• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2005

Objective: To understand the crucial requirement for the normal early folliculogenesis, we evaluated molecular as well as physiological differences during in vitro ovarian culture. Among the important regulators for follicle development, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and FSH Receptor (FSHR) have been known to be expressed in the cuboidal granulosa cells. Meanwhile, it is known that c-kit is germ cell-specific and GDF-9 is also oocyte-specific regulator. To evaluate the functional requirement for the competence of normal follicular development, we investigated the differential mRNA expression of several factors secreted from granulosa cells and oocytes between in vivo and in vitro developed ovaries. Materials and Methods: Ovaries from ICR neonates (the day of birth) were cultured for 4 days (for primordial to primary transition) or 8 days (for secondary follicle formation) in ${\alpha}$-MEM glutamax supplemented with 3 mg/ml BSA without serum or growth factors. The mRNA levels of the several factors were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Freshly isolated 0-, 4-, and 8-day-old ovaries were used as control. Results: The mRNA of AMH and FSHR as granulosa cell factors was highly increased according to the ovarian development in both of 4- and 8-day-old control. However, the mRNA expression was not induced in both of 4- and 8-day in vitro cultured ovaries. The mRNA expression of GDF-9 known to regulate follicle growth as an oocyte factor was different between in vivo and in vitro developed ovaries. In addition, the transcript of GDF-9 was expressed in the primordial follicles of mouse ovaries. The mRNA expression of c-kit was not significantly different during the early folliculogenesis in vitro. Conclusion: This is the first report regarding endogenous AMH and FSHR expression during the early folliculogenesis in vitro. In conclusion, it will be very valuable to evaluate cuboidal granulosa cell factors as functional marker(s) for normal early folliculogenesis in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 1994

We present here a new PCR-based cloning technique that allows the different PCR products during mouse embryogenesis. Recently, mRNA differential display described by Liang & Pardee (Science 257, 1992) and re-confirmed by Zimermann & Schultz (PNAS 91,1994). This method will detect the appropriate changes in the temporal patterns of expression or in the transition from maternal control to zygotic control as well as the functional difference of embryo with polyspermy or monospermy, the difference of expression between successfully hatched blastocyst and blastocyst failed to hatching, response to agents, and cell cycle regulation. By this methods, we have cloned an eDNA, which showed mouse 2 cell specific expression. Genomic DNA digested with EcoRI showed approximately 15 kb and then showed higher expression in fetal liver rather than adult liver. Furthermore, this gene is likely to have 2 mRNA by alternative splicing.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.568-574
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• 2008

Antisense RNA molecules are powerful tools for controlling the expression of specific genes but their use in prokaryotes has been limited by their unpredictable antisense effectiveness. Moreover, appreciation of the molecular mechanisms associated with silencing in bacteria is still restricted. Here we report our attempts to define an effective antisense strategy in E. coli, and to dissect the observed silencing process. Antisense constructs complementary to different regions of lacZ were investigated, and silencing was observed exclusively upon expression of antisense RNA hybridising the 5'UTR of lac messenger. The level of lacZ mRNA was reduced upon expression of this antisense construct, and the silencing competence was found to be closely associated with its stability. These observations may help in the design of antisense molecules directed against prokaryotic genes.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.172-184
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• 2021

Objective: Vanin1 (VNN1) is a pantetheinase that can catalyze the hydrolysis of pantetheine to produce pantothenic acid and cysteamine. Our previous studies showed that VNN1 is specifically expressed in chicken liver. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor α (PPARα) and miRNA-181a-5p in regulating VNN1 gene expression in chicken liver. Methods: 5'-RACE was performed to identify the transcription start site of chicken VNN1. JASPAR and TFSEARCH were used to analyze the potential transcription factor binding sites in the promoter region of chicken VNN1 and miRanda was used to search miRNA binding sites in 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of chicken VNN1. We used a knock-down strategy to manipulate PPARα (or miRNA-181a-5p) expression levels in vitro to further investigate its effect on VNN1 gene transcription. Luciferase reporter assays were used to explore the specific regions of VNN1 targeted by PPARα and miRNA-181a-5p. Results: Sequence analysis of the VNN1 promoter region revealed several transcription factor-binding sites, including hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α), PPARα, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α. GW7647 (a specific agonist of PPARα) increased the expression level of VNN1 mRNA in chicken primary hepatocytes, whereas knockdown of PPARα with siRNA increased VNN1 mRNA expression. Moreover, the predicted PPARα-binding site was confirmed to be necessary for PPARα regulation of VNN1 gene expression. In addition, the VNN1 3'UTR contains a sequence that is completely complementary to nucleotides 1 to 7 of miRNA-181a-5p. Overexpression of miR-181a-5p significantly decreased the expression level of VNN1 mRNA. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that PPARα is an important transcriptional activator of VNN1 gene expression and that miRNA-181a-5p acts as a negative regulator of VNN1 expression in chicken hepatocytes.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.11
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• pp.612-616
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• 2016

CD44 pre-mRNA includes 20 exons, of which exons 1-5 ($C_1-C_5$) and exons 16-20 ($C_6-C_{10}$) are constant exons, whereas exons 6-15 ($V_1-V_{10}$) are variant exons. $V_6$-exon-containing isoforms have been known to be implicated in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. In the present study, we performed a SR protein screen for CD44 $V_6$ splicing using overexpression and lentivirus-mediated shRNA treatment. Using a CD44 $V_6$ minigene, we demonstrate that increased SRSF3 and SRSF4 expression do not affect $V_6$ splicing, but increased expression of SRSF1, SRSF6 and SRSF9 significantly inhibit $V_6$ splicing. In addition, using a constitutive exon-specific primer set, we could not detect alterations of CD44 splicing after SR protein-targeting shRNA treatment. However, using a $V_6$ specific primer, we identified that reduced SRSF2 expression significantly reduced the $V_6$ isoform, but increased $V_{6-10}$ and $V_{6,8-10}$ isoforms. Our results indicate that SR proteins are important regulatory proteins for CD44 $V_6$ splicing.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.28 no.A
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• pp.141-147
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• 2008

Several contaminated bacteria such as Lactobacillus brevis and Pediococcus damnosus in beer production cause beer spoilage by producing off flavours and turbidity. Detection of these organisms is complicated by the strict anaerobic conditions and lengthy incubation times required for their cultivation, consequently there is a need for more rapid detection methods. Recently, two contaminated strains were isolated from vessel of beer production and identified as Lactobacillus species by API kit identificaton as well as 16S-23S ITS sequencing analyses. Two isolated strains were named as Lactobacillus sp. HLA1 and Lactobacillus HLB2, respectively. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed for the rapid and specific detection of Lactobacillus sp.. Two sets of primer pairs (HLA1-F/HLA1-R and HLB2-F/HLB2-R) were designed for the amplification of a 1576 base pair (bp) fragment of the HLA1 16S-23S rRNA gene and 1888 bp fragement of the HLB2 16S-23S rRNA. Amplified PCR products were highly specific to detect corresponding bacteria when other contaminated strains were used as PCR templates. However, detection of both strains were limited when $100{\mu}{\ell}$ of cultured samples were mixed with $100m{\ell}$ of beer sample in arbitrary manner. The sensitivity of the assay still needs to be improved for direct detection of the small amounts of bacteria present in beer.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.125-135
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• 2022

Continuously renewing the proteome, translation is exquisitely controlled by a number of dedicated factors that interact with the ribosome. The RNA helicase DDX3 belonging to the DEAD box family has emerged as one of the critical regulators of translation, the failure of which is frequently observed in a wide range of proliferative, degenerative, and infectious diseases in humans. DDX3 unwinds double-stranded RNA molecules with coupled ATP hydrolysis and thereby remodels complex RNA structures present in various protein-coding and noncoding RNAs. By interacting with specific features on messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), DDX3 facilitates translation, while repressing it under certain conditions. We review recent findings underlying these properties of DDX3 in diverse modes of translation, such as cap-dependent and cap-independent translation initiation, usage of upstream open reading frames, and stress-induced ribonucleoprotein granule formation. We further discuss how disease-associated DDX3 variants alter the translation landscape in the cell.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1529-1540
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• 2011

Silencing of a specific gene using RNAi (RNA interference) is a valuable tool for functional analysis of a target gene. However, information on RNAi for analysis of gene function in farm animals is relatively nil. In the present study, we have validated the interfering effects of siRNA (small interfering RNA) using both quantitative and qualitative gene silencing in buffalo granulosa cells. Qualitative gene knockdown was validated using a fluorescent vector, enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) and fluorescently labeled siRNA (Cy3) duplex. While quantitatively, siRNA targeted against the luciferase and CYP19 mRNA was used to validate the technique. CYP19 gene, a candidate fertility gene, was selected as a model to demonstrate the technique optimization. However, to sustain the expression of CYP19 gene in culture conditions using serum is difficult because granulosa cells have the tendency to luteinize in presence of serum. Therefore, serum free culture conditions were optimized for transfection and were found to be more suitable for the maintenance of CYP19 gene transcripts in comparison to culture conditions with serum. Decline in fluorescence intensity of green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was observed following co-transfection with plasmid generating siRNA targeted against EGFP gene. Quantitative decrease in luminescence was seen when co-transfected with siRNA against the luciferase gene. A significant suppressive effect on the mRNA levels of CYP19 gene at 100 nM siRNA concentration was observed. Also, measurement of estradiol levels using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) showed a significant decline in comparison to control. In conclusion, the present study validated gene silencing using RNAi in cultured buffalo granulosa cells which can be used as an effective tool for functional analysis of target genes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9557-9565
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• 2014

MiRNAs are endogenous, single stranded ~22-nucleotide non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which are transcribed by RNA polymerase II and mediate negative post-transcriptional gene regulation through binding to 3'untranslated regions (UTR), possibly open reading frames (ORFs) or 5'UTRs of target mRNAs. MiRNAs are involved in the normal physiology of eukaryotic cells, so dysregulation may be associated with diseases like cancer, and neurodegenerative, heart and other disorders. Among all cancers, lung cancer, with high incidence and mortality worldwide, is classified into two main groups: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Recent promising studies suggest that gene expression profiles and miRNA signatures could be a useful step in a noninvasive, low-cost and repeatable screening process of lung cancer. Similarly, every stage of lung development during fetal life is associated with specific miRNAs. Since lung development and lung cancer phenomena share the same physiological, biological and molecular processes like cell proliferation, development and shared mRNA or expression regulation pathways, and according to data adopted from various studies, they may have partially shared miRNA signature. Thus, focusing on lung cancer in relation to lung development in miRNA studies might provide clues for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.190-198
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• 2012

RNA interference (RNAi) is rapidly becoming a valuable tool in biological studies, as it allows the selective and transient knockdown of protein expression. The short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) transiently silence gene expression. By contrast, the expressed short-hairpin RNAs induce long-term, stable knockdown of their target gene. Trichoplusia ni (T. ni) cells are widely used for mammalian cell-derived glycoprotein expression using the baculovirus system. However, a suitable shRNA expression system has not been developed yet. We investigated the potency of shRNA-mediated gene expression inhibition using human and Drosophila U6 promoters in T. ni cells. Luciferase, EGFP, and ${\beta}$-N-acetylglucosaminidase (GlcNAcase) were employed as targets to investigate knockdown of specific genes in T. ni cells. Introduction of the shRNA expression vector under the control of human U6 or Drosophila U6 promoter into T. ni cells exhibited the reduced level of luciferase, EGFP, and ${\beta}$-N-acetylglucosaminidase compared with that of untransfected cells. The shRNA was expressed and processed to siRNA in our vector-transfected T. ni cells. GlcNAcase mRNA levels were down-regulated in T. ni cells transfected with shRNA vectors-targeted GlcNAcase as compared with the control vector-treated cells. It implied that our shRNA expression vectors using human and Drosophila U6 promoters were applied in T. ni cells for the specific gene knockdown.