Cervical changes in estrogen receptor alpha,oxytocin receptor,LH receptor,and cyclooxygenase-2 depending on the histologic compartment,longitudinal axis,and day of the ovine estrous cycle

The aim was to investigate the histologic distribution of estrogen receptor α (ERα), oxytocin receptor (OxR), LH receptor (LHR), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the cervix of the ewe during the estrous cycle. Immunohistochemistry was performed in the cranial and caudal cervix of Corriedale ewes on Day 1 (n = 6), 6 (n = 5), or 13 (n = 6) after estrous detection (Day 0). The ERα proportional score (%ERα nuclei) was lower in the cranial cervix than in the caudal cervix, whereas the OxR and COX-2 immunostaining areas (%areas) were greater in the cranial cervix than in the caudal cervix (P < 0.04). The %ERα nuclei decreased from Days 1 to 13 in luminal epithelia, but increased from Days 1 to 6 or remained unchanged in stromata (P < 0.003). The %OxR area was higher on Day 6 than on Days 1 and 13 in the superficial glandular epithelium, and increased from Days 1 to 13 in the deep glandular epithelium (P < 0.04). The %LHR area increased during the estrous cycle in luminal epithelia and fold stroma (P < 0.004). The %COX-2 area was restricted to epithelia, and it was lower on Day 1 than on Days 6 and 13 in luminal epithelia (P < 0.05). Differences in ERα, OxR, LHR, and COX-2 between cranial and caudal cervical zones indicate different physiological functions, and their cyclic variations in the cervical epithelia, in contrast to little or no variations in the stroma, suggest a hormone-responsive driving role of epithelia in cervical function.     

Luteinizing hormone receptors in ovaries of the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) during the menstrual cycle

Ovarian luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors were characterized using ovarian tissues from 17 cynomolgus monkeys at different phases of the menstrual cycle. Low binding affinity receptors for ¹²⁵I-LH were observed throughout the menstrual cycle. The binding affinity of these receptors for LH (< 12 × 10¹⁰ M^?1) was approximately the same as that of ovarian LH receptors previously reported in human and nonhuman primates. In addition, high-affinity receptors (17?85 × 10¹⁰ M^?1) were also detected at the mid-luteal phase, during which a large functional corpus luteum was present. Thus the high-affinity LH receptors appear with the formation of the corpus luteum and disappear with its regression. Almost no fluctuation of binding capacity was observed throughout the menstrual cycle (32?112 fmol/ mg of ovarian tissue). The high-affinity LH receptor was judged to be derived from the functional corpus luteum.     

尼罗罗非鱼生长激素及其受体的cDNA克隆与mRNA表达的雌雄差异

尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)雌雄鱼生长差异明显,为了探讨其原因,本文采用RT-PCR方法克隆了尼罗罗非鱼生长激素(Growthhormone,GH)及其受体(Growth hormone receptor,GHR)的cDNA序列,并应用半定量RT-PCR方法比较了雌、雄尼罗罗非鱼垂体GHmRNA、肝脏GHRmRNA、肌肉GHRmRNA的表达差异。序列分析表明:GH开放阅读框为615bp,共编码204个氨基酸;GHR开放阅读框为1908bp,共编码635个氨基酸。以RT-PCR方法研究了GH、GHR在各组织的分布情况,结果表明:GH仅在垂体中检测到有表达,而GHR在所检测的18种组织中均有表达,其中以肝脏、肌肉、性腺、下丘脑、胸腺表达量较高。以半定量RT-PCR方法进一步比较了雌、雄尼罗罗非鱼垂体GHmRNA、肝脏GHRmRNA、肌肉GHRmRNA的表达量,结果表明:雄鱼垂体GHmRNA和肝脏GHRmRNA的表达量均显著高于雌鱼,肌肉GHRmRNA的表达量则无显著差异,推测垂体GHmRNA和肝脏GHRmRNA表达的雌雄差异是尼罗罗非鱼雌雄生长差异的主要原因之一。     

Effects of quinestrol on reproductive hormone expression, secretion, and receptor levels in female Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Quinestrol, a synthetic estrogen with marked estrogenic effects and prolonged activity, has potential as a contraceptive for Mongolian gerbils. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of quinestrol on reproductive hormone expression, secretion, and receptor levels in female Mongolian gerbils. Serum and pituitary concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were decreased, whereas serum concentrations of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) were increased after quinestrol treatment; the effects were both time- and dose-dependent. Furthermore, quinestrol downregulated expression of FSHβ and LHβ mRNA in the pituitary gland, as well as FSH receptor (FSHR) and estrogen receptor (ER) β in the ovary. However, it up-regulated mRNA expression levels of ERα and progesterone receptor (PR) in the pituitary gland and uterus, as well as mRNA for LH receptor (LHR) and PR in the ovary (these effects were time- and dose-dependent). In contrast, quinestrol had no significant effects on the mRNA expression levels of ERα in the ovary, or the gonadotropin α (GtHα) subunit in the pituitary gland. We inferred that quinestrol impaired synthesis and secretion of FSH and LH and that the predominant ER subtype in the pituitary gland of Mongolian gerbils may be ERα. Overall, quinestrol disrupted reproductive hormone receptor expression at the mRNA level in the pituitary-gonadal axis of the Mongolian gerbil.     

Variations in hepatic estradiol-17beta receptor concentrations during the annual reproductive cycle of diploid and triploid female catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Concentrations of hepatic estradiol-17beta (E2) receptors (ER) in cytosolic and nuclear fractions were evaluated in diploid and triploid female catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) during four different reproductive periods of a complete reproductive cycle. Basal level of ER concentration was noted in the resting period of both diploids and triploids. Receptor level gradually elevated through the preparatory period and reached a peak in the pre-spawning period in both diploids and triploids. However, ER concentrations were overall reduced in triploid to that of diploid females. In a single point assay, in diploids, ER concentration showed about a 3-fold rise (p<0.001) in the cytosolic and a 4-fold rise (p<0.001) in the nuclear extracts from resting to the pre-spawning period. In triploids, only a 2-fold rise was observed both in cytosolic (p<0.01) and nuclear (p<0.05) ER concentration during the same span. Finally, a sudden fall of receptor level was observed in the spawning period in both the ploidy groups with a lower concentration in the triploids. The K(d) value did not differ between the females of diploids (cytosolic 1.12+/-0.21 nM and nuclear 6.9+/-0.9 nM) and triploids (cytosolic--1.13+/-0.17 nM, nuclear--6.8+/-2 nM). However, B(max) of the diploid showed about double the value than triploid females both in the cytosolic (diploid--367.4+/-33.24 pmol/mg protein, triploid--187.3+/-13.20 pmol/mg protein, p<0.001) and nuclear extracts (diploid--946+/-66 pmol/mg DNA, triploid-558+/-98 pmol/mg DNA, p<0.01) of liver. Lower E2 binding capacity and lower amount of E2 receptors of triploid catfish liver with a stunted vitellogenic status could be one of the major causes for reduced gonadal development and sterility in female triploids.     

Role of brain hormone in oogenesis of the Indian freshwater leech,Poecilobdella viridis (Blanchard) during the annual reproductive cycle

The possible role of a brain hormone in oogenesis of Poecilobdella viridis has been investigated by brain extirpation and brain extract injections during non-reproductive (November to January) and reproductive (March to May) periods. Brain extirpation during the non-reproductive period ceased maturation of the ovary. It is inferred that brain secretion bears possibly a gonadotropic principle which governs and regulates the oogenesis during the annual reproductive cycle.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of small-molecule [18F] labeled gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonists as potential PET imaging agents for GnRH receptor expression

Two novel small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonists (12 and 13) of the furamide-class were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their receptor binding affinities for the rat GnRH receptor. Radiolabeling with no carrier added fluorine-18 of the appropriate precursors was investigated in a one-step reaction. Log P (Octanol/PBS pH 7.4) and serum stability of the compounds were investigated. The antagonists showed low nM affinity for the rat GnRH receptor. ¹⁸F-radiolabled compounds were obtained in high radiochemical purity (>95%) and specific activity (>75 GBq/μmol). These findings suggest this class of compounds holds promise as potential probes for PET targeting of GnRH-receptor expression.     

cDNA cloning and expression analysis of the juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase from seabuckthorn carpenterworm,Holcocerus hippophaecolus (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

In this study, we report the cDNA cloning and sequence determination of Hh‐JHAMT from the seabuckthorn carpenterworm, Holcocerus hippophaecolus, by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full‐length cDNA of putative Hh‐JHAMT was 1659 bp and contained a highly conserved Motif I, SAM motif I, which showed that Hh‐JHAMT like enzyme was a member of SAM‐dependent MTases. Moreover, putative Hh‐JHAMT had high homology to the other members of the JHAMT peptide family: 59% with Spodoptera litura, 54% with Bombyx mori and 54% with Helicoverpa armigera. Multiple alignments and phylogenetic analysis revealed that Hh‐JHAMT was closely related to JHAMT from Lepidoptera. Real‐time quantitative PCR experiments showed that Hh‐JHAMT mRNA expression was highest in the corpora allata (CA) complex, and was also detected at high levels during earlier larval and adult stages. The JHAMT mRNA level gradually declined during larval development, and the lowest amount of expression was observed in the pupal stage, while it increased to a higher level during adult stages. The pattern of Hh‐JHAMT expression was similar to the mode of JH biosynthesis. These results provided information concerning molecular characteristics of Hh‐JHAMT, whose expression profile suggests that the Hh‐JHAMT gene might be changed with larval development, metamorphosis and adult reproduction of the H. hippophaecolus.     

麦红吸浆虫蜕皮激素受体（EcR）基因的克隆与表达分析

为了研究蜕皮激素受体（EcR）在麦红吸浆虫Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin)滞育活动中的作用, 利用RT PCR和RACE技术克隆得到了麦红吸浆虫蜕皮激素受体基因cDNA全长, 并通过Real-time quantitative PCR研究了其表达情况。该cDNA全长序列被命名为SmEcR （GenBank登录号： KC491135）, 其开放阅读框长1 386 bp, 编码461个氨基酸残基。其蛋白预测分子量52.90 kD, 理论等电点6.24。该蛋白与其他已报道的昆虫EcR蛋白具有很高的同源性, 其中与迟眼蕈蚊Bradysia coprophila中相应蛋白的氨基酸序列一致性高达92%。SmEcR在麦红吸浆虫不同滞育时期和不同虫态中均有表达, 且在不同滞育时期、 不同虫态中的表达量差异很大。在滞育不同时期以11月表达量最高, 12月表达量最低; 在不同虫态以麦穗幼虫中的表达量较低, 而成虫中的表达水平很高。本研究为进一步明确SmEcR在麦红吸浆虫滞育调控中的作用奠定了基础。     

亚洲玉米螟神经肽羽化激素基因cDNA的克隆及组织表达

羽化激素对调节昆虫的蜕皮和发育起关键作用。亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis是亚洲农业重要害虫之一,本实验研究了亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因cDNA的分子结构和表达模式。利用兼并性引物RT-PCR技术,克隆了亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因cDNA的中间片段,然后再用RACE方法,获得羽化激素基因的 cDNA全长序列。结果表明： 亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因cDNA全长986 bp（GenBank登录号： DQ668369）,开放阅读框为267 bp,编码88个氨基酸的前体蛋白,其中包括前26个氨基酸组成的信号肽和62个氨基酸的成熟肽。亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因与烟草天蛾、棉铃虫和家蚕已报道同源基因的同源性较高,分别为79.5%、77.3%和67.0%,与黑腹果蝇同源基因的同源性最低,仅45.5%。亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因mRNA只在脑中表达,在咽下神经节、胸神经节、腹神经节等神经组织中检测不到,在非神经组织如中肠、脂肪体和表皮中也不表达。     

Genetic studies on the ghrelin, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) and ghrelin O-acyl transferase (GOAT) genes

Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide hormone that is produced both centrally and peripherally. Regulated by the ghrelin O-acyl transferase enzyme, ghrelin exerts its action through the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, and is implicated in a diverse range of physiological processes. These implications have placed the ghrelin signaling pathway at the center of a large number of candidate gene and genome-wide studies which aim to identify the genetic basis of human heterogeneity. In this review we summarize the available data on the genetic variability of ghrelin, its receptor and its regulatory enzyme, and their association with obesity, stature, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders, and reward seeking behavior.     

黑尾叶蝉卵黄原蛋白受体基因cDNA的克隆、序列分析及表达模式

【目的】卵黄原蛋白受体(vitellogenin receptor,VgR)属于低密度脂蛋白受体,通过介导内吞作用为发育中的卵母细胞摄取卵黄原蛋白,为胚胎发育提供营养物质,在昆虫生殖过程中发挥关键作用。为研究黑尾叶蝉Nephotettix cincticeps VgR(NcVgR)基因的生理功能及其在生殖中的作用,本研究克隆并解析了NcVgR基因的序列,并对其时空表达进行了研究。【方法】根据黑尾叶蝉转录组数据信息,利用RT-PCR克隆了NcVgR基因,并进行了生物信息学分析;利用实时荧光定量PCR研究了不同发育时期、成虫不同组织NcVgR的表达水平。【结果】NcVgR c DNA序列全长6 676 bp,开放阅读框长度5 568 bp,编码1 855个氨基酸,预测编码蛋白的分子量为206 k D,N端前17个氨基酸为信号肽。序列分析显示,NcVgR具有低密度脂蛋白家族的5个经典保守域,即:配体结合域(ligand-binding domain,LBD)、表皮生长因子前体同源域(EGF-precursor homology domain,EGFP)、O-糖链结构域(O-linked sugar domain,OLSD)、跨膜域(transmembrane domain,TMD)和胞质尾域(cytoplasmic domain)。系统发育分析表明,NcVgR与褐飞虱N.lugens VgR亲缘关系最近。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,NcVgR转录起始时间为5龄若虫,羽化后转录水平逐渐上升,至羽化后8 d达到峰值,随后下降。有意思的是,随着黑尾叶蝉产卵,NcVgR转录水平再次上升,至羽化后16 d达到最高水平。组织定位结果显示,NcVgR在黑尾叶蝉雌成虫卵巢中特异性高表达,而在雌成虫脂肪体和肠道中微量表达,在雌成虫脑及雄成虫中均未检测到表达。【结论】NcVgR在黑尾叶蝉雌成虫卵巢中特异性表达,并且不同发育时期具有不同的表达量,这为研究黑尾叶蝉的生殖调控机理提供了分子信息。     

二点委夜蛾非典型嗅觉受体AlepOrco的基因克隆、原核表达及多克隆抗体制备

【目的】非典型嗅觉受体(olfactory receptor co-receptor, Orco)与典型嗅觉受体共同形成离子通道,在昆虫嗅觉识别中具有至关重要的作用。本研究旨在克隆和表达二点委夜蛾Athetis lepigone Orco基因,明确其分子特性,为进一步研究该基因在二点委夜蛾中的功能奠定基础。【方法】将二点委夜蛾雌雄成虫触角转录组数据建立本地数据库,通过生物信息学分析获得二点委夜蛾Orco同源基因AlepOrco;利用RT-PCR方法克隆二点委夜蛾AlepOrco基因全长,并在pGEX-6P-1/BL21(DE3)系统中进行了该基因开放阅读框(ORF)的原核表达,制备多克隆抗体,用Western blot检测抗体特异性;利用qPCR技术检测该基因在二点委夜蛾雌雄成虫不同组织(喙、触角、去除触角和喙的头、胸、腹、足和翅)中的表达谱。【结果】获得了二点委夜蛾AlepOrco的cDNA(GenBank登录号:MN583125)全长序列,开放阅读框长1 422 bp,编码473个氨基酸,序列中有7个跨膜结构区,预测等电点为8.59,分子量为53.40 kD。SDS-PAGE和We...     

Signal transduction of the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor: Cross-talk of calcium,protein kinase C (PKC), and arachidonic acid

Summary 1. The decapeptide neurohormone gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is the first key hormone of the reproductive system. Produced in the hypothalamus, GnRH is released in a pulsatile manner into the hypophysial portal system to reach the anterior pituitary and stimulates the release and synthesis of the gonadotropin hormones LH and FSH. GnRH, a Ca²⁺ mobilizing ligand, binds to its respective binding protein, which is a member of the seven transmembrane domain receptor family and activates a G-protein (Gq).2. The subunit of Gq triggers enhanced phosphoinositide turnover and the elevation of multiple second messengers required for gonadotropin release and biosynthesis.3. The messenger molecules IP₃, diacylglycerol, Ca²⁺, protein kinase C, arachidonic acid and leukotriene C₄ cross-talk in a complex networks of signaling, culminating in gonadotropin release and gene expression.     

Tonoplast intrinsic proteins from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis): immunological analysis, cDNA cloning and evidence for expression in meristematic tissues

The vacuolar membrane (tonoplast) of plant cells contains aquaporins, protein channels that facilitate the selective transport of water. These tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs) of 23–29 kDa belong to the ancient major intrinsic protein (MIP) family. A monospecific polyclonal antiserum directed against a 26 kDa intrinsic protein from the tonoplast of meristematic cells from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) was used to screen a cDNA library. Two distinct cDNAs have been isolated. Both clones, c26-1 and c26-2, encode closely related TIPs. The c26-1 insert, consisting of 933 bp upstream of the poly(A) tail, is a full-length cDNA with an open reading frame encoding a protein of 251 amino acids with a calculated M_r of 25 500. The c26-2 insert is a 5′ truncated cDNA. The two cDNAs share 90.5% sequence identity within their overlapping coding regions but only 35% sequence identity in the 3′␣untranslated regions, indicating that highly related TIP-encoding genes are expressed in meristematic cells. Although TIPs have previously been found in a variety of cell types, they have not been found in meristems. The derived amino acid sequences (BobTIP26-1 and BobTIP26-2, respectively) closely resemble the aquaporin γ-TIP from Arabidopsis thaliana. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization show that BobTIP26 mRNAs preferentially accumulate in highly meristematic cells, mostly before and during cell enlargement, and in the living cells of the xylem. This differential pattern of expression is also found by immunodetection of BobTIP26 polypeptides. The gene expression patterns are discussed with respect to the probable function of the gene products. Received: 27 March 1997 / Accepted: 20 May 1997     

Effect of hypo-osmotic environmental changes on the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone,its receptor,and gonadotropin hormone subunit mRNA in adult chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)

Migrating fish such as salmonids are affected by external environmental factors and salinity changes are particularly important, influencing spawning migration. The aim of this study was to test whether changes in salinity would affect the expression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis hormones (gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRHs) [salmon GnRH and chicken GnRH-II], GnRH receptors [GnRHR1 and GnRHR5], and mRNA of the gonadotropin hormone [GTH] subunits [GTHα, follicle stimulating hormone β, and luteinizing hormone β]) in chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Fish were progressively transferred from seawater (SW) through 50% SW to freshwater (FW), and the relationship between the osmoregulatory hormone prolactin (PRL) and sexual maturation was determined. The expression and activity of HPG hormones and their receptors, and levels of estradiol-17β and PRL increased after fish were transferred to FW, demonstrating that changes in salinity stimulate the HPG axis and PRL production in migrating chum salmon. These findings reveal details about the role of the endocrine system in maintaining homeostasis and stimulating sexual maturation and reproduction in response to salinity changes in this species.