ADAM19 在小鼠睾丸发育中的时空表达

目的 阐明含有去整合素和金属蛋白酶结构域的跨膜蛋白19(ADAM19)在小鼠睾丸发育中的作用.方法 采用半定量RT-PCR和免疫组化两种实验方法,分别检测ADAM19 mRNA和蛋白质在小鼠睾丸发育中的时空表达.结果 ①最早在胚胎发育的15.5 d才能检测到ADAM19 mRNA的表达,后其表达随着胚胎发育天数的增加而逐渐升高,到围产期表达水平达到最高.出生后,ADAM19 mRNA的表达呈现显著下降的趋势,到成体睾丸中就几乎检测不到ADAM19的表达.②和其mRNA表达变化趋势一样,ADAM19蛋白也是首次在胚胎发育的15.5 d被检测到,一直持续存在到出生后一周,一周后则几乎检测不到;阳性表达信号主要定位在睾丸的曲细精管(睾索)中.结论 ADAM19 在小鼠睾丸中的表达具有显著的发育依赖性.     

Comprehensive Expression of Wnt Signaling Pathway Genes during Development and Maturation of the Mouse Cochlea

Background

In the inner ear Wnt signaling is necessary for proliferation, cell fate determination, growth of the cochlear duct, polarized orientation of stereociliary bundles, differentiation of the periotic mesenchyme, and homeostasis of the stria vascularis. In neonatal tissue Wnt signaling can drive proliferation of cells in the sensory region, suggesting that Wnt signaling could be used to regenerate the sensory epithelium in the damaged adult inner ear. Manipulation of Wnt signaling for regeneration will require an understanding of the dynamics of Wnt pathway gene expression in the ear. We present a comprehensive screen for 84 Wnt signaling related genes across four developmental and postnatal time points.

Results

We identified 72 Wnt related genes expressed in the inner ear on embryonic day (E) 12.5, postnatal day (P) 0, P6 and P30. These genes included secreted Wnts, Wnt antagonists, intracellular components of canonical signaling and components of non-canonical signaling/planar cell polarity.

Conclusion

A large number of Wnt signaling molecules were dynamically expressed during cochlear development and in the early postnatal period, suggesting complex regulation of Wnt transduction. The data revealed several potential key regulators for further study.     

Mouse Hair Cycle Expression Dynamics Modeled as Coupled Mesenchymal and Epithelial Oscillators

The hair cycle is a dynamic process where follicles repeatedly move through phases of growth, retraction, and relative quiescence. This process is an example of temporal and spatial biological complexity. Understanding of the hair cycle and its regulation would shed light on many other complex systems relevant to biological and medical research. Currently, a systematic characterization of gene expression and summarization within the context of a mathematical model is not yet available. Given the cyclic nature of the hair cycle, we felt it was important to consider a subset of genes with periodic expression. To this end, we combined several mathematical approaches with high-throughput, whole mouse skin, mRNA expression data to characterize aspects of the dynamics and the possible cell populations corresponding to potentially periodic patterns. In particular two gene clusters, demonstrating properties of out-of-phase synchronized expression, were identified. A mean field, phase coupled oscillator model was shown to quantitatively recapitulate the synchronization observed in the data. Furthermore, we found only one configuration of positive-negative coupling to be dynamically stable, which provided insight on general features of the regulation. Subsequent bifurcation analysis was able to identify and describe alternate states based on perturbation of system parameters. A 2-population mixture model and cell type enrichment was used to associate the two gene clusters to features of background mesenchymal populations and rapidly expanding follicular epithelial cells. Distinct timing and localization of expression was also shown by RNA and protein imaging for representative genes. Taken together, the evidence suggests that synchronization between expanding epithelial and background mesenchymal cells may be maintained, in part, by inhibitory regulation, and potential mediators of this regulation were identified. Furthermore, the model suggests that impairing this negative regulation will drive a bifurcation which may represent transition into a pathological state such as hair miniaturization.     

检控蛋白Rad17在小鼠睾丸精子发生过程中的表达及其磷酸化变化

Rad17是细胞周期检控点信号转导过程中的一个关键检控蛋白,在DNA损伤检控和DNA复制检控中具有重要功能。但Rad17在细胞减数分裂中的检控作用还不是很清楚。因细胞减数分裂在睾丸组织中非常活跃,应用Western印迹检测Rad17在不同发育时期的小鼠睾丸组织中的表达及其磷酸化水平,并应用免疫组化的方法检测小鼠睾丸组织不同时期生殖细胞内Rad17的表达变化。结果显示Rad17在小鼠睾丸组织内高表达,而在肝、肾等组织中表达水平较低;Rad17在不同周龄的小鼠睾丸组织中均高水平表达,但在4周龄以后的小鼠睾丸组织中其磷酸化水平明显升高;免疫组化结果显示Rad17在精原细胞、精母细胞的细胞核中高表达,但在成熟精子细胞中消失。这些结果提示Rad17在小鼠睾丸生殖细胞减数分裂过程中也起重要检控作用。     

小鼠睾丸特异基因在生精细胞中阶段性表达的定量分析

在Balb/c小鼠精子发生过程中,许多基因都具有严格的时空表达特性.实验利用半定量RT-PCR验证了12个小鼠精子发生相关基因的组织学分布,采用SYBR Green I荧光定量PCR分析了它们在不同发育阶段生精细胞中的差异表达.结果显示,所有基因仅在睾丸组织中高表达;Prm1、Prm2、Tnp1、Tnp2在长形精子细胞中的表达水平最高,分别是粗线期精母细胞阶段的1.9、2.8、3.2和2倍;Dnajb3呈上调表达,在长形精子细胞中的含量是粗线期精母细胞阶段的2.5倍;Akap4在长形精子细胞阶段的表达水平尤为突出,是粗线期精母细胞的5.5倍;Spata3和Spata4在圆形及长形精子细胞中的表达量相近,分别是粗线期精母细胞阶段的3倍和1.5倍;hils1和Tex24在圆形精子细胞阶段的表达水平最高,分别是粗线期精母细胞阶段的1.9和1.4倍;Spag41和Papo1b从粗线期精母细胞到长形精于细胞阶段呈明显的下调表达,分别下降了45%和34%.结果提示,被检测的基因具有明显的阶段特异性表达特征,为深入研究这些基因在小鼠精子发生过程中的作用提供了新资料,同时也为荧光定量PCR技术在精子发生相关基因定量表达研究中的可行性提供了充分例证.     

LIM结构域蛋白KyoT在成年小鼠睾丸的表达

报道了KyoT在成年小鼠体内的表达,以便进一步研究KyoT在体内的功能。为研究KyoT mRNA及蛋白质水平的表达,采用Northern印迹、RT－PCR、免疫组织化学SABC和原位杂交方法。睾丸中两种KyoT的mRNA水平均很高,睾丸间质细胞的免疫化学反应阳性,阳性物质分布于细胞质内,细胞核呈阴性反应。同样,KyoT的mRNA在睾丸间质细胞杂交信号呈阳性反应,阳性物亦分布于细胞质内,细胞核呈阴性反应。生精细胞及对照组均为阴性。上述结果提示睾丸中有KyoT的表达,且特异性分布于睾丸间质细胞。     

An Alternative Pathway Mediates the Mouse and Human Cone Visual Cycle

One of the fundamental mysteries of the human visual system is the continuous function of cone photoreceptors in bright daylight. As visual pigment is destroyed, or bleached, by light [1], cones require its rapid regeneration, which in turn involves rapid recycling of the pigment's chromophore. The canonical visual cycle for rod and cone pigments involves recycling of their chromophore from all-trans retinol to 11-cis retinal in the pigment epithelium, adjacent to photoreceptors [2]. However, shortcomings of this pathway indicate the function of a second, cone-specific, mechanism for chromophore recycling [3]. Indeed, biochemical [3], [4], [5], [6] and [7] and physiological [8] studies on lower species have described a cone-specific visual cycle in addition to the long-known pigment epithelium pathway. Two important questions remain, however: what is the role of this pathway in the function of mammalian cones, and is it present in higher mammals, including humans? Here, we show that mouse, primate, and human neural retinas promote pigment regeneration and dark adaptation selectively in cones, but not in rods. This pathway supports rapid dark adaptation of mammalian cones and extends their dynamic range in background light independently of the pigment epithelium. This pigment-regeneration mechanism is essential for our daytime vision and appears to be evolutionarily conserved.     

Drosophila Cyclin G Is a Regulator of the Notch Signalling Pathway during Wing Development

Notch signalling regulates a multitude of differentiation processes during Drosophila development. For example, Notch activity is required for proper wing vein differentiation which is hampered in mutants of either the receptor Notch, the ligand Delta or the antagonist Hairless. Moreover, the Notch pathway is involved in several aspects of Drosophila oogenesis as well. We have identified Drosophila Cyclin G (CycG) as a molecular interaction partner of Hairless, the major antagonist in the Notch signalling pathway, in vitro and in vivo. Loss of CycG was shown before to cause female sterility and to disturb the architecture of the egg shell. Nevertheless, Notch dependent processes during oogenesis appeared largely unaffected in cycG mutant egg chambers. Loss of CycG modified the dominant wing phenotypes of Notch, Delta and Hairless mutants. Whereas the Notch loss of function phenotype was ameliorated by a loss of CycG, the phenotypes of either Notch gain of function or of Delta or Hairless loss of function were enhanced. In contrast, loss of CycG had only a minor effect on the wing vein phenotype of mutants affecting the EGFR signalling pathway emphasizing the specificity of the interaction of CycG and Notch pathway members.     

小鼠睾丸生精细胞凋亡相关基因SRG2的分子克隆及其在隐睾中的表达特征

从已获得的在隐睾和正常睾丸对照中表达量有明显差异的EST片段(BE644542)入手,利用网上生物信息学克隆了SRG2基因全长,GenBank登录号为AF395083。从小鼠睾丸cDNA文库中分离出该基因完整阅读框cDNA,SRG2基因的cDNA全长为1088bp,为编码295个氨基酸、分子量为33579kD、等电点为9．64的蛋白质,与人类同源基因TSARG2相似性为78％,而与其他已知蛋白质无明显同源性。RT-PCR结果表明：该基因只在睾丸中有高表达。应用新型的分子信标检测该基因在不同时期隐睾中的mRNA表达水平,发现该基因呈明显上调,证明该基因在隐睾的发生发展中具重要作用。     

通过睾丸内注射转染外源DNA在小鼠精子的表达

为研究睾丸内注射外源DNA法生产转基因小鼠(Mus musculus)的可行性,并探讨注射DNA的最佳浓度。将环形的质粒DNA pEGFP-N1与脂质体混合制备DNA-脂质体复合物,按DNA浓度不同分为0.08μg/μl、0.12μg/μl和0.24μg/μl3组,分别注射入成年SPF级昆明小鼠睾丸内,同时设空白对照;每组处理公鼠2只,注射5d后每只与3只成年母鼠同笼,20d后在荧光显微镜下检测公鼠附睾精子,并制作睾丸石蜡切片,检测绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)的表达;PCR法检测各组后代阳性率。结果显示,3组小鼠附睾荧光精子比例分别为9.09%、47.06%和27.78%。3组小鼠的睾丸石蜡切片中均可看到不同强度的GFP表达。后代经PCR检测阳性率分别为17.26%、47.61%和22.11%。本实验证实了睾丸注射法能使外源DNA整合进入精子基因组,并能在自身和后代中得到表达,本研究中外源DNA注射浓度以0.12μg/μl效果为最佳。     

Expression of Catenins during Mouse Embryonic Development and in Adult Tissues

Classical cadherins are cell-surface glycoproteins that mediate calcium-dependent cell adhesion. The cytoplasmic domain of these glycoproteins is linked to the cytoskeleton through the catenins (α, β and γ). The catenins are intracellular polypeptides that are part of a complex sub-membranous network modulating the adhesive ability of the cells. One approach to elucidate the role of these molecules in the cell is to investigate their distribution during mouse development and in adult tissues. This study reports that catenins are widely expressed but in varying amounts in embryos and adult tissues. The expression of all three catenins is most prominent in the adult heart muscle and in epithelia of all developmental stages. In other embryonic and adult tissues, lower expression of catenins was detected, e.g., in smooth muscle or connective tissue. Catenins are coexpressed with various cadherins in different tissues. Gastrulation is the first time during embryogenesis when a discrepancy occurs between the expression of catenins and E-cadherin. E-cadherin expression is suppressed in mesodermal cells but not the expression of catenins. This discrepancy suggests that another cadherin may interact with catenins. Similarly, E-cadherin is generally expressed in adult liver but not in the regions surrounding the central veins. In contrast, catenins are uniformly expressed in the liver, suggesting that they are associated with other cadherins in E-cadherin negative cells. Finally, the three catenins are not always concurrently expressed. For example, in peripheral nerves, only β-catenin is observable, and in smooth muscle plakoglobin is not detectable.     

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。     

Analysis of Kif5b Expression during Mouse Kidney Development

Recent studies showed that kidney-specific inactivation of Kif3a produces kidney cysts and renal failure, suggesting that kinesin-mediated intracellular transportation is important for the establishement and maintenance of renal epithelial cell polarity and normal nephron functions. Kif5b, one of the most conserved kinesin heavy chain, is the mouse homologue of the human ubiquitous Kinesin Heavy Chain (uKHC). In order to elucidate the role of Kif5b in kidney development and function, it is essential to establish its expression profile within the organ. Therefore, in this study, we examined the expression pattern of Kif5b in mouse kidney. Kidneys from embryonic (E) 12.5-, 16.5-dpc (days post coitus) mouse fetuses, from postnatal (P) day 0, 10, 20 pups and from adult mice were collected. The distribution of Kif5b was analyzed by immunostaining. The possible involvement of Kif5b in kidney development was investigated in conditional mutant mice by using a Cre-LoxP strategy. This study showed that the distribution of Kif5b displayed spatiotemporal changes during postnatal kidney development. In kidneys of new born mice, Kif5b was strongly expressed in all developing tubules and in the ureteric bud, but not in the glomerulus or in other early-developing structures, such as the cap mesenchyme, the comma-shaped body, and the S-shaped body. In kidneys of postnatal day 20 or of older mice, however, Kif5b was localized selectively in the basolateral domain of epithelial cells of the thick ascending loop of Henle, as well as of the distal convoluted tubule, with little expression being observed in the proximal tubule or in the collecting duct. Conditional knock-down of Kif5b in mouse kidney did not result in detectable morphological defects, but it did lead to a decrease in cell proliferation rate and also to a mislocalization of Na⁺/K⁺/-ATPase, indicating that although Kif5b is non-essential for kidney morphogenesis, it is important for nephron maturation.     

Notch信号途径在Bregs发育及口服耐受中的作用

目的:调节性B细胞(Bregs)是近年来确认的一类具有负向免疫调节功能的B细胞亚群,在免疫反应中通过IL-10发挥调节功能,又称为B10细胞,其表型为CD19+CD5+CD1dhigh,在多种疾病中发挥重要的调节作用,但关于Bregs的发育及发挥调节功能的具体机制尚不明确。Notch信号途径是调控细胞双向亚群和双向功能分化的重要信号途径,在T/B细胞分化、CD4/CD8细胞等细胞发育中发挥重要的作用,但其在B10细胞发育及其免疫应答中调控作用尚不明确。本研究利用特异性在B细胞剔除Notch信号分子RBP-J基因的小鼠,分析Notch信号对Bregs发育及口服耐受的影响。方法:将CD19-Cre小鼠与RBP-Jflox小鼠交配,获得CD19-Cre/RBP-Jf/f基因型小鼠,流式细胞仪分析该小鼠CD19+CD5+CD1dhighB10细胞及体外刺激后产生IL-10的B10细胞数量;制备口服免疫耐受模型,分析Notch信号缺失对B10细胞发育和功能的影响。结果:B细胞特异性敲除RBP-J基因的小鼠的CD19+CD5+CD1dhighBregs数量及体外刺激后产生IL-10的B10细胞数量比杂合子小鼠显著降低;且在口服免疫耐受模型中血清IgE水平显著升高。结论:Notch信号敲除后,脾脏Bregs及其产生IL-10减少,在口服耐受中不能产生耐受,Notch信号可能促进Bregs发育,并通过IL-10参与调控口服耐受。