Wnt信号通路及其在动物生长发育过程中的作用

Wnt途径是重要的细胞信号转导途径,该途径参与了从胚胎到成体的一系列控制胚胎早期的发育、决定细胞分化、细胞增殖及生长的调控,异常表达或激活该途径会导致各种疾病甚至肿瘤发生。本文重点阐述了Wnt信号通路在胚胎发育、细胞分化及其在肿瘤发生过程中的作用,同时揭示深入研究Wnt信号通路,设计出阻断Wnt通路的物质,可为将来肿瘤的治疗开辟一条新的途径。     

糖原合成激酶抑制剂在胚胎干细胞自我更新中的作用

胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cells,ES)是从早期囊胚内细胞团分离培养出来的能够不断维持自我更新和具有发育多能性的细胞。Wnt信号通路在维持胚胎干细胞的自我更新方面起着重要作用,糖原合成激酶 (glycogen synthase kinase-3,GSK-3)抑制剂可以激活Wnt信号通路,促进胚胎干细胞自我更新和增强细胞间连接。作者就GSK-3抑制剂在胚胎干细胞自我更新、细胞连接方面的作用及其作用机制进行简单综述。     

调控毛囊发育的Wnt信号通路研究进展

毛囊周期性发育过程受多种分子及信号通路调控,Wnt信号通路就是其中之一。Wnt信号通路调控动物发育过程中的多个重要环节,包括细胞增殖、细胞迁移及细胞分化等,且在毛囊发育过程中发挥着重要的调控作用,这对动物毛皮质量的提高、人皮肤损伤的治疗及日益严重的脱发问题等提供更多的研究思路和实际应用价值。近年来,Wnt信号通路已成为信号通路研究中的热点之一。因此,论文就Wnt信号通路、毛囊发育及Wnt信号通路对毛囊发育的调控作用进行了综述,为广大科研人员的后续研究提供参考。     

扁虫中Wnt信号通路的作用

高度保守的Wnt信号通路调控动物的生长发育、疾病、衰老和死亡等许多生命过程。笔者概述了扁虫(涡虫、绦虫和吸虫)中Wnt信号通路各成分的作用。涡虫中Wnt信号通路能准确指导再生,调节前后(AP)轴形成,维持肌肉细胞和干细胞中沿着AP轴的基因梯度表达,绦虫中Wnt信号通路参与节片的发育,在吸虫中学者们对wnt1、wnt2、wnt4和wnt5基因的功能进行过研究。最后浅谈目前扁虫中Wnt信号通路存在的问题及展望。     

日本血吸虫Wnt1基因的鉴定及在不同发育阶段表达水平分析

为研究Wnt信号通路对血吸虫发育的调节作用,本研究克隆鉴定了日本血吸虫的Wnt1基因(SjWnt1).序列分析显示,SjWnt1蛋白具有Wnt信号蛋白家族的结构功能域,但比高等生物的Wnt1少一个保守的Cys.mRNA和蛋白的定量分析结果显示,SjWnt1表达于血吸虫的整个发育过程,而在虫卵和早期童虫中呈高表达水平,提示SjWnt1对卵胚发育和早期童虫的细胞分化具有调节作用.来源于非适宜宿主及单性感染的发育不良虫体中SjWnt1 mRNA水平比发育正常的虫体高,表明不良发育的虫体相应的Wnt信号阻滞.SjWnt1表达下调后则引起Wnt/β-catenin、Wnt/PCP及Wnt/Ca2+通路的相应下游基因的mRNA水平下降,推测SjWnt1可能通过这3种传递途径行使信号传递的功能.     

成纤维生长因子4在妊娠早期牛胎盘组织的分布及表达特点

成纤维生长因子4(FGF4)是在哺乳动物胚胎发育过程中第一个被发现的FGF分子,在促进滋养层细胞的增殖方面具有广泛的作用。已经证实,FGF4是小鼠早期胚胎发育过程中的一个重要因子,异常表达会影响早期胚胎的发育,并影响小鼠胎盘的发育及功能。截至目前,有关FGF4在牛胎盘发育过程中的表达尚无报道。本试验运用石蜡切片HE、PAS、免疫荧光染色技术和实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)技术对妊娠早期牛胎盘组织结构特征及胎盘组织中FGF4的细胞定位和mRNA表达规律进行研究。结果显示,在所检测的各胎龄胎盘的羊膜、子叶及肉阜组织均检测到Fgf4 mRNA,各部位表达量依区域和孕龄而异;在牛胎盘块的单核滋养层细胞、滋养层巨细胞、肉阜上皮、子宫内膜上皮及子宫腺等部位的细胞质均观察到FGF4阳性反应,滋养层巨细胞及子宫腺上皮呈强染色。可见,在妊娠早期的牛胎盘组织存在FGF4及其mRNA,随着胎龄的增加其表达量在胎儿胎盘(子叶)表现为先降低而后增高的规律,而在母体胎盘(肉阜组织)则呈现先逐渐升高然后降低的趋势。     

鹿茸MSCs软骨分化过程WNT信号基因的表达与分析

TGF-β信号是刺激骨形成重要的旁分泌信号通路,Wnt信号是细胞生长和分化的重要通路,为探究两信号通路对鹿茸间充质干细胞软骨分化的影响,实验利用10 ng/mL TGF-β1刺激鹿茸间充质干细胞软骨分化,利用定量PCR与Westernblot技术检测分化过程Wnt家族16个生长因子及通路关键基因DKK1和β-catenin的表达变化。结果表明:刺激后第7天细胞开始分泌软骨的表面标志物,软骨分化开始,至第21天骨分化开始;分化过程中检测到Wnt3、Wnt4和Wnt5A 3个Wnt家族生长因子的表达,且Wnt3与Wnt5A基因的表达趋势相近,即在刺激后的第21天达到最高;Wnt4基因表达从软骨与骨的形成阶段呈上调表达趋势,DKK1基因在软骨发育的关键时期即第21天高表达,而β-catenin作为信号通路的枢纽在该时间点呈下调表达。由此可见,Wnt信号通路对塔里木马鹿茸MSCs软骨分化起重要的调控作用,Wnt家族的Wnt3和Wnt5A基因对软骨分化有重要作用影响,而Wnt4基因对软骨骨化有重要影响。     

WNT信号通路的研究进展

Wnt(wingless-type MMTV integration site family members)信号通路与细胞的发育分化密切相关,对正常和肿瘤细胞生长都至关重要,因其启动蛋白为Wnt蛋白而得名。本文综述了Wnt蛋白家族、Wnt信号通路、Wnt信号通路与疾病的关系以及WNT信号通路的研究进展,并对家族中一些成员的研究进行了展望。     

EDA基因及其信号通路在动物皮肤毛囊发育中作用研究进展

EDA基因的突变会引起多种外胚层附属物的减少或是缺乏,像头发、牙齿、汗腺、皮脂腺和乳腺等外胚层附属物的生长发育,都需要EDA的参与。EDA信号通路在多种类型毛囊的发生、毛干的形成和皮脂腺的形态发生中发挥作用,它可控制胚胎上皮细胞的命运,调控毛囊细胞的分化过程。作者简述了EDA基因及其信号通路与动物毛囊发育的关系,介绍了EDA基因的功能和蛋白分子结构,以及它主要的两种转录体EDA1和EDA2的功能与作用机制,EDA1-EDAR系统在皮肤衍生结构的发育中发挥主要作用,EDA1和EDAR的突变均会导致HED。阐述了EDA基因信号通路调控毛囊组织生长发育机理以及与多个信号通路的关联,EDA信号可控制毛囊生长期到退行期的转换,对毛囊循环周期中退行期毛囊角质细胞的细胞凋亡起调控作用。EDA-EDAR系统是对皮肤附属器官发育有重要作用的Wnt信号通路的一个重要的效应器,其紧接着出现在Wnt诱导信号的下游。它依靠下游的NF-κB通路的活动来调控靶基因,通过刺激NF-κB调整Wnt、SHH、FGF、和TGF-β信号通路的效应器和抑制因子的转录来发挥作用,调控上皮细胞和间充质细胞还包括组织内的相互作用。结论认为EDA信号通路参与毛囊细胞的发育与分化调控,对动物毛囊生长发育起重要影响作用。     

SCNT牛胚胎中PWS/AS基因簇母源印记控制区甲基化模式研究

为揭示牛核移植胚胎(SCNT)异常甲基化模式,选择配子期、S期、2-cell、8-cell和桑葚胚5个发育阶段的早期牛核移植胚胎作为试验组,以相应阶段的体外受精胚胎(IVF)作为对照,对核移植胚胎中呈母源印记的PWS/AS基因簇ICR区进行BSP测序,分析了SCNT和IVF胚胎不同发育时期SNRPN启动子区域甲基化水平的总体变化模式,并对该区域内的5个甲基化位点分别进行比较,筛选敏感位点。结果表明:SCNT胚胎PWS-IC甲基化水平,各期均无显著性差异(P0.05),一直维持在较高水平;SCNT胚胎二细胞期PWS-IC甲基化水平极显著低于同期的IVF胚胎(P0.01);该区域第1个和第5个甲基化位点是去甲基化抑制机制的易感位点。因此,PWS-IC区域甲基化模式改变,导致了SCNT胚胎母源DNA的高甲基化,推测与SCNT胚胎发生过早甲基化重建相关。研究结果可为提高SCNT胚胎克隆成功效率提供理论借鉴。     

Research Progress on the Function of Wnt Signaling Pathway in the Development of Bovine Placenta

Placenta is the link between the fetus and the maternal body during pregnancy.Therefore, the pregnancy outcome of the key was related by the normal development of the placenta.Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of embryo and placenta formation, several Wnt pathways which have been clear study and the formation process of early embryo and placenta in cattle are reviewed in this article,the early expression of the Wnt pathway components in the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cattle and normal insemination of bovine embryos is introduced. The expression of DKK-1 and Fzd4 have a special role in the formation and development of early placenta, but its molecular mechanism is not clear. In addition, the Wnt signaling pathway is activated by inhibiting the MAP2K and GSK3, led to the inner cell mass and trophoblast cell number increased and blastocyst development speed. But it is similar to the extent of phosphorylation of E-cadherin and beta-catenin protein in the early placenta of cows with SCNT and normal insemination, therefore, the role of Wnt signaling pathway in the early formation and development of bovine placenta should be further understood and studied.     

Abnormal Expression of TIMP-2, SOD, Vimentin and PAI Proteins in Cloned Bovine Placentae

Cloned mammals suffer from high rates of placental abnormality and foetal loss during pregnancy. We previously used 2-D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry for global proteomic analysis of cloned and normal bovine placentae to identify differential protein expression patterns. Here, we used Western blot analysis to confirm the expression levels of several pregnancy-related proteins putatively identified as being differentially expressed in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) vs normal bovine placentae. The expression levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), its downstream protein, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), vimentin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI) were analysed in the placentae of SCNT cloned Korean native cattle that died immediately after birth and in normal placentae obtained by AI. Our results revealed that TIMP-2 and SOD were up-regulated in SCNT placenta compared with normal placenta, whereas MMP-2 levels were comparable in cloned and normal placentae, and vimentin and PAI were significantly down-regulated in SCNT compared with normal placentae. Our results suggest that key proteins of placental development are abnormally expressed in SCNT cloned bovine placentae, probably resulting in abnormal placental function and clonal mortality.     

胚胎移植前供体牛与受体牛血浆外泌体miRNA差异表达分析

【目的】 探索胚胎移植前供体牛与受体牛血浆外泌体miRNA的表达差异, 以明确血浆外泌体miRNA在牛早期妊娠中的作用及其调控机制。【方法】 以3~6岁、体重480~600 kg的夏南牛作为研究对象, 选取10头供体牛进行同期发情、超数排卵和人工授精, 23头受体牛只做同期发情处理。在人工授精后第7天, 冲洗供体牛子宫以获取囊胚, 选取3头囊胚数相近的供体牛及3头与供体牛体重和年龄均相近的受体牛, 颈静脉采血, 进行血浆外泌体的分离与鉴定; 然后提取血浆外泌体miRNA, 并检测其表达量; 采用R语言中的DESeq差异算法计算P值, 并筛选出P<0.05的miRNA, 对差异表达的miRNA进行靶基因预测、GO功能富集分析和KEGG信号通路分析。【结果】 6个样本的囊泡粒径均在135 nm左右, 符合外泌体的特征。与供体牛相比, 受体牛中有9个miRNAs表达显著上调(P<0.05), 13个miRNAs显著下调(P<0.05);22个差异表达的miRNAs中, 有15个miRNAs预测出无重复的靶基因2 990个。GO功能富集分析和KEGG信号通路分析的结果表明, 这些靶基因主要富集在与生物黏附(biological adhesion)、定位(localization)、细胞连接(cell junction)功能有关的通路上, 显著富集的信号通路与黏着斑(focal adhesion)、黏着连接(adherens junction)有关, 提示血浆外泌体miRNA可能参与调控胚胎着床。【结论】 研究结果可为筛选和探究影响胚胎着床的血浆外泌体miRNA提供参考, 并为进一步阐明血浆外泌体miRNA在母牛早期妊娠调控中的作用提供依据。     

Development potential of transgenic somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos according to various factors of donor cell

The present study was conducted to establish an efficient production system for bovine transgenic somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, the effect of various conditions of donor cells including cell type, size, and passage number on the developmental competence of transgenic SCNT embryos were examined with their expression rates of a marker gene. An expression plasmid for human prourokinase was constructed by inserting a bovine beta-casein promoter, a green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker gene, and a human prourokinase target gene into a pcDNA3 plasmid. Three types of bovine somatic cells including two adult cells (cumulus cells and ear fibroblasts) and fetal fibroblasts were prepared and transfected with the expression plasmid using a liposomal transfection reagent, Fugene6, as a carrier. In Experiment 1, three types of bovine cells were transfected at passages 2 to 4, and then trypsinized and GFP-expressing cells were randomly selected and used for SCNT. Developmental competence and rates of GFP expression in bovine transgenic SCNT embryos reconstructed with cumulus cells were significantly higher than those from fetal and ear fibroblasts. In all cell types used, GFP expression rates of SCNT embryos gradually decreased with the progression of embryo development. In Experiment 2, the effect of passage number of cumulus cells in early (2 to 4) and late (8 to 12) passages was investigated. No significant differences in the development of transgenic SCNT embryos were observed, but significantly higher GFP expression was shown in blastocysts reconstructed with cumulus cells at early passage. In Experiment 3, different sizes of GFP-expressing transfected cumulus cells [large (>30 microm) or small cell (<30 microm)] at passages 2 to 4 were used for SCNT. A significant improvement in embryo development and GFP expression was observed when small cumulus cells were used for SCNT. Taken together, these results demonstrate that (1) adult somatic cells as well as fetal cells could serve as donor cells in transgenic SCNT embryo production and cumulus cells with small size at early passage were the optimal cell type, and (2) transgenic SCNT embryos derived from adult somatic cells have embryonic development potential.     

Development of interspecies cloned monkey embryos reconstructed with bovine enucleated oocytes

This study was carried out to determine whether culture media reconstructed with bovine enucleated oocytes and the expression pattern of Oct-4 could support dedifferentiaton of monkey fibroblasts in interspecies cloned monkey embryos. In this study, monkey and bovine skin fibroblasts were used as donor cells for reconstruction with bovine enucleated oocytes. The reconstructed monkey interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) embryos were then cultured under six different culture conditions with modifications of the embryo culture media and normal bovine and monkey specifications. The Oct-4 expression patterns of the embryos were examined at the two-cell to blastocyst stages using immunocytochemistry. The monkey iSCNT embryos showed similar cleavage rates to those of bovine SCNT and bovine parthenogenetic activation (PA). However, the monkey iSCNT embryos were not able to develop beyond the 16-cell stage under any of the culture conditions. In monkey and bovine SCNT embryos, Oct-4 could be detected from the two-cell to blastocyst stage, and in bovine PA embryos, Oct-4 was detectable from the morula to blastocyst stage. These results suggested that bovine ooplasm could support dedifferentiation of monkey somatic cell nuclei but could not support embryo development to either the compact morula or blastocyst stage. In conclusion, we found that the culture conditions that tend to enhance monkey iSCNT embryo development and the expression pattern of Oct-4 in cloned embryos (monkey iSCNT and bovine SCNT) are different than in bovine PA embryos.     

Early Pregnancy Diagnosis by Serum Progesterone and Ultrasound in Sheep Carrying Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer-Derived Pregnancies

Early pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring play an important role following embryo transfer in sheep. The aims of the current study were to investigate (i) the pattern of serum progesterone profiles in sheep carrying somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)‐derived (clone) pregnancies, and (ii) the frequency of pregnancy loss during development following SCNT embryo transfer. Sheep SCNT embryos were made using standard nuclear transfer techniques. Day 7 embryos were surgically transferred to oestrus‐synchronized recipients (n = 27). As a control, normal fertile ewes (n = 12) were bred by natural breeding. Serum was collected from all the ewes on the day of estrus (day 0 sample), 7 days post‐estrus (day 7 sample) and 19 days post‐estrus (day 19 sample) and every 10 days thereafter until lambing or pregnancy loss occurred. Serum progesterone (P4) was assessed using enzyme immunoassay. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound scanning on day 35 of pregnancy followed by subsequent scanning every 10 days. In control ewes, pregnancy rate on day 35 was 83.3% (10/12), whereas in the ewes that received SCNT embryos, it was 22.2% (6/27; p < 0.05). The day 45 pregnancy rate in the control ewes was 83.3%, whereas in the SCNT embryo recipients it was 11.0% (p < 0.05). Hormone analysis revealed that SCNT embryo recipients exhibited a significantly lower P4 profiles at different time points in pregnancy compared to controls (p < 0.05). This study highlights the use of serum progesterone in combination with ultrasound for the investigation of embryo loss and crucial times during development of normal and SCNT embryos in sheep. Further, the serum P4 levels directly reflect the degree of placental development in these two groups.     

Developmental ability of somatic cell nuclear transferred embryos aggregated at the 8-cell stage or 16- to 32-cell stage in cattle

Aggregation of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos in mice is reported to improve full-term development. In the present study, we attempted to improve the development of SCNT embryos by aggregation in cattle. In Experiment 1, to examine the effect of the timing of aggregation on in vitro development of cumulus-cell NT embryos, we aggregated two or three SCNT embryos (2X or 3X embryos) at the 1-cell, 8-cell and 16- to 32-cell stages. Irrespective of the timing of aggregation, 3X embryos developed to the blastocyst stage at a high rate. However, aggregation did not improve the total blastocyst formation rate of the embryos used. The cell numbers of 3X embryos aggregated at the 1-cell stage and 2X embryos tended to be higher than that of single NT embryos (1X embryos). Furthermore, a significant increase in cell number was observed in 3X embryos aggregated at the 8-cell stage and 16- to 32-cell stage. In Experiment 2, we used fibroblast cells as nuclear donors and examined in vitro development of 3X embryos aggregated at the 8-cell stage and 16- to 32-cell stage. As a result, 3X embryos had high blastocyst formation rates and higher cell numbers than 1X embryos, which was consistent with the results of Experiment 1. In Experiment 3, we examined the full-term developmental ability of 3X embryos aggregated at the 8-cell stage and 16- to 32-cell stage. After transfer of fibroblast-derived NT embryos into recipient animals, a significantly higher pregnancy rate was obtained on Day 60 in 3X embryos than in 1X embryos. Two embryos aggregated at 8-cell stage and one embryo aggregated at the 16- to 32-cell stage developed to term, while no pregnancies derived from 1X embryos that lasted to Day 60. However, two of the cloned calves were stillborn. These results suggest that aggregation of the 8-cell stage or 16- to 32-cell stage SCNT embryos may improve the pregnancy rate, but that it cannot reduce the high incidence of fetal loss and stillbirth, which is often observed in bovine SCNT.     

miR-127和miR-136在转基因克隆绵羊胎盘中的表达分析及其靶基因的鉴定

克隆动物胎盘发育缺陷是造成动物克隆效率低下的一个重要原因。目前认为克隆胎盘发育异常通常是由于一些基因表达的异常所致,与表观遗传修饰有关。microRNA是一种重要的表观遗传修饰方式,对动物胚胎发育和胎盘的形成有着重要的调控作用。为研究miR-127和miR-136在克隆动物胎盘中的表达情况及其与克隆动物发育缺陷的关系,本实验运用荧光定量PCR分析了死亡克隆绵羊胎盘和同期普通绵羊胎盘组织中miR-127和miR-136的相对表达量,并鉴定了miR-127和miR-136的靶基因及靶基因在胎盘中的表达情况。结果显示,miR-127和miR-136在克隆绵羊胎盘中的表达量分别增加了3.1和2.8倍。EGFP荧光敲除实验证实,胎盘发育相关基因Rtl1是miR-127和miR-136的靶基因,同时定量PCR分析发现Rtl1基因在克隆绵羊胎盘中的表达量降低了3/5。结果说明,miR-127和miR-136在克隆胎盘中的异常表达可导致Rtl1基因的低表达,这很可能是导致克隆动物死亡的一个重要原因。