金鱼配子发生中vasa基因的表达和分布特征

用原位杂交技术,以地高辛标记的反义RNA为探针,检测了金鱼(Carassiusauratus)DEAD box家族基因vasa在卵子及精子发生中的分布及表达。结果表明在金鱼卵子发生中,在各个时期的卵母细胞的胞质中均有金鱼vasaRNA的杂交信号表达。在Ⅰ、Ⅱ期卵母细胞中vasaRNA的杂交信号强烈,均匀地分布在整个胞质。随着卵母细胞的生长发育及卵黄的积累,Ⅲ、Ⅳ期卵母细胞胞质中vasaRNA的杂交信号急剧减弱,而外周皮层区域,其阳性信号仍较强。在金鱼精子发生中,在精原细胞和初级精母细胞中可检测到金鱼vasaRNA杂交信号,后者的阳性信号比前者微弱;而精子细胞中没有阳性信号。推测vasa基因在金鱼精子发生早期发挥着重要作用;而在卵子发生中主要作为遗传信息储备物质,用于调控早期胚胎发育过程中原始生殖细胞的形成与分化。     

长江鲟org基因的克隆和表达分析

为了研究卵子发生相关基因org基因在长江鲟(Acipenser dabryanus)卵子发生过程的作用, 克隆得到长江鲟org基因(命名为Adorg)的全长cDNA序列, 该序列为1031 bp, 编码233个氨基酸。氨基酸序列比对分析发现, 长江鲟AdOrg与斑马鱼(Danio rerio)ZOrg蛋白序列的一致性最高, 为49.5 %。荧光定量PCR研究发现, 长江鲟Adorg mRNA特异地表达于性腺, 其在卵巢大量表达, 在精巢微量表达, 而在其他组织(肝、肠、脾、肾、心、肌肉、鳃、垂体和下丘脑)均未检测到其表达; 胚胎发育过程的动态表达分析表明, Adorg为母源表达, 在原肠胚之前均具有较高的表达水平, 随后其表达量急剧下降; 进一步研究其在卵子发生的表达模式, 发现Adorg基因在未分化性腺中的表达量极低, 随着卵母细胞的生长发育, 其mRNA表达水平急剧上升, 且维持在非常高的水平, 在Ⅱ期卵巢中的表达量最高。性腺切片RNA原位杂交实验结果表明, Adorg特异地在生殖细胞表达; 在卵巢中, Adorg在卵原细胞的信号较弱, 但在初级卵母细胞中, 其信号急剧增强且分布在卵母细胞的胞质, 且随着初级卵母细胞的生长发育, 其信号也逐渐增强; 在精巢中, 发现Adorg mRNA在A型和B型精原细胞中表达, 而在初级和次级精母细胞中未发现阳性信号。上述结果表明, Adorg基因可能在长江鲟性别分化和卵子发生过程中都起重要作用, 有待通过基因敲降或敲除技术来进一步阐明其功能。     

Bcl-2-like和Bax-like蛋白在白蚁生殖蚁和工蚁精子发生过程中的表达比较分析

为探讨凋亡调节因子Bcl-2和Bax蛋白对白蚁生殖蚁和工蚁性腺发育的影响, 揭示白蚁生殖品级与非生殖品级性腺发育的调节机理, 以尖唇散白蚁Reticulitermes aculabialis为研究对象, 运用免疫细胞化学定位方法对生殖蚁和工蚁精子发生过程中的Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达进行了研究。结果显示： 生殖蚁和工蚁精子发生过程中从精原细胞至精子时期均有Bcl-2-like和Bax-like的阳性表达。生殖蚁的次级精母细胞、 精子细胞和精子中Bcl-2-like阳性表达率较高, 而在精原细胞和初级精母细胞中阳性率较低; 工蚁在次级精母细胞中最高, 在精原细胞和初级精母细胞中较低。除初级精母细胞期外, 工蚁生殖细胞其他发育阶段Bax-like阳性表达率均显著高于生殖蚁同一阶段生殖细胞。生殖蚁的生殖细胞在精原细胞、 初级精母细胞和次级精母细胞时期Bax-like阳性表达率较高, 发育至精子时期阳性率最低; 工蚁在次级精母细胞、 精子细胞和精子时期Bax-like表达率较高, 在初级精母细胞中表达率最低。在精子发生过程中, 生殖蚁生殖细胞Bax/Bcl表达量比值逐步下降; 而工蚁生殖细胞发育过程中Bax/Bcl表达量比值仅在次级精母细胞期下降, 其他发育时期均升高; 根据Bax/Bcl判断, 精原细胞和初级精母细胞是生殖蚁精子发生过程中主要的凋亡点, 而工蚁除了精原细胞和初级精母细胞外, 精子细胞和精子也是主要的凋亡目标。研究结果表明, 白蚁生殖细胞凋亡与其他动物一样受Bcl-2家族的调节, 在精子发生过程中Bcl-2-like和Bax-like表达具有动态变化规律, 正是这种变化调控生殖细胞在不同发育阶段的生或死; Bcl-2-like和Bax-like对生殖细胞凋亡调节不仅在精子发生中有非常重要的作用, 而且可能与工蚁品级的形成有关。     

nanos同源基因在黑脊倒刺鲃生殖细胞中的表达研究

目的:研究黑脊倒刺鲃scnanos的核苷酸序列及其在配子发生中的空间表达特征,以期为鱼类生殖发育研究提供一个有效的分子标记。方法:RT-PCR法首次克隆出scnanos基因,并检测其在不同组织中的表达水平,进而原位杂交法检测其在性腺中的表达水平。结果:scnanos开放阅读框长456bp,编码152个氨基酸。其具有较高的保守性,与鲤鱼、斑马鱼、家蚕、大熊猫、紫色球海胆的相似性分别为81%、63%、52%、50%、44%;scnanos仅在性腺表达,精子发生中,scnanos仅在精原细胞和精母细胞中表达。卵子发生的各时期都发现有scnanos的表达,且杂交信号的强度都随着配子发生的进行逐渐减弱。结论:该研究得到的scnanos是斑马鱼nanos的同源基因,而且此基因适合作为黑脊倒刺鲃及其它鱼类生殖发育研究的有效分子标记基因。     

异翅负蝗配子发生过程中c-kit蛋白表达动态

应用免疫组织化学和生物统计分析相结合的方法,对异翅负蝗Atractomorp haheteroptera Bei Bienko配子发生过程中c-kit特异表达特点和动态进行研究。结果表明,(1)精子发生过程中,精原细胞、初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞和成熟精子中均有不同程度的c-kit蛋白表达,精巢末端还有较粗大的阳性颗粒分布;(2)卵子发生过程中,第1~6阶段卵母细胞中有不同程度的c-kit蛋白特异性表达,但随着卵黄发生的开始逐渐消失;(3)此外,滤泡细胞、输卵管和受精囊的腺细胞中有c-kit蛋白颗粒的存在;(4)从c-kit蛋白季节动态变化看,精子发生和卵子发生中的阳性表达都随着时间的延续出现下降的态势。因此,c-kit蛋白的特异性表达提示该蛋白参与配子发生过程的阶段性调控,具有重要的生理作用。     

大垫尖翅蝗配子发生过程中c-kit蛋白特异性表达

应用免疫组织化学和生物统计分析相结合的方法,对大垫尖翅蝗Epacromius coerulipes (Ivan.)配子发生过程中c-kit蛋白特异表达特点和动态进行研究.结果表明:(1)精子发生过程中,精原细胞、初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞和成熟精子中均有不同程度的c-kit蛋白表达,精巢末端还有较粗大的阳性颗粒分布;(2)卵子发生过程中,第1～6阶段卵母细胞中有不同程度的c-kit蛋白特异性表达,但随着卵黄发生的开始逐渐消失;(3)滤泡细胞、输卵管和受精囊的腺细胞中有c-kit蛋白颗粒的存在.     

合浦珠母贝的配子发生

本文研究了合浦珠母贝精子和卵子的发生过程,详细描述了原始生殖细胞,精原细胞,卵原细胞,精母细胞,卵母细胞以及精子和卵子的形态结构;另外还报道了合浦珠母贝中独特的精、卵退化现象,并讨论了它们对合浦珠母贝人工育苗生产的影响。     

Hira基因产物在银鲫和彩鲫卵子发生过程中的动态变化

为进一步研究Hira基因在卵子发生和雌核发育过程中的作用,通过原位杂交和免疫荧光定位的方法检测了Hira mRNA和蛋白质在雌核发育银鲫和两性生殖彩鲫卵子发生过程中的动态变化。结果表明,银鲫和彩鲫卵子发生过程中Hira基因转录产物的变化基本一致,在Ⅰ期卵母细胞的细胞核中大量表达,至Ⅱ期卵母细胞时转至细胞质中均匀分布,在Ⅲ期卵母细胞中,杂交信号逐渐移向细胞的周边,到Ⅳ期时随着卵黄物质大量积累,杂交信号几乎不见。HIRA蛋白在银鲫和彩鲫卵子发生过程中的变化略有差别。HIRA蛋白在银鲫Ⅰ期卵母细胞中没有表达,在Ⅱ期卵母细胞的细胞质中有弱表达,在Ⅲ期早期卵母细胞的周边有强烈表达;而在彩鲫Ⅰ期卵母细胞中就有HIRA蛋白的弱表达,至Ⅱ期时HIRA蛋白在细胞质中大量表达,Ⅲ期早期卵母细胞的细胞质中有弱表达。在银鲫和彩鲫Ⅲ期末和Ⅳ期卵母细胞中都很难观察到荧光信号。Hira mRNA和蛋白质在银鲫和彩鲫早期卵母细胞中有较强表达,且在银鲫和彩鲫卵子发生过程中没有显著差异,说明其可能对于脊椎动物卵子发生和减数分裂没有显著影响,而是在受精和/或胚胎发育过程中起作用。       

Polycomb基因家族在大鼠精子发生过程中的表达

目的检测大鼠精子发生不同阶段细胞中Polycomb-group（Pc-G）家族在mRNA水平上表达是否有差异。方法提纯大鼠精子发生过程中的精原细胞、精母细胞、圆形精子细胞以及支持细胞,用荧光定量PCR方法检测Pc-G家族基因mRNA表达量。结果Pc-G基因家族中Ezh2、Eed、Bmi-1在精子发生中后期高表达;在各生精细胞中,YY1基因表达量低于支持细胞。结论Pc-G基因家族在精子发生各阶段细胞中特征性表达,与精子发生具有相关性,可能对精子发生分化和维持遗传稳定性都有重要的作用。     

不同体重瘤背石磺性腺发育规律

利用组织学方法研究了瘤背石磺体重(2—28g)与性腺发育、性腺指数与肝胰腺指数或卵黄腺指数间的关系,不同体重瘤背石磺性腺内各期生殖细胞的组成与比例以及瘤背石磺卵子和精子发生的规律。结果表明,(1)瘤背石磺的性腺指数有随体重增加而增加的特点:10g以上个体性腺指数达到最高且基本无变化;不同体重瘤背石磺性腺指数与肝胰腺指数和卵黄腺指数有明显的正相关性(P<0.05);(2)6g以下组的瘤背石磺性腺滤泡管内未发现有雌性生殖细胞,6g以上组的性腺滤泡管内雄性与雌性生殖细胞并存;(3)所有瘤背石磺个体性腺内均有精子分布,6g以下个体雄性生殖细胞组成以次级精母细胞为主,而6g以上个体则以精子为主;6g以上组的雌性生殖细胞成熟程度随体重增加有明显增加,其中6—8g以卵原细胞为主(57%),8—10g开始出现外源性卵黄合成期的卵母细胞,10—14g时的外源性卵黄合成期的卵母细胞约为69%,且开始出现成熟卵母细胞。(4)卵子发生共经历6期:分别为卵原细胞期、卵黄合成前卵母细胞期、内源性卵黄合成期、外源性卵黄合成期、近成熟期和成熟卵母细胞期,成熟卵母细胞直径约为(59.36±3.88)μm。精子发生经历精原细胞、初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞、精子细胞和精子共5个阶段,精子长约(52.44±20.65)μm。石磺体重与性腺发育程度密切相关,10g以上的个体可做为亲本使用。     

The nanos gene of Bombyx mori and its expression patterns in developmental embryos and larvae tissues

The nanos gene encodes a zinc-finger protein which is required for the migration and differentiation of primordial germ cells as well as for their fate maintenance. In this study, a 1913 bp nanos gene was cloned and characterized in silkworm (Bombyx mori). RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the nanos was expressed in developing embryos and various silkworm larval tissues. The expression patterns of Nanos and Vasa in silkworm larval gonads were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. It was found that, in silkworm larval ovaries, the Nanos and Vasa proteins were expressed in oocytes. While in testes, high expression of Nanos and Vasa was detected in spermatogonia and relatively weaker expression was found in spermatocytes at latter stages.     

Implication of nanos2-3'UTR in the expression and function of nanos2

Translational control of gene expression is an important component of the regulation of cellular differentiation and development. To elucidate the function of the 3'untranslated region (UTR) of the nanos2 gene in mice, we compared the phenotypes of lacZ knock-in mice with or without a native nanos2 3'UTR and found that this region of the nanos2 gene has a potential role during translational regulation in germ cells. The nanos2-3'UTR functions to repress the translation of mRNA in oocytes, but enhances the production of protein in the male gonads. To further understand the significance of the nanos2 3'UTR in vivo, we generated the mouse line nanos2pA/pA, which lacks this region endogenously. In nanos2(-/pA) mice, the number of germ cell-depleted seminiferous tubules was increased when compared with that of nanos2pA/pA mice, indicating a dose-dependent defect in spermatogenesis. These results suggest that the level of nanos2 protein is critical for normal spermatogenesis, and that this pathway may be regulated through the nanos2-3'UTR. We found that the defects in nanos2pA/pA and nanos2(-/pA) mice were caused by apoptosis of gonocytes in the embryonic gonads and gonocyte/spermatogonia in neonatal testes. In addition, it was noted that the nanos2 expression was restricted to a particular subset of spermatogonia after birth, which indicates that nanos2 plays a role in the maintenance and differentiation of gonocytes/spermatogonia in neonatal testes.     

nanos1 is required to maintain oocyte production in adult zebrafish

Development of the germline requires the specification and survival of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in the embryo as well as the maintenance of gamete production during the reproductive life of the adult. These processes appear to be fundamental to all Metazoans, and some components of the genetic pathway regulating germ cell development and function are evolutionarily conserved. In both vertebrates and invertebrates, nanos-related genes, which encode RNA-binding zinc finger proteins, have been shown to play essential and conserved roles during germ cell formation. In Drosophila, maternally supplied nanos is required for survival of PGCs in the embryo, while in adults, nanos is required for the continued production of oocytes by maintaining germline stem cells self-renewal. In mice and zebrafish, nanos orthologs are required for PGC survival during embryogenesis, but a role in adults has not been explored. We show here that nanos1 in zebrafish is expressed in early stage oocytes in the adult female germline. We have identified a mutation in nanos1 using a reverse genetics method and show that young female nanos mutants contain oocytes, but fail to maintain oocyte production. This progressive loss of fertility in homozygous females is not a phenotype that has been described previously in the zebrafish and underlines the value of a reverse genetics approach in this model system.     

nanos1: a mouse nanos gene expressed in the central nervous system is dispensable for normal development

A mouse nanos (nanos1) gene was cloned and its function was examined by generating a gene-knockout mouse. The nanos1 gene encodes an RNA-binding protein, which contains a putative zinc-finger motif that exhibits similarity with other nanos-class genes in vertebrates and invertebrates. Although nanos1 is not detected in primordial germ cells, it is observed in seminiferous tubules of mature testis. Interestingly, maternally expressed nanos1 is observed in substantial amounts in oocytes, but the amount of maternal RNA is rapidly reduced after fertilization, and the transient zygotic nanos1 expression is observed in eight-cell embryos. At 12.5 days postcoitum, nanos1 is re-expressed in the central nervous system and the expression continues in the adult brain, in which the hippocampal formation is the predominant region. The nanos1 -deficient mice develop to term without any detectable abnormality and they are fertile. No significant neural defect is observed in terms of their behavior to date.     

Specific expression of Olpiwi1 and Olpiwi2 in medaka (Oryzias latipes) germ cells

Piwi is necessary for germ stem cell survival in Drosophila and homologues have been identified in a diverse range of organisms. Here, we identify and characterize two homologous genes of piwi, Olpiwi1 and Olpiwi2, in the model fish medaka (Oryzias latipes). Olpiwi1 is similar to Ziwi in zebrafish or Miwi in the mouse, and Olpiwi2 is similar to Zili in zebrafish or Mili in the mouse. Moreover, Olpiwi2 mRNA is produced from two different chromosomes. RT-PCR showed expression of Olpiwi1 and Olpiwi2 predominantly in the gonads. In situ hybridization revealed germ cell-specific expression of Olpiwi1 and Olpiwi2 throughout the development of oocytes from oogonia to mature oocytes in the ovary, and from spermatogonia to spermatocytes in the testes of adults. RT-PCR and whole mount in situ hybridization showed that both Olpiwi1 and Olpiwi2 were maternally deposited in the embryo. Olpiwi1 and Olpiwi2 were detected in primordial germ cells during embryonic development. These results suggest that both Olpiwi1 and Olpiwi2 are germ cell specific, and may play important roles in germ cell development and gametogenesis in this model species.     

Localization and age-dependent expression of the inward rectifier K+ channel subunit Kir 5.1 in a mammalian reproductive system.

Kir 5.1 is a member of the inward rectifier potassium channel superfamily which does not form functional channels when expressed by itself in Xenopus laevis oocytes. rt-PCR reveals high levels of Kir 5.1 mRNA expression in testis but the function of this channel remains unknown. To determine the cell-specific expression of this channel in the testis we raised a polyclonal antibody against an external epitope of Kir 5.1 and tested its specificity in Xenopus oocytes expressing several cloned Kir subunits. Strong immunoreactivity for Kir 5.1 was found in seminiferous tubules of rat testis and, particularly, in spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and in the head and body of spermatozoa. The intensity of Kir 5.1 immunofluorescence, quantified using laser scanning microscopy, increased with age at every stage in the development of sperm from spermatogonia and reached a peak in 60-day-old rats. In contrast, the immunofluorescence decreased in 90-day-old animals and was detected mostly in spermatozoa. The results demonstrate that Kir 5.1 expression in the testis is localised to cells involved in spermatogenesis, showing a temporal pattern of expression during sexual maturity.