siSERPINB11 and eupatilin increased calcium-ion-dependent apoptotic activity in ovarian cancer cells. Although there were no significant toxic effects of eupatilin on embryos, eupatilin completely inhibited tumorigenesis in a zebrafish xenograft model. In addition, eupatilin suppressed angiogenesis in zebrafish transgenic models. Collectively, downregulating SERPINB11 with eupatilin against cancer progression may improve therapeutic activity.

Reference gene selection for real-time quantitative PCR analysis on ovarian cryopreservation by vitrification in mice

PURPOSE

To ensure the correct interpretation of the results of quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) from ovarian tissue cryopreserved by vitrification, it is critical to normalize expression levels to a reference gene with stable messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the vitrified/warmed ovarian tissue. The aim of this work was to identify suitable reference genes for qRT-PCR analysis during ovarian cryopreservation by vitrification.

METHODS

GeNorm, NormFinder, comparative Delta-CT, and BestKeeper were used to analyze the expression and stability of the 14 reference genes GAPDH, ABL1, ACTB, CDKN1A, GPER, GUSB, HPRT1, HSP90AB1, IPO8, PPIA, RPL4, RPL30, TBP, and UPAR.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that ACTB and RPL4 were relatively stable reference genes in vitrified/warmed ovaries.