Molecular cloning and expression analysis of human glycogen synthase kinase-3 alpha promoter

Direct Injection of Recombinant AAV-Containing Solution into the Oviductal Lumen of Pregnant Mice Caused In Situ Infection of Both Preimplantation Embryos and Oviductal Epithelium

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector is an efficient viral-based gene delivery tool used with many types of cells and tissues, including neuronal cells and muscles. AAV serotype 6 (AAV-6), one of numerous AAV serotypes, was recently found to efficiently transduce mouse preimplantation embryos. Furthermore, through coupling with a clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system—a modern genome editing technology—AAV-6 has been shown to effectively create a mutation at a target locus, which relies on isolation of zygotes, in vitro viral infection, and transplantation of the infected embryos to recipient females. Unfortunately, this procedure, termed “ex vivo handling of embryos”, requires considerable investment of capital, time, and effort. Direct transduction of preimplantation embryos through the introduction of AAV-6 into the oviductal lumen of pregnant females would be an ideal approach. In this study, we injected various types of recombinant AAV vectors (namely, rAAV-CAG-EGFP-1, -2, -5, and -6, each carrying an enhanced green fluorescent protein [EGFP] cDNA whose expression is under the influence of a cytomegalovirus enhancer + chicken β-actin promoter) into the ampulla region of oviducts in pregnant female mice at Day 0.7 of pregnancy (corresponding to the late 1-cell stage), and EGFP-derived green fluorescence was assessed in the respective morulae. The highest levels of fluorescence were observed in rAAV-CAG-EGFP-6. The oviductal epithelium was distinctly fluorescent. The fluorescence in embryos peaked at the morula stage. Our results indicate that intra-oviductal injection of AAV-6 vectors is the most effective method for transducing zona pellucida-enclosed preimplantation embryos in situ. AAV-6 vectors could be a useful tool in the genetic manipulation of early embryos, as well as oviductal epithelial cells.

GSK3: A Kinase Balancing Promotion and Resolution of Inflammation

GSK3 has been implicated for years in the regulation of inflammation and addressed in a plethora of scientific reports using a variety of experimental (disease) models and approaches. However, the specific role of GSK3 in the inflammatory process is still not fully understood and controversially discussed. Following a detailed overview of structure, function, and various regulatory levels, this review focusses on the immunoregulatory functions of GSK3, including the current knowledge obtained from animal models. Its impact on pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine profiles, bacterial/viral infections, and the modulation of associated pro-inflammatory transcriptional and signaling pathways is discussed. Moreover, GSK3 contributes to the resolution of inflammation on multiple levels, e.g., via the regulation of pro-resolving mediators, the clearance of apoptotic immune cells, and tissue repair processes. The influence of GSK3 on the development of different forms of stimulation tolerance is also addressed. Collectively, the role of GSK3 as a kinase balancing the initiation/perpetuation and the amelioration/resolution of inflammation is highlighted.

Identification of porcine glycogen synthase kinase 3α (GSK-3α) gene and its association with carcass traits

GSK-3 plays an important role on numerous cellular processes involved in the regulation of embryonic development, protein synthesis, glycogen metabolism, inflammatory, mitosis and apoptosis. In this study, we obtained the cDNA and promoter sequences of the porcine GSK-3α gene, analyzed its genomic organization and mapped it to SSC6q12 through comparative mapping method. Moreover, the qRT-PCR analysis revealed that porcine GSK-3α gene was widely expressed in many tissues, and a high expression level was observed in the brain and spleen. In addition, seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms were detected in the promoter region of porcine GSK-3α gene. Association analysis revealed that the GSK-3α Hin1I and MspI polymorphisms both had significant associations (p < 0.05) with loin muscle area, average backfat thickness, thorax-waist fat thickness, and buttock fat thickness. These results provide useful information for further investigation on the function of porcine GSK-3α gene.

Lithium reduces Gsk3b mRNA levels: implications for Alzheimer Disease

BACKGROUND

There is evidence of increased systemic expression of active GSK3B in Alzheimer's disease patients, which apparently is associated with the formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Due to its central role in the pathogenesis of AD, GSK3B is currently a promising target of the pharmaceutical industry. Whilst trials with specific GSK inhibitors in AD are under way, major attention has been focused on the neuroprotective effects of lithium. Whereas the direct and indirect inhibitory effects of lithium over GSK3 activity have been documented by several groups, its effects over Gsk3 transcription have not yet been addressed.

METHODS

We used quantitative PCR to evaluate the transcriptional regulation of Gsk3a and Gsk3b in lithium-treated primary cultures of rat cortical and hippocampal neurons.

RESULTS

We found a significant and dose-dependent reduction in the expression of Gsk3b, which was specific to hippocampal cells. This same effect was further confirmed in vivo by measuring Gsk3 expression in different brain regions and in peripheral leukocytes of adult rats treated with lithium.

CONCLUSION

Our studies show that LiCl can modulate Gsk3b transcription in vitro and in vivo. This observation suggest new regulatory effects of lithium over Gsk3b, contributing to the better understanding of its mechanisms of action, offering a new and complementary explanation for Gsk3b modulation and reinforcing its potential for the inhibition of key pathological pathways in Alzheimer's disease.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 inscribes a gene expression profile for angiogenic factors and cancer progression in breast epithelial cells

Activation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) by IGF-1 is associated with the risk and progression of many types of cancer, although despite this it remains unclear how activated IGF-1R contributes to cancer progression. In this study, gene expression changes elicited by IGF-1 were profiled in breast epithelial cells. We noted that many genes are functionally linked to cancer progression and angiogenesis. To validate some of the changes observed, the RNA and/or protein was confirmed for c-fos, cytochrome P450 1A1, cytochrome P450 1B1, interleukin-1 beta, fas ligand, vascular endothelial growth factor, and urokinase plasminogen activator. Nuclear proteins were also temporally monitored to address how gene expression changes were regulated. We found that IGF-1 stimulated the nuclear translocation of phosphorylated AKT, hypoxic-inducible factor-1 alpha, and phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element-binding protein, which correlated with temporal changes in gene expression. Next, the promoter regions of IGF-1-regulated genes were searched in silico. The promoters of genes that clustered together had similar regulatory regions. In summary, IGF-1 inscribes a gene expression profile relevant to cancer progression, and this study provides insight into the mechanism(s) whereby some of these changes occur.