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Dsilva P, Pai P, Shetty MG, Babitha KS. The role of histone deacetylases in embryonic development. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:14-26. [PMID: 36534913 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23659] [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: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The basic units of chromatin are nucleosomes, that are made up of DNA wrapped around histone cores. Histone lysine residue is a common location for posttranslational modifications, with acetylation being the second most prevalent. Histone acetyltransferases (HATs/KATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs/KDACs) regulate histone acetylation, which is important in gene expression control. HDACs/KDACs regulate gene expressions through the repression of the transcription machinery. HDAC/KDAC isoforms play a major role during various stages of embryo development and neurogenesis. In specific, class I and II HDACs/KDACs are involved in cardiac muscle differentiation and development. An insight into different pathways and genes associated with embryonic development, the effect of HDAC/KDAC activity during the embryonic stem cell differentiation, preimplantation, embryo development, gastrulation, and the role of different HDAC/KDAC inhibitors during the process of embryogenesis is summarized in the present review article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Dsilva
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Padmini Pai
- Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Manasa Gangadhar Shetty
- Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Kampa S Babitha
- Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
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Toralova T, Kinterova V, Chmelikova E, Kanka J. The neglected part of early embryonic development: maternal protein degradation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3177-3194. [PMID: 32095869 PMCID: PMC11104927 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03482-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The degradation of maternally provided molecules is a very important process during early embryogenesis. However, the vast majority of studies deals with mRNA degradation and protein degradation is only a very little explored process yet. The aim of this article was to summarize current knowledge about the protein degradation during embryogenesis of mammals. In addition to resuming of known data concerning mammalian embryogenesis, we tried to fill the gaps in knowledge by comparison with facts known about protein degradation in early embryos of non-mammalian species. Maternal protein degradation seems to be driven by very strict rules in terms of specificity and timing. The degradation of some maternal proteins is certainly necessary for the normal course of embryonic genome activation (EGA) and several concrete proteins that need to be degraded before major EGA have been already found. Nevertheless, the most important period seems to take place even before preimplantation development-during oocyte maturation. The defects arisen during this period seems to be later irreparable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Toralova
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Kinterova
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Libechov, Czech Republic.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Eva Chmelikova
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Kanka
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Libechov, Czech Republic
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3
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Abstract
Development of assisted reproductive technologies has been driven by the goals of reducing the incidence of infertility, increasing the number of offspring from genetically elite animals, facilitating genetic manipulation, aiding preservation and long-distance movement of germplasm, and generating research material. Superovulation is associated with reduced fertilization rate and alterations in endometrial function. In vitro production of embryos can have a variety of consequences. Most embryos produced in vitro are capable of establishing pregnancy and developing into healthy neonatal animals. However, in vitro production is associated with reduced ability to develop to the blastocyst stage, increased incidence of failure to establish pregnancy, placental dysfunction, and altered fetal development. Changes in the developmental program mean that some consequences of being produced in vitro can extend into adult life. Reduced competence of the embryo produced in vitro to develop to the blastocyst stage is caused largely by disruption of events during oocyte maturation and fertilization. Conditions during embryo culture can affect embryo freezability and competence to establish pregnancy after transfer. Culture conditions, including actions of embryokines, can also affect the postnatal phenotype of the resultant progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0910, USA;
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4
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Qu P, Luo S, Du Y, Zhang Y, Song X, Yuan X, Lin Z, Li Y, Liu E. Extracellular vesicles and melatonin benefit embryonic develop by regulating reactive oxygen species and 5-methylcytosine. J Pineal Res 2020; 68:e12635. [PMID: 32012354 PMCID: PMC7154726 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Embryo culture conditions are crucial as they can affect embryo quality and even offspring. Oviductal extracellular vesicles (EVs) long been considered a major factor influencing interactions between the oviduct and embryos, and thus its absence is associated with inferior embryonic development in in vitro culture. Herein, we demonstrated that melatonin is present in oviduct fluids and oviduct fluid-derived EVs. Addition of either EVs (1.87 × 1011 particles/mL) or melatonin (340 ng/mL) led to a significant downregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), as well as an increase in the blastocyst rate of embryos, which was inhibited by the addition of luzindole-a melatonin receptor agonist. A combination of EVs (1.87 × 1010 particles/mL) and melatonin (at 34.3 pg/mL) led to the same results as well as a significant decrease in the apoptosis index and increase in the inner cell mass (ICM)/trophectoderm (TE) index. These results suggest that an EV-melatonin treatment benefits embryonic development. Our findings provide insights into the role of EVs and melatonin during cell communication and provide new evidence of the communication between embryos and maternal oviduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiang Qu
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Shiwei Luo
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Yue Du
- NDCLSRadcliff Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Yanru Zhang
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Xiaojie Song
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Xuetao Yuan
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Zujie Lin
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Yuchen Li
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Enqi Liu
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
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5
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Bauersachs S, Mermillod P, Almiñana C. The Oviductal Extracellular Vesicles' RNA Cargo Regulates the Bovine Embryonic Transcriptome. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041303. [PMID: 32075098 PMCID: PMC7072903 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oviductal extracellular vesicles (oEVs) are emerging as key players in the gamete/embryo–oviduct interactions that contribute to successful pregnancy. Various positive effects of oEVs on gametes and early embryos have been found in vitro. To determine whether these effects are associated with changes of embryonic gene expression, the transcriptomes of embryos supplemented with bovine fresh (FeEVs) or frozen (FoEVs) oEVs during in vitro culture compared to controls without oEVs were analyzed by low-input RNA sequencing. Analysis of RNA-seq data revealed 221 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between FoEV treatment and control, 67 DEGs for FeEV and FoEV treatments, and minor differences between FeEV treatment and control (28 DEGs). An integrative analysis of mRNAs and miRNAs contained in oEVs obtained in a previous study with embryonic mRNA alterations pointed to direct effects of oEV cargo on embryos (1) by increasing the concentration of delivered transcripts; (2) by translating delivered mRNAs to proteins that regulate embryonic gene expression; and (3) by oEV-derived miRNAs which downregulate embryonic mRNAs or modify gene expression in other ways. Our study provided the first high-throughput analysis of the embryonic transcriptome regulated by oEVs, increasing our knowledge on the impact of oEVs on the embryo and revealing the oEV RNA components that potentially regulate embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Bauersachs
- Genetics and Functional Genomics, VetSuisse Faculty Zurich, University of Zurich, 8315 Lindau (ZH), Switzerland;
| | - Pascal Mermillod
- UMR85 PRC, INRA, CNRS 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, 37380 Nouzilly, France;
| | - Carmen Almiñana
- Genetics and Functional Genomics, VetSuisse Faculty Zurich, University of Zurich, 8315 Lindau (ZH), Switzerland;
- UMR85 PRC, INRA, CNRS 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, 37380 Nouzilly, France;
- Correspondence:
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Afanassieff M, Perold F, Bouchereau W, Cadiou A, Beaujean N. Embryo-derived and induced pluripotent stem cells: Towards naive pluripotency and chimeric competency in rabbits. Exp Cell Res 2020; 389:111908. [PMID: 32057751 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Both embryo-derived (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines have been established in rabbit. They exhibit the essential characteristics of primed pluripotency. In this review, we described their characteristic features at both molecular and functional levels. We also described the attempts to reprogram rabbit pluripotent stem cells (rbPSCs) toward the naive state of pluripotency using methods established previously to capture this state in rodents and primates. In the last section, we described and discussed our current knowledge of rabbit embryo development pertaining to the mechanisms of early lineage segregation. We argued that the molecular signature of naive-state pluripotency differs between mice and rabbits. We finally discussed some of the key issues to be addressed for capturing the naive state in rbPSCs, including the generation of embryo/PSC chimeras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marielle Afanassieff
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, INRAE, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, U1208, USC1361, F-69500, Bron, France.
| | - Florence Perold
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, INRAE, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, U1208, USC1361, F-69500, Bron, France
| | - Wilhelm Bouchereau
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, INRAE, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, U1208, USC1361, F-69500, Bron, France
| | - Antoine Cadiou
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, INRAE, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, U1208, USC1361, F-69500, Bron, France
| | - Nathalie Beaujean
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, INRAE, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, U1208, USC1361, F-69500, Bron, France
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7
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Qu P, Shen C, Du Y, Qin H, Luo S, Fu S, Dong Y, Guo S, Hu F, Xue Y, Liu E. Melatonin Protects Rabbit Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) Embryos from Electrofusion Damage. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2186. [PMID: 32042116 PMCID: PMC7010831 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59161-6] [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: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The study’s objectives were to examine the effects of electrofusion on rabbit somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, and to test melatonin as a protective agent against electrofusion damage to SCNT embryos. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the epigenetic state (H3K9me3), and the content of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated transcripts (IRE-1 and CHOP) were measured. Melatonin was added during the preimplantation development period. The total blastocyst cell numbers were counted, and the fragmentation rate and apoptotic index were determined and used to assess embryonic development. Electrofusion increased (1) ROS levels at the 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-cell stages; (2) H3K9me3 levels at the 2-, 4-, and 8-cell stage; and (3) the expression of IRE-1 and CHOP at the 8-cell, 16-cell, morula, and blastocyst stages. The treatment of SCNT embryos with melatonin significantly reduced the level of ROS and H3K9me3, and the expression levels of IRE-1 and CHOP. This treatment also significantly reduced the fragmentation rate and apoptotic index of blastocysts and increased their total cell number. In conclusion, the electrofusion of rabbit SCNT embryos induced oxidative stress, disturbed the epigenetic state, and caused ER stress, while melatonin reduced this damage. Our findings are of signal importance for improving the efficiency of SCNT and for optimizing the application of electrical stimulation in other biomedical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiang Qu
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.,Research Institute of Atherosclerotic Disease, Xi'an Jiaotong University Cardiovascular Research Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Chong Shen
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Yue Du
- Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Hongyu Qin
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Shiwei Luo
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Sixin Fu
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Yue Dong
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Shuaiqingying Guo
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Fang Hu
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Ying Xue
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Enqi Liu
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China. .,Research Institute of Atherosclerotic Disease, Xi'an Jiaotong University Cardiovascular Research Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
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Mahdavinezhad F, Kazemi P, Fathalizadeh P, Sarmadi F, Sotoodeh L, Hashemi E, Hajarian H, Dashtizad M. In vitro versus In vivo: Development-, Apoptosis-, and Implantation- Related Gene Expression in Mouse Blastocyst. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 17:e2157. [PMID: 31457046 PMCID: PMC6697851 DOI: 10.21859/ijb.2157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background While mammalian embryos can adapt to their environments, their sensitivity overshadows their adaptability in suboptimal in vitro conditions. Therefore, the environment in which the gametes are fertilized or to which the embryo is exposed can greatly affect the quality of the embryo and consequently its implantation potential. Objectives Since providing an optimal culture condition needs a deep understanding of the environmental effects, and regarding the fact that normal morphology fails to be a reliable indicator of natural embryo development, the current study aimed at comparing in vivo- and in vitro-derived blastocysts at the molecular level. Materials and Methods In vivo and in vitro mouse blastocysts were obtained by flushing the uterine horns and in vitro fertilization/culture, respectively. Normal blastocysts of both groups were evaluated in terms of hatching rate and expression of three lineage-differentiation-, apoptosis-, and implantation-related genes. Results The hatching rate was lower in In vitro fertilization (IVF)-produced blastocysts in comparison with that of the in vivo counterparts. More importantly, the study results indicated significant changes in the expression levels of eight out of ten selected genes, especially Mmp-9 (about -10.7-fold). The expression of Mmp-9 in trophoblast cells is required for successful implantation and trophoblast invasion. Conclusions The current study, in addition to confirming that the altered gene expression pattern of in vitro-produced embryos resulted in normal morphology, provided a possible reason for lower implantation rate of in vitro-produced blastocysts regarding the Mmp-9 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forough Mahdavinezhad
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Parinaz Kazemi
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran.,McGill University Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Parisa Fathalizadeh
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sarmadi
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Sotoodeh
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Hashemi
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadi Hajarian
- Department of Animal Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Dashtizad
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
During the first days following fertilization, cells of mammalian embryo gradually lose totipotency, acquiring distinct identity. The first three lineages specified in the mammalian embryo are pluripotent epiblast, which later gives rise to the embryo proper, and two extraembryonic lineages, hypoblast (also known as primitive endoderm) and trophectoderm, which form tissues supporting development of the fetus in utero. Most of our knowledge regarding the mechanisms of early lineage specification in mammals comes from studies in the mouse. However, the growing body of evidence points to both similarities and species-specific differences. Understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms of early embryonic development in nonrodent mammals expands our understanding of basic mechanisms of differentiation and is essential for the development of effective protocols for assisted reproduction in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and for biomedical research. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on key events in epiblast, hypoblast, and trophoblast differentiation in domestic mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Piliszek
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Poland.
| | - Zofia E Madeja
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Yelisetti UM, Komjeti S, Katari VC, Sisinthy S, Brahmasani SR. Interspecies nuclear transfer using fibroblasts from leopard, tiger, and lion ear piece collected postmortem as donor cells and rabbit oocytes as recipients. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2016; 52:632-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s11626-016-0014-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Piliszek A, Grabarek JB, Frankenberg SR, Plusa B. Cell fate in animal and human blastocysts and the determination of viability. Mol Hum Reprod 2016; 22:681-690. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaw002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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12
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Táncos Z, Bock I, Nemes C, Kobolák J, Dinnyés A. Cloning and characterization of rabbit POU5F1, SOX2, KLF4, C-MYC and NANOG pluripotency-associated genes. Gene 2015; 566:148-57. [PMID: 25895477 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
While the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is an important research model for aspects of human development and disease that cannot be studied in rodents, the lack of data on the genetic regulation of rabbit preimplantation development is a limitation. To assist in the understanding of this process, our aim was to isolate and characterize genes necessary for the induction and maintenance of cellular pluripotency. We are the first to report the isolation of complete coding regions of rabbit SOX2, KLF4, C-MYC and NANOG, which encode transcription factors that play crucial regulatory roles during early mammalian embryonic development. We determined the exon-intron boundaries and chromosomal localization of these genes using computational analysis. The sequences of mRNA and translated protein of the newly identified genes and those of POU5F1 were aligned to their mammalian orthologs to determine the degree of evolutionary conservation. Furthermore, the expression of these genes in embryonic and adult cells was studied at the mRNA and protein levels. We found the sequences and the expression pattern of these pluripotency-associated genes to be highly conserved between human and rabbit, indicating that the rabbit would be a valuable model for human preimplantation development. Implementing the newly identified genes either as biomarkers or as reprogramming factors might also pave the way towards the creation of stable pluripotent rabbit cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Táncos
- Molecular Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary; Biotalentum Ltd, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - István Bock
- Molecular Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary; Biotalentum Ltd, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | | | | | - András Dinnyés
- Molecular Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary; Biotalentum Ltd, Gödöllő, Hungary; Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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