• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제23권2호
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2008

This study investigated the developmental ability and gene expression of somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos using ear skin fibroblast cells derived from miniature pig. When miniature pig (m) and landrace pig (p) were used as donor cells, there were no differences in cleavage (79.2 vs. 78.2%) and blastocyst rates (27.4 vs. 29.7%). However, mNT blastocysts showed significantly higher apoptosis rate than that of pNT blastocysts (6.1 vs. 1.7%) (p<0.05). The number of nuclei in pNT blastosysts was significantly higher than that of mNT (35.8 vs. 29.3) (p<0.05). Blastocysts were analyzed using Realtime RT-PCR to determine the expression of Bax-${\alpha}$, Bcl-xl, H19, IGF2, IGF2r and Xist. Bax-${\alpha}$ was higher in mNT blastocyst than pNT blastocyst (p<0.05). There was no difference in Bcl-xl between two NT groups. Bax-${\alpha}$/Bcl-xl was, however, significantly higher in mNT blastocyst compared to pNT. The expression of imprinting genes were aberrant in blastocysts derived from NT compared to in vivo blastocysts. H19 and IGF2r were significantly lower in mNT blastocysts (p<0.05). The expression of IGF2 and Xist was similar in two NT groups. However, imprinting genes were expressed aberrantly in mNT compared to pNT blastocysts. The present results suggest that the NT between donor cells derived from miniature pig and recipient oocytes derived from crossbred pig might affect reprogramming of donor cell, resulting in high apoptosis and aberrant expression patterns of imprinting genes.

• 농업과학연구
• /
• 제43권1호
• /
• pp.72-79
• /
• 2016

It has long been known that nutritional and environmental influences during the early developmental period affect the biological mechanisms which determine animal metabolism. This phenomenon, termed 'metabolic imprinting', can cause subtle but long-lasting responses to prenatal and postnatal nutrition and even be passed onto the next generation. A large amount of research data shows that nutrient availability, in terms of quantity as well as quality, during the early developing stages can decrease the number of newborn piglets and their body weight and increase their susceptibility to death before weaning. However, investigation of potential mechanisms of 'the metabolic imprinting' effect have been scant. Therefore, it remains unknown which factors are responsible for embryonic and early postnatal nutrition and which factors are major determinants of body weight and number of new born piglets. Intrauterine undernutrition, for example, was studied using a rat model providing dams 50% restricted nutrients during pregnancy and the results showed significant decreases in birth weight of newborns. This response may be a characteristic of a subset of modulations in embryonic development which is caused by the metabolic imprinting. Underlying mechanisms of intrauterine undernutrition and growth retardation can be explained in part by epigenetics. Epigenetics modulate animal phenotypes without changes in DNA sequences. Epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation, chromatin modification and small non-coding RNA-associated gene silencing. Precise mechanisms must be identified at the morphologic, cellular, and molecular levels by using interdisciplinary nutrigenomics approaches to increase pig production. Experimental approaches for explaining these potential mechanisms will be discussed in this review.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제27권6호
• /
• pp.635-640
• /
• 2009

Testis-derived germline stem (GS) cells can undergo reprogramming to acquire multipotency when cultured under appropriate culture conditions. These multipotent GS (mGS) cells have been known to differ from GS cells in their DNA methylation pattern. In this study, we examined the DNA methylation status of the H19 imprinting control region (ICR) in multipotent adult germline stem (maGS) cells to elucidate how epigenetic imprints are altered by culture conditions. DNA methylation was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing PCR of established maGS cells cultured in the presence of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) alone or both GDNF and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The results showed that the H19 ICR in maGS cells of both groups was hypermethylated and had an androgenetic pattern similar to that of GS cells. In line with these data, the relative abundance of the Igf2 mRNA transcript was two-fold higher and that of H19 was three fold lower than in control embryonic stem cells. The androgenetic DNA methylation pattern of the H19 ICR was maintained even after 54 passages. Furthermore, differentiating maGS cells from retinoic acid-treated embryoid bodies maintained the androgenetic imprinting pattern of the H19 ICR. Taken together these data suggest that our maGS cells are epigenetically stable for the H19 gene during in vitro modifications. Further studies on the epigenetic regulation and chromatin structure of maGS cells are therefore necessary before their full potential can be utilized in regenerative medicine.

• 한국동물번식학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국동물번식학회 2002년도 춘계학술발표대회 발표논문초록집
• /
• pp.10-10
• /
• 2002

The low efficiency of animal production by nuclear transfer technique is considered to be result of an incomplete reprogramming of the donor cell nucleus, which leads to a lack of, or abnormal expression of developmentally important genes. There are a lot of genes related to embryo development and some of these genes are regulated by imprinting. IGF2 (insulin like growth factor 2) and IGF2R (IGF2 receptor) that play important roles in preimplantation development are included in imprinted genes also. (omitted)

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권18호
• /
• pp.7799-7803
• /
• 2014

Background: To determine the imprinting status of the IGF2 in Chinese patients with primary lung cancer and to analyze the clinical significance of the loss of imprinting (LOI) of IGF2. Materials and Methods: PCRRFLP and RT-PCR-RFLP were carried out to select heterozygous cases for the ApaI polymorphism within exon 9 of the IGF2 gene and further analyze IGF2 LOI in 64 lung cancer patients, respectively. Results: Of 64 lung cancer patients, 31 were heterozygous for IGF2. The positive rates of IGF2 LOI of lung cancer foci, matched paracancer tissues, and normal lung tissues were 77.4% (24/31), 61.3% (19/31), and 29.0% (9/31), respectively. The LOI differences for IGF2 among the three groups were statistically significant (${\chi}^2=15.267$, p=0.000), and the LOI frequency of IGF2 in normal lung tissue was significantly lower than that in lung cancer foci and paracancer tissues (${\chi}^2=14.577$, p=0.000; ${\chi}^2=6.513$, p=0.011). No statistical difference was observed between the lung tumor group and the matched paracancer group (${\chi}^2=1.897$, p=0.168). The prevalence of advanced clinical stages (${\chi}^2=2.379$; p=0.017) and lymph node metastasis (${\chi}^2=5.552$; p=0.018) was significantly higher for LOI-positive paracancer tissues than for LOI-negative paracancer tissues. Conclusions: IGF2 LOI is highly frequent in Chinese primary lung cancer patients, especially those with increased risk of lymph node metastasis and advanced clinical stages. IGF2 LOI may be an early epigenetic event in human lung carcinogenesis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• 제32권3호
• /
• pp.183-191
• /
• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the development and gene expression in miniature pig nuclear transfer (mNT) embryos produced under different osmolarity culture conditions. Control group of mNT embryos was cultured in PZM-3 for 6 days. Treatment group of mNT embryos was cultured in modified PZM-3 with NaCl (mPZM-3, 320 mOsmol) for 2 days, and then cultured in PZM-3 (270 mOsmol) for 4 days. Blastocyst formation rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than the control and the apoptosis rate was significantly lower in treatment group. Bax-$\alpha$ and caspase-3 mRNA expression were significantly higher in the control than the treatment group. Also, the majority of imprinting genes were expressed aberrantly in in vitro produced mNT blastocysts compared to in vivo derived blastocyst H19 and Xist mRNA expression were significantly lower in the control than the treatment group or in vivo. IGF2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the control than the treatment group or in vivo. IGF2r mRNA expression was significantly lower in the control. Methylation profiles of individual DNA strands in H19 upstream T-DMR sequences showed a similar methylation status between treatment group and in vivo. These results indicate that the modification of osmolarity in culture medium at early culture stage could provide more beneficial culture environments for mNT embryos.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• 제14권1호
• /
• pp.18-22
• /
• 2017

Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1b (PHP 1b) is the result of end organ resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the absence of any features of Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy. There are two subtypes of PHP 1b with different genetic mechanisms. One subtype is related to a maternally derived 3kb microdeletion involving STX 16 gene, and is inherited in an autosomal dominant mode. Familial autosomal dominant inheritance of PHP 1b is relatively rare. The other subtype is associated with more extensive loss of imprinting at the GNAS locus that affects at least one additional differential methylated (hypermethylation at neuroendocrine secretory protein and hypomethylation at antisense transcript and or extra-large stimulatory G protein region) without microdeletion of the STX 16 or AS gene. It can be sporadic due to an imprinting defect in the GNAS gene. In our case, an 8-year-old girl was referred for suspected PHP with no feature of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy. Blood test results revealed hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Elevated PTH was also checked. There was no family history of endocrine or developmental problem. Her intelligence was normal, but she had inferior sociability at that time. Based on above, we diagnosed a rare case of paternal uniparental disomy of the long arm of chromosome 20 as the cause of PHP 1b by microsatellite marker test of chromosome 20.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
• /
• 제5권1호
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2021

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental genomic imprinting disorder involving a lack of gene expression from the paternal chromosome 15q11-q13 region. This is typically due to paternal 15q11-q13 deletions (in approximately 60% of cases), maternal uniparental disomy 15, or when both 15s are from the mother (about 35% of cases). An imprinting center controls the expression of imprinted genes in the chromosome 15q11-q13 region. PWS is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by mental retardation and distinct physical, behavioral, and psychiatric features. Characteristic behavioral disturbances in PWS include excessive interest in food, skin picking, difficulty with a change in routine, temper tantrums, obsessive and compulsive behaviors, and mood fluctuations. Individuals with PWS typically have intellectual disabilities (borderline to mild/moderate mental retardation) and exhibit a higher overall level of behavior disturbances compared to individuals with similar intellectual disabilities. This condition severely limits social adaptations and quality of life. Different factors have been linked to the intensity and form of these behavioral disturbances, but there is no consensus regarding the cause. Consequently, there is still controversy surrounding management strategies and there is a need for new data. PWS is a multisystem disorder. Family members, caregivers, physicians, dieticians, and speech-language pathologists all play an important role in the management and treatment of symptoms in an individual with PWS. Here we analyze behavioral problems in children and adults with PWS by age and review appropriate management and treatment strategies for these symptoms.

• 한국동물번식학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국동물번식학회 2003년도 학술발표대회 발표논문초록집
• /
• pp.28-28
• /
• 2003

Haploid parthenotes have been shown to be developmentally delayed compared with diploid parthenogenetic embryos in the mouse and pig. These developmental defects have been hypothesized to rusult from insufficient parthenogenetic activation, suboptimal in vitro culture conditions, or genemic imprinting. In the present study we compared the incidence of apoptosis and apoptosis related gene expression in pig haploid, diploid parthenotes and fertilized embryos. In vitro matured porcine oocytes were activated by electrical stimulation. Haploid activated oocytes with two polar bodies under stereomicroscopy were defined haploid parthenotes, oocytes with one polar body were defined as diploid parthenotes after 3h cycloheximide teatment. The morphological analysis of apoptosis in embryos was carried out using propidium iodide staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling. The expression of Bcl-xL, Bak and P53 in haploid, diploid and in vivo fertilized blastocysts was determined using RT-PCR. Lower number of the haploid pig parthenotes developed to the morulae and blastocysts compared to the diploid parthnotes. Number of cells significantly lower in the haploid-derived blastocysts than diploid-derived it. Developmentally retarded haploid parthenotes exibited apoptosis at a significantly higher frequency than did diploid parthenotes and fertilized embryos. Level of Bcl-xL expression, diploid parthenotes similar to in vivo-derived it was higher than haploid parthenotes. However, Bak and P53 mRNA expression were not different among haploid, diploid, and fertilized embryos. This result suggested that parthenogenetic activation and parthenogenesis themselves do not cause apoptosis, but haploid increases the incidence of apoptosis in preimplantation embryos. Apoptosis may be due to decrease expression of Bcl-xL in haploid parthenotes developing in vitro.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• 제36권1호
• /
• pp.33-37
• /
• 2012

Differential capacity of the parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (PESCs) is still under controversy and the mechanisms of its neural induction are yet poorly understood. Here we demonstrated neural lineage induction of PESCs by addition of insulin-like growth factor-2 (Igf2), which is an important factor for embryo organ development and a paternally expressed imprinting gene. Murine PESCs were aggregated to embryoid bodies (EBs) by suspension culture under the leukemia inhibitory factor-free condition for 4 days. To test the effect of exogenous Igf2, 30 ng/ml of Igf2 was supplemented to EBs induction medium. Then neural induction was carried out with serum-free medium containing insulin, transferrin, selenium, and fibronectin complex (ITSFn) for 12 days. Normal murine embryonic stem cells derived from fertilized embryos (ESCs) were used as the control group. Neural potential of differentiated PESCs and ESCs were analyzed by immunofluorescent labeling and real-time PCR assay (Nestin, neural progenitor marker; Tuj1, neuronal cell marker; GFAP, glial cell marker). The differentiated cells from both ESC and PESC showed heterogeneous population of Nestin, Tuj1, and GFAP positive cells. In terms of the level of gene expression, PESC showed 4 times higher level of GFAP expression than ESCs. After exposure to Igf2, the expression level of GFAP decreased both in derivatives of PESCs and ESCs. Interestingly, the expression level of $Tuj1$ increased only in ESCs, not in PESCs. The results show that IGF2 is a positive effector for suppressing over-expressed glial differentiation during neural induction of PESCs and for promoting neuronal differentiation of ESCs, while exogenous Igf2 could not accelerate the neuronal differentiation of PESCs. Although exogenous Igf2 promotes neuronal differentiation of normal ESCs, expression of endogenous $Igf2$ may be critical for initiating neuronal differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. The findings may contribute to understanding of the relationship between imprinting mechanism and neural differentiation and its application to neural tissue repair in the future.