动物性成熟启动的调控机理

 人类的性早熟表现为病理状态,而在动物上,性早熟则是一个在生产上具有重要价值的经济性状。动物性成熟启动是一个复杂的生物学过程,受下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴调控。"允许信号"和"发育时钟"传达了机体生长发育、能量平衡和环境变化信息,决定了性成熟启动前期处于休眠状态的GnRH神经元激活;GnRH神经元抑制性输入减少和兴奋性输入增加引发了高频GnRH脉冲分泌,促进配子形成和性类固醇激素分泌;类固醇激素又通过负反馈通路影响GnRH分泌并促进性行为。神经胶质细胞也参与了性成熟的启动,主要涉及生长因子家族、神经细胞粘合分子和神经接触蛋白。GnRH基因的表观遗传修饰变化可能在动物性成熟启动过程中发挥了重要作用。     

神经胶质细胞对GnRH神经元的调控机制研究进展

促性腺激素释放激素(gonadotropin-releasing hormone,GnRH)神经元是控制生殖的主要神经元。下丘脑GnRH神经元的适时激活,兴奋性和抑制性信号跨突触传递的严格控制,决定了性腺发育和成年个体的繁殖能力。研究表明,神经胶质细胞是调控GnRH神经元的主要细胞,神经胶质细胞利用胞体和突起,通过多种细胞和分子机制调控GnRH神经元,包括分泌旁分泌因子调控GnRH神经元,通过黏合分子和具有重塑性的神经胶质细胞覆盖GnRH神经元来完成神经胶质细胞和GnRH神经元之间的接触依赖性通讯。论文对神经胶质细胞调控GnRH神经元活性和分泌的机制进行了综述,以期对神经胶质细胞在生殖调控中的作用有更深入的了解。     

鸡类KISS-1基因克隆及EST序列表达验证分析

性成熟启动是一个复杂的生理过程,受"下丘脑-垂体-性腺"轴控制。决定性成熟启动的关键性事件是下丘脑促性腺激素释放激素(GnRH)脉冲式释放增加,KISS-1基因编码产物Kisspeptin通过其受体GPR54能够直接刺激GnRH释放,进而启动性成熟进程,KISS-1/GPR54系统被认为是性成熟启动的关键看门基因。禽类的KISS-1基因在GenBank中尚未被清晰注释。本文以文昌鸡为素材,采用比较基因组学方法分析了不同物种KISS-1及其上、下游基因在染色体上的分布,确定了鸡chr26:1522493-1532710区域为候选片段,通过PCR扩增和克隆测序获得了该候选片段完整序列(命名为类KISS-1序列);同时,采用BLAST程序搜索出9个同源性在50%~85%的EST序列,通过拼接得到3个延伸EST序列。表达验证分析表明,3个延伸EST序列在文昌鸡下丘脑组织cDNA文库中均有表达。     

Kisspeptin对哺乳动物生殖调控的研究进展

Kisspeptin是由KISS1基因编码的一种神经肽。Kisspeptin与其受体是GnRH神经元上游的关键调节因子,通过调控GnRH释放刺激垂体促性腺激素的分泌。Kisspeptin在哺乳动物下丘脑、垂体和性腺等器官组织中表达,参与下丘脑-垂体-性腺(HPG)轴功能调控,在哺乳动物生殖过程中发挥重要作用。文章主要从下丘脑、垂体和性腺三个方面阐述Kisspeptin对哺乳动物生殖功能的调控作用,并就Kisspeptin在动物初情期启动、季节性繁殖和繁殖性能上的研究进行分析总结,以期为Kisspeptin在动物繁殖领域的研究和应用提供参考依据。     

Kisspeptins/GPR54系统及其在动物性发育中的作用

促性腺释放激素（gonadotropin-releasing hormone,GnRH）脉冲式释放的激活是动物性发育的关键。研究结果发现,kisspeptins/GPR54系统对GnRH脉冲式释放的激活起到了重要作用,是性发育启动的调节器。在kisspeptins/GPR54胞内信号通路方面的研究也已经证实,kisspeptins能通过GPR54受体激活多种信号,以发挥其它功能。另外,光周期、机体能量储备等也是影响动物性发育的重要因素。     

Leptin/TRPC离子通道调控动物初情期启动的研究进展

动物初情期的启动是其从幼年发育到获得繁殖能力的标志,初情期出现的迟早直接关系到性成熟和以后的繁殖性能。研究发现,很多基因及相关信号通路参与动物初情期启动的调控。目前,关于Leptin信号通路调控动物初情期的报道居多,而TRPC离子通道调控动物初情期的相关综述鲜见报道。因此,文章对Leptin/TRPC离子通道调控动物初情期启动的研究进展进行了综述,以期为深入解析Leptin基因介导的TRPC通路依赖神经元通道电流变化,进而调节神经信号传导,最终调控动物初情期启动的机制研究提供文献参考。     

鸡性成熟启动前后下丘脑microRNA表达谱分析

本研究旨在探讨miRNA在鸡性成熟启动调控中的作用。利用Solexa高通量测序技术检测了鸡性成熟启动前(Before puberty onset,BPO)和性成熟启动后(After puberty onset,APO)下丘脑中miRNA表达谱,通过生物信息学方法进行靶基因预测和功能分析。结果表明,在鸡下丘脑中鉴定出374个已知miRNAs、46个新miRNAs,144个已知miRNAs(reads10)的表达水平在性成熟启动前后发生了显著改变(P0.05)。5个差异表达miRNAs被qRT-PCR方法进一步验证。15个差异最显著miRNA(|log2(fold-change)|2.0,P0.01)预测到2 013个靶基因,GO富集和KEGG调节通路分析结果表明,这些差异表达miRNAs在性成熟启动转录调节和信号转导通路中发挥了重要作用。综上表明,miRNA是参与鸡性成熟启动新的调节因子。鉴于miRNA功能的保守性,该研究结果将为深入开展动物(包括人类)性成熟的分子调控机制研究提供新的理论依据。     

突触及突触传递的研究概况

突触是神经元发出和接受神经冲动的基本结构 ,神经递质是通过突触的胞吐形式来传递所载信息 ,在胞吐过程中突触结合蛋白起着相当重要的作用。三磷酸鸟苷 (GTP)结合蛋白具有GTP酶的活性 ,可将GTP水解成GDP ,突触结合蛋白I(SytI)是一种膜整合蛋白 ,起着钙感受器的作用 ,Ca2 结合蛋白存在于突触囊泡膜上 ,调节融合孔的开放与关闭。神经递质及相应受体在突触传递过程中是不可缺少的因素 ,谷氨酸、γ 氨基丁酸 (GABA)、5 羟色胺 (5 HT)等及其受体是神经系统信息传递的主要物质基础 ,同时突触囊泡释放神经递质是一个由多种蛋白质介导的复杂过程     

浅谈促性腺激素释放激素受体的研究

促性腺激素释放激素(GnRH)在体内的重要功能是通过促性腺激素释放激素受体(GnRH受体)介导的。在1990年,由Mellon和他的合作者获得了SV40转化的转基因小鼠促性腺细胞系At3-1,为最终获得GnRH受体的分子结构提供了宝贵的试验材料,从而使GnRH及其受体分子调控机制的研究跨入了新的阶段。近年来,GnRH受体的分布、表达、调节等在神经内分泌、生殖生物学领域得到了深入的研究,使人们对GnRH受体的功能有了更深的认识。1GnRH受体的结构GnRH受体由327～328个氨基酸残基组成,有7个跨膜结构域,属G蛋白偶联受体,与其它G蛋白偶联受体不同的是,…     

小尾寒羊GnRH基因CDS区的生物信息学分析

为探讨小尾寒羊GnRH基因CDS区编码蛋白的性质和功能,采用生物信息学相关软件和工具对小尾寒羊GnRH基因编码蛋白的理化性质、结构功能及其同源进化关系进行了分析预测。结果显示:小尾寒羊GnRH基因CDS区编码328个氨基酸,产物为一种不溶于水的稳定性蛋白,蛋白质的二三级结构主要由α-螺旋和无规则卷曲构成;蛋白质功能预测结果显示,该蛋白在信号转导、免疫应答过程以及生长因子和荷尔蒙分泌中发挥作用的几率相对较高;同源性分析发现,小尾寒羊GnRH基因编码氨基酸序列与山羊的同源性较高。说明GnRH基因在羊的生殖调控和免疫应答中发挥着重要作用。     

Chronic Peripheral Administration of Kappa-Opioid Receptor Antagonist Advances Puberty Onset Associated with Acceleration of Pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone Secretion in Female Rats

Puberty in mammals is timed by an increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Previous studies have shown involvement of the two neuropeptides, kisspeptin and neurokinin B (NKB), in controlling puberty onset. Little is known about the role of the other key neuropeptide, dynorphin, in controlling puberty onset, although these three neuropeptides colocalize in the arcuate kisspeptin neurons. The arcuate kisspeptin neuron, which is also referred to as the KNDy neuron, has recently been considered to play a role as an intrinsic source of the GnRH pulse generator. The present study aimed to determine if attenuation of inhibitory dynorphin-kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) signaling triggers the initiation of puberty in normal developing female rats. The present study also determined if stimulatory NKB-neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R) signaling advances puberty onset. Female Wistar-Imamichi rats were weaned and intraperitoneally implanted with osmotic minipumps filled with nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), a KOR antagonist, or senktide, a NK3R agonist, at 20 days of age. Fourteen days of intraperitoneal infusion of nor-BNI or senktide advanced puberty onset, manifested as vaginal opening and the first vaginal estrus in female rats. Frequent blood sampling showed that nor-BNI significantly increased luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency at 29 days of age compared with vehicle-treated controls. Senktide tended to increase this frequency, but its effect was not statistically significant. The present results suggest that the inhibitory input of dynorphin-KOR signaling plays a role in the prepubertal restraint of GnRH/LH secretion in normal developing female rats and that attenuation of dynorphin-KOR signaling and increase in NKB-NK3R signaling trigger the onset of puberty in female rats.     

初情期启动过程中小尾寒羊下丘脑GnRH基因甲基化状态及表达量关系研究

初情期启动的早晚关系到雌性动物的繁殖性能,GnRH是动物初情期启动过程中的关键基因,其启动子区甲基化状态与GnRH mRNA表达量之间的关系尚不清楚。本研究选择初情期前、临近初情期和初情期雌性小尾寒羊的下丘脑作为样本,利用亚硫酸氢盐测序(BSP)技术和实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)技术检测了初情期不同阶段小尾寒羊GnRH启动子区的甲基化状态和GnRH mRNA的表达量,并分析二者之间的关系。结果表明:小尾寒羊到达初情期时,GnRH基因启动子区甲基化水平显著降低(P0.05),尤其是在启动子区-570位点降低最明显,而随着初情期的启动GnRH mRNA表达量呈上升趋势。结果提示,初情期启动过程中,GnRH mRNA表达量升高可能与下丘脑GnRH基因启动子区特定位点甲基化水平降低存在一定的关系。     

GnRH依赖型性早熟遗传调控系统研究进展

性早熟在人类上表现为病理状态,而在家禽生产上则是一个具有重要经济价值的性状。人类性早熟调控机理的研究较为透彻,尤其是近年来全基因关联分析方法的应用,使得研究者对于性成熟启动相关新基因发掘及其调控网络的认识更加深入。论文综述了人类Gn-RH依赖型性早熟(GDPP)的5个基因调控系统,包括kisspeptin系统、γ-GABA系统、NPY和leptin系统、LIN28B系统和NKB系统的研究进展,为禽类早熟性状研究提供依据。     

哺乳动物性晚熟相关基因的研究进展

人和哺乳动物性的发育和成熟源于下丘脑性腺激素释放激素（gonadotropin releasing hormone,GnRH）脉冲式释放。GnRH释放受到抑制或破坏,就会导致性腺机能减退,人在发育前和发育期就会出现发育迟缓和性发育不良,表现为无精症或闭经;动物则表现为初情期延迟、生殖能力下降等表型。编码促性腺激素及其受体基因的突变可能引起哺乳动物性晚熟。笔者简要介绍了GPR54、GnRH/GnRHR、FSH/FSHR、LH/LHR基因与哺乳动物性晚熟的关系。     

济宁青山羊生后发育阶段GnRH与GnRHR阳性细胞在下丘脑分布规律的研究

为研究济宁青山羊生后发育阶段GnRH及GnRHR在下丘脑内的形态学分布和变化规律,采用链霉亲和素-生物素-过氧化物酶复合物(Strept Avidin Biotin-Peroxidase Complex,SABC)免疫组织化学方法,对0、2、4和6月龄雌性济宁青山羊下丘脑中GnRH及GnRHR的分布进行了同步研究。结果显示,GnRH和GnRHR免疫阳性细胞在下丘脑内广泛存在,主要分布于视前内侧区、乳头体、视上核和视交叉上核。随月龄增长,GnRH和GnRHR阳性细胞不断增大,数量不断增多,其中0～2月龄是最快的时期。结果提示,下丘脑分泌的GnRH及GnRHR对生后发育阶段青山羊性成熟的启动及维持有重要作用。     

The role of kisspeptin and gonadotropin inhibitory hormone in the seasonal regulation of reproduction in sheep

Sheep are seasonal breeders, experiencing an annual period of reproductive quiescence in response to increased photoperiod during the late-winter into spring and renaissance during the late summer. The nonbreeding (anestrous) season is characterized by a reduction in the pulsatile secretion of GnRH from the brain, in part because of an increase in negative feedback activity of estrogen. Neuronal populations in the hypothalamus that produce kisspeptin and gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) appear to be important for the seasonal shift in reproductive activity, and the former are also mandatory for puberty onset. Kisspeptin cells in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and preoptic area appear to regulate GnRH neurons and transmit sex-steroid feedback signals to these neurons. Moreover, kisspeptin expression in the ARC is markedly up-regulated at the onset of the breeding season, as too are the number of kisspeptin fibers in close apposition to GnRH neurons. The lower levels of kisspeptin seen during the nonbreeding season can be "corrected" by infusion of kisspeptin, which causes ovulation in seasonally acyclic females. The role of GnIH is less clear, but mounting evidence supports a role for this neuropeptide in the inhibitory regulation of both GnRH secretion and gonadotropin release from the pituitary gland. Contrary to kisspeptin, GnIH expression is markedly reduced at the onset of the breeding season. In addition, the number of GnIH fibers in close apposition to GnRH neurons also decreases during this time. Importantly, exogenous GnIH treatment can block both the pulsatile release of LH and the preovulatory LH surge during the breeding season. In summary, it is most likely the integrated function of both these neuropeptide systems that modulate the annual shift in photoperiod to a physiological change in fertility.     

KISS1 Gene Expression in the Developing Brain of Female Pigs in Pre- and Peripubertal Periods

Puberty is associated with an increase in gonadotropin secretion as a result of an increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Kisspeptin is considered to play a key role in puberty onset in many mammalian species, including rodents, ruminants and primates. The present study aimed to determine if changes in hypothalamic expression of the KISS1 gene, encoding kisspeptin, are associated with the onset of puberty in pigs. The animals (n=4 in each group) were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 months old, as prepubertal stages, and at 5 months old, as the peripubertal stage, following each blood sampling. KISS1 gene expressions in coronal sections of brains were visualized by in situ hybridization. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) was measured by radioimmunoassay. KISS1 mRNA signals were observed in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) at all ages examined without any significant difference in the number of KISS1-expressing cells, indicating that the KISS1 gene is constantly expressed in the ARC throughout pubertal development in pigs. The plasma LH concentration was the highest in 0-month-old piglets and significantly decreased in the 1- and 2 month-old groups (P<0.05), suggesting a developing negative feedback mechanism affecting gonadotropin release during the prepubertal period. Considering the potent stimulating effect of kisspeptin on gonadotropin release in prepubertal pigs, kisspeptin secretion rather than kisspeptin synthesis may be responsible for the onset of puberty in pigs.     

Induction of ovulation in the prepuberal gilt by pulsatile administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone

An attempt was made to induce precocious puberty in gilts approximately 164 days of age by stimulating a luteinizing hormone (LH) secretory pattern similar to that which occurs before normal onset of puberty. Hourly iv administration of 1 μg synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) for 7 or 8 days resulted in a mean serum LH concentration of 1.7 ± .3 ng/ml in three treated gilts compared with .9 ± .1 ng/ml in three control gilts (P<.08). Serum LH peak frequency was also greater (P<.05) in treated (3.4 ± .5 peaks/4 hr) than in control gilts (1.2 ± .1 peaks/4 hr), but serum LH peak amplitude was not altered (P>.33) by GnRH treatment. All treated gilts displayed estrus and ovulated within 6 days after treatment began, and all control gilts remained prepuberal throughout the study (P=.05). Only one of the three treated gilts displayed a normal estrous cycle and reovulated after treatment. Precocious ovulation but not puberty was induced in gilts by hourly administration of 1 μg synthetic GnRH, indicating that the pituitary and ovaries of 164-day-old gilts are competent and that final sexual maturation occurs at the hypothalamic level.