• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.668-676
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• 2015

Pluripotent stem cells only exist in a narrow window during early embryonic development, whereas multipotent stem cells are abundant throughout embryonic development and are retainedin various adult tissues and organs. While pluripotent stem cell lines have been established from several species, including mouse, rat, and human, it is still challenging to establish stable multipotent stem cell lines from embryonic or adult tissues. Based on current knowledge, we anticipate that by manipulating extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways, most if not all types of stem cells can be maintained in a long-term culture. In this article, we summarize current culture conditions established for the long-term maintenance of authentic pluripotent and multipotent stem cells and the signaling pathways involved. We also discuss the general principles of stem cell maintenance and propose several strategies on the establishment of novel stem cell lines through manipulation of signaling pathways.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.235-245
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• 2009

Embryonic stem (ES) cells have a capability to generate all types of cells. However, the mechanism by which ES cells differentiate into specific cell is still unclear. Using microarray technology, the differentiation process in mouse embryonic stem cells was characterized by temporal gene expression changes of mouse ES cells during differentiation in a monolayer culture. A large number of genes were differentially regulated from 1 day to 14 days, and less number of genes were differentially expressed from 14 days to 28 days. The number of up-regulated genes was linearly increased throughout the 28 days of in vitro differentiation, while the number of down-regulated genes reached the plateau from 14 days to 28 days. Most differentially expressed genes were functionally classified into transcriptional regulation, development, extra cellular matrix (ECM),cytoskeleton organization, cytokines, receptors, RNA processing, DNA replication, chromatin assembly, proliferation and apoptosis related genes. While genes encoding ECM proteins were up-regulated, most of the genes related to proliferation, chromatin assembly, DNA replication, RNA processing, and cytoskeleton organization were down-regulated at 14 days. Genes known to be associated with embryo development or transcriptional regulation were differentially expressed mostly after 14 days of differentiation. These results indicate that the altered expression of ECM genes constitute an early event during the spontaneous differentiation, followed by the inhibition of proliferation and lineage specification. Our study might identify useful time-points for applying selective treatments for directed differentiation of mouse ES cells.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.285-295
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• 2019

Junction-mediating and regulatory protein (JMY) is a regulator of both transcription and actin filament assembly. The actin-regulatory activity of JMY is based on a cluster of three actin-binding Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein homology 2 (WH2) domains that nucleate actin filaments directly and promote nucleation of the Arp2/3 complex. In addition to these activities, we examined the activity of JMY generation in early embryo of mice carrying mutations in the JMY gene by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome engineering. We demonstrated that JMY protein shuttled expression between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Knockout of exon 2, CA (central domain and Arp2/3-binding acidic domain) and NLS-2 (nuclear localization signal domain) on the JMY gene by CRISPR/Cas9 system was effective and markedly impeded embryonic development. Additionally, it impaired transcription and zygotic genome activation (ZGA)-related genes. These results suggest that JMY acts as a transcription factor, which is essential for the early embryonic development in mice.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.122-125
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• 2012

This study was aimed for a development of a useful gene promoter which has a transcript expressional specificity in the early embryonic period of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. To select a useful gene expressed in the early embryonic stage, we constructed and analyzed a PCR-base subtraction cDNA library. In subtractive hybridization analysis, we confirmed four clones as differently expressed genes(BmNanos-like, BmNanos-P, BmNanos-O, BmVasa mRNAs). Northern hybridization and real time PCR results reveled that the BmNanos-like gene promoter is suitable for the silkworm transgenic vector system. Further defined studies on molecular functions and biological roles of their promoters will give us well-fined information and its application.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2010

Effects of different salinity levels on spawning performance, embryonic development and early viability of a euryhaline medaka species, Oryzias dancena, were examined. O. dancena were able to spawn eggs in a wide range of salinity from 0 to 70$^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$, however, the spawning frequency was lowered in complete freshwater (0$^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$) and in highly salted water (70$^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$). Fertilization success was negatively affected when the environmental salinity was higher than the salt concentration found in normal seawater. Embryonic viability and hatching success were also inversely related with the salinity levels. Typical abnormality was observed in developing embryos incubated at high salinities (30, 45 and 60$^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$). In addition, the time to hatch was significantly delayed with increasing salinities: peak hatching occurred at 12~14 days post fertilization (dpf) in freshwater and at least at 17 to 18 dpf in 60$^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$. Mean survival rates of the hatched larvae up to 7 days post hatching (dph) were at least 97% in salinity levels ranging from 0 to 30$^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$. However, larvae reared in 45 and 60$^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$ experienced significant mortality, especially in the early phase, resulting in only 75% and 64% survival rates up to 7 dph, respectively.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2008

The Zic family is a group of genes encoding zinc finger proteins that are highly expressed in the mammalian cerebellum. Zic genes are the vertebrate homologue of Drosophila pair-rule gene, odd-paired(opa), which plays important roles in the parasegmental subdivision as well as in the visceral mesoderm development of Drosophila embryos. Recent studies on human, mouse, frog, fish and ascidian Zic homologues support that Zic genes are involved in a variety of developmental processes, including neurogenesis, myogenesis, skeletal patterning, and left-right axis establishment. In an effort to explore possible functions of Zic proteins during vertebrate embryogenesis, we initially examined more detailed expression pattern of zebrafish homologue of zic3(zic3z). zic3z transcripts are detected in the neuroectoderm, neural plate, dorsal neural tube, and brain regions including eye field during early embryonic development. Marker DNA studies found that zic3z transcription is modulated by BMP, Wnt, and Nodal signals particularly in the dorsal and vegetal neuroectoderm at gastrula. Interfering with zic3z translation with zic3z-specific morpholino causes abnormal brain formation and expansion of the optic stalk cells. Retinal ganglion cells(RGCs) undergo abnormal neuronal differentiation. These findings suggest that zic3z defines the dorsal and vegetal neuroectoderm to specify brain formation and retinal neurogenesis during early embryonic development.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.139-143
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• 2014

Different with other fishes, the guppies (Poecilia reticulata) is ovoviviparity, which retain their fertilized eggs within the follicle throughout gestation. The synchronously growing diplotene oocytes store nutrients in droplets and yolk, before their maturation and fertilization. The lecithotrophic strategy of development entails the provisioning of embryos with resources from the maternal yolk deposit rather than from a placenta, it allows the extracorporeal culture of guppy embryo. Studies on their early development of live bearers like the guppy including lineage tracing and genetic manipulations, have been limited. Therefore, to optimize conditions of embryo in vitro culture, explanted embryos from pregnant females were incubated in embryo medium (L-15 medium, supplemented with 5, 10, 15, 20% fetal bovine serum, respectively). We investigated whether the contents of FBS in vitro culture medium impact the development of embryos, and whether they would hatch in vitro. Our study found that in 5% of FBS of the medium, although embryos developed significantly slower in vitro than in the ovary, it was impossible to exactly quantify the developmental delay in culture, due to the obvious spread in developmental stage within each batch of eggs, and embryos can only be maintained until the early-eyed. And although in culture with 20% FBS the embryos can sustain rapid development of early stage, but cannot be cultured for the entire period of their embryonic development and ultimately died. In the medium with 10% and 15% FBS, the embryos seems well developed, even some can continue to grow after follicle ruptures until it can be fed. We also observed that embryonic in these two culture conditions were significantly different in development speed, in 15% it is faster than 10%. But 10% FBS appears to be more optimizing condition than 15% one on development process of embryos and survival rate to larvae stage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2009

Lmbr1 is regarded as a key gene that controls the digital model formation in early developmental stages of the chicken. However, there are few reports of lmbr1 expression levels and tendencies in 4-toe and 5-toe chicken species. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the lmbr1 expression in White Leghorn (4-toe) and Chinese Silky (5-toe). Firstly, total RNA was extracted from 14 different embryonic development stages (HH3 to HH31) in White Leghorn and Chinese Silky. Secondly, dramatic gene expression changes of lmbr1 were monitored by RT-PCR, which indicated a general up-down-up tendency with subtle differences between these two species. Moreover, Q-PCR reactions were performed to quantitate the expression level of lmbr1 in the 14 selected developmental stages. These data demonstrated a first lmbr1 expression peak of 18.68 and 15.32, a lmbr1 expression trough of 6.61 and 1.80, and a second lmbr1 expression peak of 22.33 and 12.48 in White Leghorn and Chinese Silky, respectively. Finally, embryonic in situ hybridization analysis identified that lmbr1 expressed in the ectoderm in HH21, HH23 and HH24 developmental stages in both species.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.269-275
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• 1989

Early embryo development and implantation were arrested in ICR mice which were passively immunized with a mouse monoclonal progesterone amtibody given as a single intraperitoneal injection at 12 hrs or 60 hrs post coitum (p. c.). Unimplanted embryos were recovered from the reproductive tract of the antibody-treated mice and none of these progressed to the blastocyst stage. The most pronounced effect was an arrest of embryonic development at a stage prior to cavitation. The plasma progesterone concentration in the blood taken by carbiac puncture increased greatly after the treatment by virtue of high affinity binding by the antibody in circulation. The result showed that passive immunization against progesterone shortly after mating interfered with early hormone dependent steps which were essential for normal embryonic development.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 1994

This experiment was arried out to investigate the development of ea4y rabbit embryos in vivo. Twenty-six New Zealand White does were superovulated by treatment with PMSG(Intervet Co; I. M single injection, 150. U./rabbit) followed 3 day later by simultaneous I.V injection of 100 I.U HCG (Intervet Co, )and natural service with fertile male. All of does was killed at the specific times (24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 50 and 93 h post-hCG) to find out the early embryonic development in vivo respectively. Embryos at the specified stages of development were obtained at the following times after injection of hCG; one-ceH at 24 h, two-cell at 24~27h, four-cell at 27~36 h, morulae at 50 h and early blasto-cyst at 93 h and expanded or hatching blastocyst at 144 h. Number of embryos recovered per rabbit superovulated was 26.1 and average of recovery rate was 83.7%. The results suggest that superovulation was efficient for the increase of embryo number in rabbits, and as shown in results, asynchronous cleavage was prevalent among the recovered embryos.