An Analysis of the Effects of Retinoic Acid and Other Retinoids on the Development of Adrenergic Cells from the Avian Neural Crest

In the present work, we have investigated the role of all-trans-retinoic acid (all-transRA), and several other natural and synthetic retinoids, in the development of adrenergic cells in quail neural crest cultures. Dose response studies using all-transRA and 13-cisRA revealed a dose-dependent increase in the number of adrenergic cells in neural crest cultures. Similar dose response studies using RA isomers and other natural retinoids did not result in the same increases. In order to determine the receptor mediating the effects of all-transRA in the neural crest, we tested several synthetic analogs which specifically bind to a particular RA receptor (RAR) subtype. We found that the compound AM 580, which activates the RAR-α, produced an increase in adrenergic cells similar to that seen with all-transRA. The compound TTNPB, which activates all RAR subtypes, also resulted in an increase in adrenergic cells. We conclude that the increase in adrenergic cells seen with all-transRA is mediated by RAR-α and possibly RAR-β. To further define the actions of all-transRA on the neural crest we incubated cultures with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to determine whether all-transRA could affect the rate of proliferation. The results show that while all-transRA did not increase the fraction of cells incorporating BrdU into their nuclei at early time points (24 h), it did increase BrdU incorporation by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells at 5 days in culture. These findings demonstrate that the increase in adrenergic cells seen with all-transRA in neural crest cultures is likely due to an increase in the proliferation of cells already expressing TH.     

alyron, an Insertional Mutation Affecting Early Neural Crest Development in Zebrafish

alyronz12 (aln) is a recessive lethal mutation that affects early stages of neural crest development in the zebrafish. alyron appears to be an insertional mutation as the mutation was generated following microinjection of plasmid DNA into one-cell embryos and the stably integrated transgenic sequences are closely linked to the mutation. The insertion site harbors multiple copies of the plasmid sequence that have experienced complex rearrangements. Host-insert junction fragments have been molecularly cloned and host sequences adjacent to the transgene have been used to map the mutation to the distal arm of linkage group 15. alyron function is required cell-autonomously in the neural crest lineage. alyron mutants have a severe but not complete deficit of premigratory neural crest as judged by reduced expression of several markers associated with early stages of neural crest development. Lack of premigratory neural crest is likely to account for the two most conspicuous characteristics of alyron mutants: the absence of body pigmentation and the inability to affect blood circulation. The neural crest phenotype of alyron mutants resembles that observed in mouse mutants that lack Pax-3 or both Wnt-1 and Wnt-3a function, and expression of the zebrafish homologues of these genes is greatly reduced in the dorsal neural keels of alyron mutants. In contrast, ventral neural keel identity appears unaffected. Given our findings that the mutation is unlinked to pax or wnt genes that have been described in the zebrafish, we propose that alyron is a novel gene function required for the specification and/or proliferative expansion of neural crest progenitors.     

机械阻断神经管的闭合影响爪蟾神经管辐射状切入及神经嵴细胞定向迁移(英文)

神经管闭合缺陷 (NTDs)是一种严重的先天畸形疾病,在新生儿中有千分之一的发病率。神经管融合前后,多种组织参与形态发生运动。神经管一经融合,神经嵴细胞就会向背侧中线方向产生单极突出并向此方向迁移形成神经管的顶部。与此同时,神经管从腹侧开始发生辐射状切入以实现单层化。在此,我们在非洲爪蟾的移植体中机械阻断神经管的闭合以检测其细胞运动及随后的图式形成。结果显示神经管闭合缺陷的移植体不能形成单层化的神经管,并且神经嵴细胞滞留在侧面区域不能向背侧中线迁移,而对神经前体标记基因的检测显示神经管的背腹图式形成并未受到影响。以上结果表明神经管的融合对于辐射状切入和神经嵴细胞向背侧中线方向的迁移过程是必需的,而对于神经管的沿背腹轴方向的图式形成是非必需的。     

In Vivo Expression of EphrinA5-Fc in Mice Results in Cephalic Neural Crest Agenesis and Craniofacial Abnormalities

Eph receptors and their ligands ephrins have been implicated in guiding the directed migration of neural crest cells (NCCs). In this study, we found that Wnt1-Cre-mediated expression of ephrinA5-Fc along the dorsal midline of the dien- and mesencephalon resulted in severe craniofacial malformation of mouse embryo. Interestingly, expression of cephalic NCC markers decreased significantly in the frontonasal process and branchial arches 1 and 2, which are target areas for the migratory cephalic NCCs originating in the dien- and mesencephalon. In addition, these craniofacial tissues were much smaller in mutant embryos expressing ephrinA5-Fc. Importantly, EphA7-positive cephalic NCCs were absent along the dorsal dien- and mesencephalon of mutant embryos expressing ephrinA5-Fc, suggesting that the generation of cephalic NCCs is disrupted due to ephrinA5-Fc expression. NCC explant experiments suggested that ephrinA5-Fc perturbed survival of cephalic NCC precursors in the dorsal midline tissue rather than affecting their migratory capacity, which was consistent with our previous report that expression of ephrinA5-Fc in the dorsal midline is responsible for severe neuroepithelial cell apoptotic death. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that expression of ephrinA5-Fc decreases a population of cephalic NCC precursors in the dorsal midline of the dien- and mesencephalon, thereby disrupting craniofacial development in the mouse embryos.     

视黄酸对小鼠早期胚胎结构及0tx2基因表达的影响

以全反式视黄酸 ( all trans-retinoic acid,AT-RA)体外处理 EB( early allantoic bud)期和 LB( lateallantoic acid)期的小鼠胚胎 ,然后用洋地黄毒苷 ( digoxigenin)标记的 0 tx2反意义 RNA探针对整体胚胎进行原位杂交。以 4× 1 0 - 6 mol/ l的 AT— RA处理 ,抑制或减少了胚胎的前肠形成 ,经处理的胚胎的头褶没有对照的那样明显向腹部突出 ,其神经沟也不整齐 ;经处理的 EB期胚胎 ,其 0 tx2表达范围剧烈地向前退缩或只有很微弱的表达 ;但以同样浓度处理 LB期胚胎时 ,与对照相比 ,0 tx2的表达除了在极少数胚胎中变得弱一些以外 ,在绝大多数胚胎中其表达模式没有变化     

利用mRNA差别显示技术分析枸杞体细胞胚发生早期基因的差别表达

本研究选用枸杞体细胞胚发生体系中的继代愈伤组织(对照)、胚性愈伤组织和早期胚体为实验材料,提取细胞总RNA,在12种锚定真核生物mRNA3'末端的OligodT12VN中,随机选用OligodT12GA为引物合成了以上三种材料的cDNA第一链,以此cDNA为模板,用随机引物进行PCR扩增,选择差别表达的片段。我们选用了OPA、OPH、OPK和OPB四组的60个随机引物对所得的c DNA进行了PCR扩增,得到了三个在体细胞胚发生早期组织中基因特异表达的片段。结果表明,在体细胞胚发生早期有胚胎发生特异性基因的表达,而且这种特异表达的基因在继代愈伤组织中没有表达,说明植物的体细胞胚发生过程就是细胞内基因差别表达的结果。 Abstract:Embryogenic calli and early embryo can be obtained from both auxin and auxin-free medium.The analysis of differential gene expression in early somatic embryogenesis has been hindered by above-mentioned material.The modifications of the recently described mRNA differential display method were reported and differential gene expression in early slmatic embryogenesis was analyzed.We have obtained three differential bands of cDNA in early somatic embryogenesis.The results indicate that gene expression has temperal and spalil order in early somatic embryogenesis of Lycium barbarum L.Plant somatic embryogenesis is the results of differential gene expression in cell.     

肽核酸对基因调节作用的研究进展

肽核酸(PNA)是一类人工合成的核酸类似物,PNA与核酸链以Waston-Crick碱基配对方式稳定互补结合,具有高度的亲合性、稳定性、特异性特征,PNA能调节基因的复制、转录（或逆转录）和翻译过程,有着广泛的分子生物学效应,显示出其作为基因调节药物的应用潜力。     

小鼠早期胚胎发育过程中细胞凋亡及凋亡基因表达的检测

小鼠早期胚胎发育过程中凋亡现象大量存在,细胞凋亡与凋亡基因表达有关。应用彗星电泳法检测小鼠早期胚胎凋亡情况;应用巢式RT-PCR、免疫组化的方法检测了Bcl-2家族成员(Bax、Bcl-2、Bak、Bcl-xl)的表达变化情况。结果显示:随着胚胎细胞数目的增加,凋亡比率逐渐增大;Bax表达量在整个过程中基本不变,Bcl-2表达量逐渐上调,Bak、Bcl-xl的表达量逐渐降低。对小鼠早期胚胎发育过程中的基因表达研究对于揭示早期胚胎发育的机制有重大的意义。     

视黄酸通路的启示——从心脏发育到心肌谱系定向分化

多潜能干细胞具有无限增殖的能力,并能够分化为心肌细胞,因此在心脏再生方面拥有巨大潜力.胚胎发育过程为干细胞定向分化提供了重要线索,在过去的几年中,通过操控心脏发育关键通路,在心肌定向分化方面取得了重要进展,但是现有的分化方法仍不能稳定地诱导心肌细胞,表明现有的通路不能有效解决这些问题.视黄酸(RA)通路在心脏发育过程中发挥重要作用,RA缺失会导致心房变小、心室小梁减少、心肌壁增厚且细胞间连接松散.在体外心肌定向分化过程中,RA多用于促进多潜能干细胞向心房分化.但从RA通路基因敲除小鼠的表型来看,除了调控心肌亚型分化,RA在多个发育阶段发挥重要作用.深入解析RA在心肌分化各阶段的作用机制,将有助于获得高质量的心肌细胞.同时,研究RA在心内膜和心外膜分化中的作用机制也有助于解释RA通路敲除小鼠的心脏异常.总之,从RA在胚胎发育中的作用来看,需要更多的体外研究来揭示RA在心肌谱系分化中的作用.本文综述了RA通路在心脏发育的心肌分化过程中的作用,并探讨了需要解决的问题.     

Impact of vitamin A on high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and scavenger receptor class BI in the obese rat

Objective: Scavenger receptor class BI (SR‐BI), authentic high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) receptors expressed in liver, are known to play an important role in HDL‐cholesterol (C) metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport. Interestingly, obese rats of WNIN/Ob strain have abnormally elevated levels of serum HDL‐C compared with their lean counterparts. Based on the well‐established role of SR‐B1 in HDL‐C metabolism, it was hypothesized that these obese rats may have an underexpression of hepatic SR‐B1 receptors. In view of the significant role of vitamin A in energy expenditure and obesity, we also tested whether vitamin A supplementation can correct abnormal HDL‐C metabolism. Research Methods and Procedures: To test this hypothesis, 7‐month‐old male lean and obese rats of WNIN/Ob strain were divided into two groups; each group was subdivided into two subgroups consisting of six lean and six obese rats and received diets containing either 2.6 or 129 mg vitamin A/kg diet for 2 months. Results: At the end, obese rats receiving normal levels of vitamin A diet showed high serum HDL‐C and lower hepatic SR‐BI expression levels compared with lean counterparts. Furthermore, chronic dietary vitamin A supplementation resulted in overexpression of hepatic SR‐BI receptors (protein and gene) with concomitant reduction in serum HDL‐C levels in obese rats. Discussion: Thus, our observations highlight the role of vitamin A in reverse cholesterol transport through up‐regulation of hepatic SR‐BI receptors and, thereby, HDL‐C homeostasis in obese rats of WNIN/Ob strain.     

植物耐盐性的分子生物学研究进展

研究证明了植物的耐盐机制十分复杂,安与植物的小分子物质的积累,离子摄入和区域化,以及基因表达和大分子蛋白质的合成有关,如调渗蛋白、通道蛋白、晚期胚胎发生富集蛋白。同时,利用克隆技术分离到了一些盐诱导基因。现将这部分工作做一综述。     

Free Amino Acid, Protein and Water Content Changes Associated with Seed Development in Araucaria angustifolia

The free amino acid, protein, water and dry matter contents were determined during the seed development of Araucaria angustifolia. Soluble and insoluble proteins in the mature seed represent 4.2 % of the fresh matter. The embryonic axis stored the greatest amount of soluble proteins, while cotyledons both with the embryonic axis showed the largest quantities of insoluble proteins in the mature seed. The greatest concentration of free amino acids was detected during the stage when cotyledons start to develop. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine and serine were predominant in the whole seed while arginine, lysine and γ-aminobutyric acid were present in great amounts only in cotyledons and embryonic axis. Although megagametophyte was important as a source of free amino acids, it was not the major protein storage organ in the mature seed. In the embryogenetic process, the rise of cotyledons is closely related to physiological and biochemical changes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Distribution of Keratan Sulphate and Chondroitin Sulphate in Wild Type and White Mutant Axolotl Embryos During Neural Crest Cell Migration

In embryos of the white mutant axolotl, prospective pigment cells are unable to migrate from the neural crest (NC) due to a deficiency in the subepidermal extracellular matrix (ECM). This raises the question of the molecular nature of this functional defect. Some PGs can inhibit cell migration on ECM molecules in vitro, and an excess of this class of molecules in the migratory pathways of neural crest cells might cause the restricted migration of prospective pigment cells seen in the white mutant embryo. In the present study, we use several monoclonal antibodies against epitopes on keratan sulphate (KS) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) and LM immunofluorescence to examine the distribution of these glycosaminoglycans at initial (stage 30) and advanced (stage 35) stages of neural crest cell migration. Most KS epitopes are more widely distributed in the white mutant than in the wild type embryo, whereas CS epitopes show very similar distributions in mutant and wild type embryos. This is confirmed quantitatively by immunoblotting: certain KS epitopes are more abundant in the white mutant. TEM immunogold staining reveals that KS as well as CS are present both in the basal lamina and in the interstitial ECM in both types of embryos. It remains to be investigated whether the abundance of certain KS epitopes in the white mutant embryo might contribute to the deficiency in supporting pigment cell migration shown by its ECM.     

参与小鼠神经发育的mCcd1基因的组织表达

介绍了一种可能在神经发育过程中起重要调节作用的基因mCcd1在小鼠发育过程中的mRNA和蛋白质水平的表达变化。通过对新生和成年小鼠多组织免疫杂交(Western Blot)和反转录PCR(RT-PCR)检测发现:该基因在多种组织中广泛表达,但脑部显示高表达,并且新生鼠各组织表达均高于成体。小鼠11.5 d胚胎切片免疫组化实验也支持这一结果。mCcd1在神经系统发育早期的表达暗示它可能参与了神经系统的发育过程。     

Drosophila Nucleostemin 2 Proved Essential for Early Eye Development and Cell Survival

Human nucleostemin (NS) is a nucleolar protein involved in cell-cycle progression and ribosomal biogenesis. While four NS orthologs have been reported in Drosophila melanogaster, their roles in development have yet to be determined. Here we describe evidence that Drosophila nucleostemin 2 (ns2) plays a significant role in early eye development and is essential for cell survival in vivo.     

绿色荧光蛋白标记的D-氨基酸氧化酶基因在人宫颈癌细胞中的表达研究

为了探讨绿色荧光蛋白标记的红色酵母D 氨基酸氧化酶 (DAAO)基因在人宫颈癌细胞 (HeLa细胞 )中的表达及其功能 ,采用基因重组技术构建了含有CMV启动子和EGFP、DAAO基因开放阅读框 (ORF)的真核表达载体 pIRES DAAO。脂质体法转染HeLa细胞 ,荧光显微镜下观察转染细胞中绿色荧光蛋白的表达 ,流式细胞术分析转染效率并筛选荧光阳性细胞 ,命名为HeLa D。以不同浓度的前药D Ala处理HeLa D细胞 ,MTT法检测细胞存活率。结果显示 ,荧光显微镜下可见绿色荧光蛋白在HeLa D细胞中表达 ,流式细胞术成功筛选出HeLa D细胞。前药D Ala能明显杀伤HeLa D细胞。结果表明 ,EGFP可作为报告基因快速筛选DAAO表达载体转染的细胞 ,DAAO/D Ala自杀基因系统可进一步用于肿瘤的基因治疗研究