High level expression of Prop-1 gene in gonadotropic cell lines

Prop-1 acts as an upstream regulator for the Pit-1 gene to induce development of Pit-1 lineage pituitary cell lines, GH-, PRL-, and TSH-producing cells, in the early stage of pituitary organogenesis. Furthermore, Prop-1 is presumed to be involved in the function of FSH/LH-producing cells, gonadotropes, since the defective Prop-1 gene shows hypogonadism. Recently, we reported evidence that Prop-1 directly regulates expression of the porcine FSHbeta gene, thus providing a novel advance in understanding the function of Prop-1 in FSH/LH production and hypogonadism. This study was intended to demonstrate the expressions of Prop-1 gene in pituitary tumor-derived cell lines. RT-PCR analyses were conducted of Pit-1, glycoprotein alpha subunit (alphaGSU), GnRH receptor, and cyclophilin A (a ubiquitously expressing gene). We observed expression of the Pit-1 gene in alphaT1-1, TalphaT1, MtT/S, GH3, and TtT/GF cells, expression of the alphaGSU gene in alphaT1-1, alphaT3-1, LbetaT2, LbetaT4, TalphaT1, and GH3 cells, and expression of GnRH receptor gene in alphaT3-1, LbetaT2, LbetaT4, and GH3 cells, respectively. These expression profiles were in accord with their cell lineages, with only a few exceptions. To accurately measure the expression level of the Prop-1 gene, a quantitative analysis was performed using the real-time PCR method. This analysis demonstrated that the LbetaT2 and LbetaT4 gonadotrope cell lines, which express the FSHbeta gene, express the Prop-1 gene. Taken together with our previous observation that Prop-1 is present in the adult porcine pituitary gonadotropes, Prop-1 might also be involved in development of gonadotropes and hormone production.     

Prominent expression of spinocerebellar ataxia type-1 (SCA1) gene encoding ataxin-1 in LH-producing cells, LbetaT2

The LH-producing cell line, LbetaT2, and non LH-producing cell line, alphaT3-1 cells, established from a pituitary tumor, were employed for cDNA subtraction cloning to identify genes with expression unique to LH producing cells. Several cDNAs that code for known as well as for many unidentified clones were discovered. Most clones were the spinocerebellar ataxia type-1 (SCA1) gene encoding ataxin-1, the abnormality of which causes neurodegeneration and loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells. We examined whether the expression of SCA1 gene in LbetaT2 cells is related to hormone production. We also compared the expression of SCA1 with that in various other pituitary tumor derived cell lines, and confirmed the prominent expression of SCA1 in LbetaT2 cells. The effect of gonadal factor(s) for SCA1 gene expression was examined. The expression level in female rats was low and did not change during the estrus cycle, but increased significantly after ovariectomy and did not return to the normal level under low and high doses of estrogen. In the male pituitary SCA1 gene expression increased markedly after castration and was not decreased by estrogen or testosterone. The Ontogeny of SCA1 gene expression was investigated in porcine fetal and postnatal pituitaries and revealed biphasic and sexually dimorphic expression. Transient expression of SCA1 gene was observed at fetal day 50 and 65 in males and day 40 in females, followed by a decline and increased expression before birth in both genders. Thus the expression of SCA1 gene is prominent in LH-producing cells and is not under direct control of gonadal factor(s) in both genders. In addition to the variable expression of SCA1 gene during the fetus period, the present results provide a novel aspect to the understanding of Boucher-Neuhauser syndrome (Ataxia Hypogonadism Choroidal Dystrophy).     

猪瘟病毒E0基因在CHO细胞中的表达

将EGFPE0融合基因插入哺乳动物细胞表达载体pCI-dhfr中,构建重组质粒pCI-EGFPE0。将重组质粒转染CHO(dhfr-),在荧光显微镜下观察到少数细胞呈现绿色荧光,表明转染成功。通过MTX加压筛选后,在荧光显微镜下观察到多数细胞呈现强绿色荧光,表明重组融合蛋白EGFPE0在CHO细胞中得到大量表达。高效表达重组融合蛋白细胞克隆的获得为进一步大量制备可溶性的猪瘟病毒E0糖蛋白、制备其单抗筛选抗原表位及研究E0蛋白的生物学功能奠定基础。     

HSD17B12基因对湖羊垂体细胞促性腺激素合成的影响

旨在探索湖羊垂体中17β-羟类固醇脱氢酶12（HSD17B12）基因对垂体激素分泌的影响。本研究挑选体重相近（40 kg左右）且健康的性成熟湖羊公羊（9月龄）3只，采集垂体组织进行HSD17B12基因CDS区扩增及蛋白同源性分析，确定其CDS区序列。利用免疫组化分析HSD17B12在性成熟雄性湖羊垂体中的表达定位。体外分离湖羊垂体细胞，利用RNA干扰和细胞转染技术体外干扰HSD17B12，qPCR鉴定激素相关基因的表达水平，并利用流式细胞仪检测细胞增殖、凋亡、周期等的变化。结果表明，HSD17B12基因CDS区长度为939 bp，并且在物种间保守性较高。此外， HSD17B12在湖羊垂体组织大部分细胞中均呈现阳性表达。在垂体细胞干扰HSD17B12后，可以造成细胞增殖效率显著降低（P<0.05），细胞凋亡比率显著增加（P<0.05），细胞周期发生显著改变（P<0.05），且垂体促性腺激素合成相关基因FSHβ、LHβ和生长激素基因GH表达水平均显著降低（P<0.05）。结果提示，在湖羊垂体细胞中干扰HSD17B12的表达，可通过影响细胞增殖、周期和凋亡水平的变化而显著降低促性腺激素及生长激素的分泌。本研究初步证明了HSD17B12基因在湖羊垂体中的重要作用，为进一步探索其中的作用机制提供一定的基础。     

生长激素释放因子在CHO细胞的表达

在对生长激素释放因子 (GRF)基因改造和化学合成 ,并构建了其真核表达载体 pc DNA3- GRF(1- 32 )的基础上 ,用 L ipofectin将上述载体转染 CHO细胞进行瞬时表达。提取转染细胞总 RNA,用 RT- PCR和 Dot blotting检测 GRF基因的表达情况 ,用 Western blotting检测转染细胞上清液的表达产物 ,均得到了阳性结果。制备大鼠垂体单层细胞 ,测定表达产物的生物学活性 ,结果表达产物可刺激生长激素释放 ,并且比对照组提高 3.8倍。试验结果表明 ,已构建的真核表达载体 pc DNA3- GRF(1- 32 )能表达出有生物学活性的 GRF。     

miR-93对延边黄牛垂体细胞GH分泌的影响

为了分析血液外泌体miRNA对延边黄牛垂体细胞生长激素（GH）分泌的影响,试验选择在延边黄牛和韩延牛血液外泌体中存在显著差异表达的miR-93,分析其对延边黄牛垂体细胞GH分泌的影响机制。试验首先进行延边黄牛垂体细胞的原代培养,之后将miR-93的mimics（miR-93-mi组）、mimics对照品（NC对照组）、inhibitor（miR-93-in组）、inhibitor对照品（iNC组）转染给已建立的垂体原代细胞,48 h后收集细胞,提取总mRNA和总蛋白。试验利用targetscan和RNAhybrid分析软件对miR-93的靶基因进行预测,并利用双荧光素酶报告基因系统对miR-93的靶关系进行验证;利用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blotting技术分别检测靶基因mRNA转录和蛋白的表达情况,结果表明,miR-93靶向了生长激素释放激素受体（GHRHR）的3'UTR;与NC对照组比较,miR-93-mi组的延边黄牛垂体细胞中GH mRNA转录和蛋白表达均极显著低于NC对照组（P<0.01）;miR-93-mi组的GHRH mRNA转录和蛋白表达均极显著低于NC对照组（P<0.01）,而miR-93-in组的GHRHR蛋白表达显著高于iNC对照组（P<0.05）。说明miR-93可通过调节GHRHR的表达而调控延边黄牛垂体细胞GH的分泌,进而调控延边黄牛的生长发育。     

Canine thyrotropin beta-subunit gene: cloning and expression in Escherichia coli, generation of monoclonal antibodies, and transient expression in the Chinese hamster ovary cells

The gene encoding the mature β subunit of canine thyroid stimulating hormone (cTSHβ) was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli and in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and monoclonal antibodies against the recombinant cTSHβ purified from E. coli were generated. The gene fragment that encodes mature TSHβ was cloned from the canine genomic DNA by direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers that were designed based on the consensus sequences from other species. The resulting 891 basepairs (bp) of genomic DNA consisted of two coding exons of the canine TSHβ gene and an intron of 450 bp. The two exons, which encode the mature cTSHβ subunit, was joined together by an overlap PCR and was expressed in E. coli as 6×His-tagged protein. The purified recombinant cTSHβ with a molecular weight of about 15 kDa was recognized by the polyclonal antibodies prepared against the native canine TSH in Western blot. Monoclonal antibodies were raised against the purified cTSHβ and subsequently characterized. For transient expression in CHO cells that are permanently transfected with the bovine common gene, a 60-oligonucleotide signal peptide coding sequence was added to the 5′ end of the cTSHβ gene before it was cloned into the mammalian expression vector pRSV and used to transfect CHO cells. The medium from these transfected cells, presumably containing the bovine and canine TSHβ in heterodimeric confirmation, exhibited TSH bioactivity as indicated by the stimulation of cAMP production in the cultured FRTL-5 thyrocytes.     

Pituitary effects of steroid hormones on secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone

Steroid hormones have a profound influence on the secretion of the gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These effects can occur as a result of steroid hormones modifying the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, or a direct effect of steroid hormones on gonadotropin secreting cells in the anterior pituitary gland. With respect to the latter, we have shown that estradiol increases pituitary sensitivity to GnRH by stimulating an increase in expression of the gene encoding the GnRH receptor. Since an estrogen response element (ERE) has not been identified in the GnRH receptor gene, this effect appears to be mediated by estradiol stimulating production of a yet to be identified factor that in turn enhances expression of the GnRH receptor gene. However, the importance of estradiol for enhancing pituitary sensitivity to GnRH during the periovulatory period is questioned because an increase in mRNA for the GnRH receptor precedes the pre-ovulatory rise in circulating concentrations of estradiol. In fact, it appears that the enhanced pituitary sensitivity during the periovulatory period may occur as a result of a decrease in concentrations of progesterone rather than due to an increase in concentrations of estradiol. Estradiol also is capable of altering secretion of FSH and LH in the absence of GnRH. In a recent study utilizing cultured pituitary cells from anestrous ewes, we demonstrated that estradiol induced a dose-dependent increase in secretion of LH, but resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the secretion of FSH. We hypothesized that the discordant effects on secretion of LH and FSH might arise from estradiol altering the production of some of the intrapituitary factors involved in synthesis and secretion of FSH. To examine this hypothesis, we measured amounts of mRNA for activin B (a factor known to stimulate synthesis of FSH) and follistatin (an activin-binding protein). We found no change in the mRNA for follistatin after treatment of pituitary cells with estradiol, but noted a decrease in the amount of mRNA for activin B. Thus, the inhibitory effect of estradiol on secretion of FSH appears to be mediated by its ability to suppress the expression of the gene encoding activin.     

水牛促卵泡素受体(FSHR)基因启动子克隆、生物信息学分析及转录活性检测

试验旨在对广西本地水牛FSHR基因5'侧翼序列进行克隆、生物信息学分析及其转录活性检测。根据GenBank已公布的黄牛FSHR 5'侧翼序列,本试验设计引物,以广西本地水牛血液基因组为模板扩增FSHR基因5'侧翼序列并进行生物信息学分析。结果显示本试验成功克隆了广西本地沼泽型水牛FSHR 5'侧翼序列及部分CDS区序列,共2979 bp,同源性比对分析结果表明其与河流型水牛、黄牛、绵羊、山羊、猪和人的同源性分别为100%、99%、93%、92%、91%和75%。对其5'侧翼2000 bp序列进行启动子预测及转录因子结合位点预测,结果显示在其翻译起始位点上游-147 bp附近存在TATA box,启动子区存在GATAs、FOXO1、FOXO3、Nobox、STAT1、STAT3、STAT4、STAT5A、STAT5B、STAT6和YY1等反式作用元件结合位点,其中GATAs家族基因在FSHR启动子区存在多个结合位点,且同一位点又存在多个GATAs家族基因结合的情况。水牛FSHR启动子能启动EGFP在HEK-293T细胞系中的表达,但表达非常微弱;也能启动EGFP在CHO细胞系中表达,且与CMV启动EGFP在CHO细胞系中的强度相似,结果表明水牛FSHR是个强启动子。总之,本研究成功克隆了沼泽型水牛FSHR基因启动子,分析了其启动子序列特征并成功验证其组织特异性的转录活性,为后期水牛繁殖性能分子机理阐明及基于卵巢特异性表达外源基因的转基因水牛奠定了基础。     

苦马豆素抑制N-聚糖加工对生殖激素分泌功能的影响

苦马豆素（SW）中毒可引起生殖激素分泌紊乱,其中,促性腺激素是糖蛋白,由N-聚糖糖基化修饰调控其活性和功能。SW是N-聚糖加工过程中ɑ-甘露糖苷酶的抑制剂,而SW如何通过改变N-聚糖加工过程进一步影响生殖激素的分泌功能尚不明确。因此,本试验建立SW染毒妊娠期小鼠模型,利用MALDI-TOF-MS质谱法检测糖蛋白N-聚糖糖链结构的变化,分析N-聚糖加工过程中糖基酶的活性和生殖激素水平及其受体蛋白表达量。随着SW染毒时间的延长,染毒组小鼠垂体前叶糖蛋白的5种复合型N-聚糖糖链结构消失,而新增加3种杂合型N-聚糖糖链结构;N-聚糖糖基转移酶和糖苷酶的活性均显著下降;进一步发现染毒组小鼠卵巢促性腺激素受体、雌二醇和孕酮受体蛋白表达量显著低于对照组,并且生殖激素分泌水平也出现显著下降。SW可显著抑制N-聚糖糖基酶的活性使糖蛋白上N-聚糖糖链结构发生改变,影响促性腺激素及其受体的活性,使其对下游类固醇激素分泌的调控作用失衡,最终导致小鼠妊娠期生殖激素分泌紊乱。     

Swainsonine Affects the Secretion of Reproductive Hormones by Inhibiting N-glycan Processing

Swainsonine (SW) can cause disorders of reproductive hormones. Gonadotropins are glycoprotein hormones, so they are regulated by N-glycosylation modifications. ɑ-mannosidase, a key enzyme that accelerates the processing of N-glycosylation modifications, can be inhibited by SW. So how does SW affect the structure of N-glycan and the secretion performance of reproductive hormone is unclear. Thus, this test was conducted by intraperitoneal injection of SW exposed mice to establish models of poisoning. The changes of N-glycan structure in their pituitary tissues were detected by MALDI-TOF-MS mass spectrometry; the activity of glycosylase, the level of reproductive hormone, the quantity of reproductive hormone receptors were analyzed. With the extension of injection time, the five composite glycosides of the pituitary glycoprotein in the poisoned group disappeared, and three hybrid glycosides were added. The activities of glycosyltransferase and glycosidase in the poisoned group were significantly decreased. There were further found that the expression levels of gonadotropin receptor, estradiol and progesterone receptor proteins in the poisoned group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the secretion levels of reproductive hormones were also significantly decreased. SW can significantly inhibit the activity of N-glycan glycosylase and cause changes of normal N-glycan structure; it has a negative influence on the activities of gonadotropins and their receptors, causing the regulation of downstream steroid hormone secretion out of balance, and eventually, reproductive hormone regulation can be disrupted.     

猪不同直径卵泡内卵母细胞胞质成熟及体外发育潜力差异原因的初探

试验根据直径将猪卵泡分为2组:G1组(4~7 mm)和G2组(2~4 mm),对2组卵泡内获取的卵母细胞体外成熟率和发育潜能进行了比较,利用相对定量PCR检测了卵丘细胞中卵丘扩展相关基因Has2、Ptgs2、Ptx31及Pgr的表达水平,应用绝对定量PCR检测了成熟培养前后卵母细胞线粒体拷贝数,并利用5,5'-二巯基-2-硝基苯酸(DTNB)酶循环法检测了体外成熟培养过程中卵母细胞谷胱甘肽(GSH)的含量。结果显示,G1组和G2组卵母细胞体外成熟率分别为95.06%和68.19%,G1和G2组排出第一极体的成熟卵母细胞孤雌激活后的囊胚率分别为51.47%和29.44%,2组卵母细胞在体外成熟率和孤雌发育率上均差异显著(P<0.05)。G1组卵丘细胞在体外成熟培养过程中的扩展程度明显高于G2组,G1组卵母细胞对应的卵丘细胞扩展相关基因Has2、Ptgs2、Ptx31、Pgr的表达水平高于G2组(Has2基因在卵母细胞成熟培养0、24 h除外);G1组卵母细胞线粒体数、谷胱甘肽含量均高于G2组。以上结果表明,大卵泡来源的卵母细胞体外成熟能力和发育潜力优于小卵泡来源的卵母细胞,这可能与卵母细胞成熟过程中卵丘扩展程度、卵丘扩展相关基因表达激活情况、卵胞质内谷胱甘肽含量和线粒体拷贝数有关。