Establishment of paternal allele-specific DNA methylation at the imprinted mouse Gtl2 locus

The monoallelic expression of imprinted genes is controlled by epigenetic factors including DNA methylation and histone modifications. In mouse, the imprinted gene Gtl2 is associated with two differentially methylated regions: the IG-DMR, which serves as a gametic imprinting mark at which paternal allele-specific DNA methylation is inherited from sperm, and the Gtl2-DMR, which acquires DNA methylation on the paternal allele after fertilization. The timeframe during which DNA methylation is acquired at secondary DMRs during post-fertilization development and the relationship between secondary DMRs and imprinted expression have not been well established. In order to better understand the role of secondary DMRs in imprinting, we examined the methylation status of the Gtl2-DMR in pre- and post-implantation embryos. Paternal allele-specific DNA methylation of this region correlates with imprinted expression of Gtl2 during post-implantation development but is not required to implement imprinted expression during pre-implantation development, suggesting that this secondary DMR may play a role in maintaining imprinted expression. Furthermore, our developmental profile of DNA methylation patterns at the Cdkn1c- and Gtl2-DMRs illustrates that the temporal acquisition of DNA methylation at imprinted genes during post-fertilization development is not universally controlled.     

AN AUTORADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF RNA SYNTHESIS DURING POLLEN EMBRYOGENESIS IN HYOSCYAMUS NIGER (HENBANE)

RNA synthesis during pollen embryogenesis in cultured anther segments of Hyoscyamus niger (henbane) has been followed by autoradiography of ³H-uridine incorporation. Embryogenic divisions were initiated in binucleate pollen grains in which the generative nucleus or both generative and vegetative nuclei synthesized RNA. When the first haploid mitosis in culture resulted in pollen grains with two nearly identical nuclei, those in which both nuclei synthesized RNA became embryogenic. Binucleate pollen grains in which ³H-uridine incorporation was confined exclusively to the vegetative nucleus gradually became starch-filled and nonembryogenic. Based on the degree of involvement of the vegetative nucleus in embryoid formation, some differences were noted between the counts of autoradiographic silver grains over cells cut off by the generative and vegetative nuclei during progressive embryogenesis. The possible significance of RNA synthesis in the nuclei of binucleate pollen grains in determining the pathway of embryogenic divisions is discussed.     

Developmental expression of plasma glutathione peroxidase during mouse organogenesis

Plasma glutathione peroxidase (pGPx) is an extracellular antioxidative selenoenzyme which has been detected in various adult tissues, but little is known about the expression and distribution of pGPx during embryogenesis. To investigate the expression patterns of pGPx during embryogenesis, we performed quantitative real-time PCR, in situ hybridization, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry analyses in whole embryos or each developing organ of mice on embryonic days (E)7.5–18.5. In whole embryos of E7.5–8.5, pGPx mRNA was more typically expressed in extra-embryonic tissues including ectoplacental cone, trophectoderm, and decidual cells than in embryos. However, after E9.5, pGPx mRNA and protein levels were increased in the embryos with differentiation and growth, but trended to gradually decrease in the extra-embryonic tissues until E18.5. In sectioned embryonic tissues on E13.5–18.5, pGPx mRNA and protein were mainly expressed in the developing nervous tissues, the sensory organs, and the epithelia of lung, skin, and intestine, the heart and artery, and the kidney. In particular, pGPx immunoreactivity was very strong in the developing liver. These results indicate that pGPx is spatio-temporally expressed in various embryonic organs as well as extra-embryonic tissues, suggesting that pGPx may function to protect the embryos against endogenous and exogenous reactive oxygen species during organogenesis.     

Propylthiouracil is teratogenic in murine embryos

Background

Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is treated with the antithyroid drugs (ATD) propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI). PTU currently is recommended as the drug of choice during early pregnancy. Yet, despite widespread ATD use in pregnancy, formal studies of ATD teratogenic effects have not been performed.

Methods

We examined the teratogenic effects of PTU and MMI during embryogenesis in mice. To span different periods of embryogenesis, dams were treated with compounds or vehicle daily from embryonic day (E) 7.5 to 9.5 or from E3.5 to E7.5. Embryos were examined for gross malformations at E10.5 or E18.5 followed by histological and micro-CT analysis. Influences of PTU on gene expression levels were examined by RNA microarray analysis.

Results

When dams were treated from E7.5 to E9.5 with PTU, neural tube and cardiac abnormalities were observed at E10.5. Cranial neural tube defects were significantly more common among the PTU-exposed embryos than those exposed to MMI or vehicle. Blood in the pericardial sac, which is a feature indicative of abnormal cardiac function and/or abnormal vasculature, was observed more frequently in PTU-treated than MMI-treated or vehicle-treated embryos. Following PTU treatment, a total of 134 differentially expressed genes were identified. Disrupted genetic pathways were those associated with cytoskeleton remodeling and keratin filaments. At E 18.5, no gross malformations were evident in either ATD group, but the number of viable PTU embryos per dam at E18.5 was significantly lower from those at E10.5, indicating loss of malformed embryos. These data show that PTU exposure during embryogenesis is associated with delayed neural tube closure and cardiac abnormalities. In contrast, we did not observe structural or cardiac defects associated with MMI exposure except at the higher dose. We find that PTU exposure during embryogenesis is associated with fetal loss. These observations suggest that PTU has teratogenic potential.     

印记基因Dlk1在小鼠胚胎发育中的表达分析

目的:研究印记基因Dlk1在小鼠胚胎发育过程中的动态表达模式,以揭示Dlk1与胚胎发育的关系。方法:通过半定量PCR和定量PCR分析Dlk1在小鼠胚胎发育E8.5～E19.5的基因表达模式,并选取Dlk1表达量最高的时期进行胚胎切片原位杂交和组织定量PCR分析。结果:在小鼠胚胎发育E8.5～E15.5时,Dlk1的表达逐渐升高,在E15.5时表达量达到最高;E15.5～E19.5时,Dlk1表达有所下降,但仍然维持较高水平。E15.5切片原位杂交显示,垂体、肺脏、软骨、舌和背侧肌肉组织中Dlk1表达较高,组织定量PCR实验进一步证实了原文杂交的结果。结论:Dlk1在小鼠胚胎发育中后期持续表达,并呈现一定的组织特异性,对胚胎发育可能起重要的调节作用。     

Establishment of paternal allele-specific DNA methylation at the imprinted mouse Gtl2 locus

The monoallelic expression of imprinted genes is controlled by epigenetic factors including DNA methylation and histone modifications. In mouse, the imprinted gene Gtl2 is associated with two differentially methylated regions: the IG-DMR, which serves as a gametic imprinting mark at which paternal allele-specific DNA methylation is inherited from sperm, and the Gtl2-DMR, which acquires DNA methylation on the paternal allele after fertilization. The timeframe during which DNA methylation is acquired at secondary DMRs during post-fertilization development and the relationship between secondary DMRs and imprinted expression have not been well established. In order to better understand the role of secondary DMRs in imprinting, we examined the methylation status of the Gtl2-DMR in pre- and post-implantation embryos. Paternal allele-specific DNA methylation of this region correlates with imprinted expression of Gtl2 during post-implantation development but is not required to implement imprinted expression during pre-implantation development, suggesting that this secondary DMR may play a role in maintaining imprinted expression. Furthermore, our developmental profile of DNA methylation patterns at the Cdkn1c- and Gtl2-DMRs illustrates that the temporal acquisition of DNA methylation at imprinted genes during post-fertilization development is not universally controlled.Key words: genomic imprinting, DNA methylation, Gtl2, secondary DMR, epigenetics