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Cui LX, Tian YQ, Hao HS, Zou HY, Pang YW, Zhao SJ, Zhao XM, Zhu HB, Du WH. Knockdown of ASH1L methyltransferase induced apoptosis inhibiting proliferation and H3K36 methylation in bovine cumulus cells. Theriogenology 2020; 161:65-73. [PMID: 33296745 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the expression and function of absent, small, or homeotic 1-like (ASH1L) methyltransferase in bovine cumulus cells in order to reveal by which mechanisms ASH1L regulates epigenetic modification and apoptosis in cumulus cells. The location of ASH1L and the methylation pattern of H3K36 were detected using immunofluorescence staining in cumulus cells. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and western blotting were used to screen for effective siRNA targeting the ASH1L gene. Also, the mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-related genes and polycomb inhibitory complex genes were estimated by qPCR after knocking down the ASH1L gene in bovine cumulus cells. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured with the CCK-8 method and Annexin V-FITC by flow cytometry, respectively. The results of immunofluorescence analysis showed that ASH1L is located in the nucleus of bovine cumulus cells and is distributed in a dotted pattern. ASH1L knockdown in cumulus cells induced a decrease in the levels of H3K36me1/2/3 methylation (P < 0.05). Additionally, ASH1L knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, increased the apoptosis rate, and upregulated the expression of apoptosis genes CASPASE-3, BAX and BAX/BCL-2 ratio (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of EZH2 and SUZ12, two subunits of PRC2 protein, were increased in cells with ASH1L knockdown (P < 0.05). Therefore, the expression of ASH1L methyltransferase and its function in on the apoptosis of bovine cumulus cells were first studied. The mechanism by which ASH1L regulates the histone methylation and apoptosis in cumulus cells was also revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Xin Cui
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Qing Tian
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Sheng Hao
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Ying Zou
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun-Wei Pang
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shan-Jiang Zhao
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Ming Zhao
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hua-Bin Zhu
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Hua Du
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
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