间隙连接蛋白Cx43和Cx45在体外受精绵羊早期胚胎中的表达

为了研究间隙连接蛋白Cx43和Cx45在体外受精绵羊胚胎早期发育过程各阶段的表达情况，利用RT—PCR扩增得到绵羊。Cx43（43ku）及Cx45（45ku）基因的mRNA，并进行序列测定。收集绵羊未成熟和成熟卵母细胞以及体外受精早期胚胎各发育阶段的卵裂球细胞，通过RT—PCR半定量检测Cx43和Cx45基因的mRNA表达量；通过免疫组织化学方法结合激光扫描共聚焦显微镜检测Cx43和Cx45蛋白在绵羊体外受精的早期胚胎发育过程中的表达情况及表达区域。结果表明，在绵羊卵母细胞成熟过程以及早期胚胎发育的各个时期，Cx43及Cx45在mRNA水平和蛋白水平均有表达；Cx43、Cx45蛋白主要分布在细胞膜表面，在细胞质和细胞核中表达微弱。研究结果为进一步探索Cx43和Cx45在绵羊早期胚胎发育过程中的作用提供了试验数据。     

颗粒细胞对卵泡发育的影响

卵泡发育是一个复杂的生理过程,通过间隙连接,颗粒细胞在卵母细胞的生长发育过程中起营养作用,并促进卵母细胞的成熟;颗粒细胞和膜细胞的相互作用是卵泡发育和维持正常功能的重要条件。作为卵泡发育的标志,颗粒细胞的生长分化是原始卵泡启动和生长的关键,并通过受体介导途径调控生长期卵泡的发育及卵泡闭锁,从而在卵泡发育过程中起重要的调控作用。     

维生素E通过间隙连接蛋白Cx43对牛颗粒细胞凋亡及增殖的影响

本研究旨在研究维生素E对间隙连接蛋白Cx43的影响和其对牛颗粒细胞增殖与凋亡的作用及其机制。将从牛卵巢中分离获得颗粒细胞进行体外培养,用不同浓度的维生素E (0、25、50、100、200、500 μmol/L)处理细胞24 h。采用流式细胞术检测颗粒细胞的凋亡率、实时荧光定量PCR法检测凋亡标志基因BCL2/BAX、P53及Cx43 mRNA的表达变化、CCK8法检测颗粒细胞的增殖变化。结果表明:流式细胞术检测显示,与对照组相比,体外培养过程中添加100 μmol/L维生素E可显著抑制颗粒细胞凋亡(P<0.05),实时荧光定量PCR检测显示维生素E能引起BCL2/BAX、P53及Cx43基因表达显著变化(P<0.05),CCK8检测显示维生素E处理细胞24和36 h时可以显著促进颗粒细胞增殖(P<0.05)。此研究结果为深入解析维生素E通过影响颗粒细胞增殖、凋亡进而影响卵母细胞发育、成熟的机制及提高雌性动物繁殖能力提供了理论依据。     

Ghrelin对鸡等级前卵泡发育的影响

旨在研究Ghrelin对产蛋鸡等级前卵泡发育的调节作用.通过RT-PCR方法检测卵泡Ghrelin受体(GH-SR)的表达情况,采用组织学和免疫组化方法探讨Ghrelin和促卵泡素(FSH)单独或联合处理对鸡等级前卵泡形态学的变化以及层粘连蛋白(LN)和缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)的标记率.结果表明,GHSR在颗粒层和膜层上均有表达,其表达量随着卵泡的发育分别至大白卵泡(LWF)和小黄卵泡(SYF)达到最高,随后逐渐降低.悬浮培养的卵泡经Ghrelin和FSH处理24 h后,LWF和SYF的颗粒层和膜层厚度及颗粒细胞密度均显著增加(P＜0.05).同时,颗粒细胞中LN和Cx43的标记率显著提高(P＜0.05),且以Ghrelin与FSH联合处理组最为显著.结果提示,Ghrelin可通过提高LN和Cx43的表达以增强颗粒细胞的连接功能,促进鸡等级前卵泡颗粒细胞的增殖,并可协同FSH调节卵泡的发育.     

Kit和KitL在卵泡发育过程中的作用

在卵泡内,卵母细胞及其周围的颗粒细胞之间的旁分泌作用对哺乳动物的卵子发生和卵泡发育是非常重要的。研究表明颗粒细胞衍生的KitL(Kitligand,stem cell factor,SCF)与卵母细胞和膜细胞产生的Kit的相互作用在PGCs迁移和增殖、卵泡发育过程中有重要的作用。本文重点阐述了由KitL通过Kit激活的PI3K(phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶)通路,它对卵母细胞生长、凋亡和卵泡早期发育起重要的调节作用。     

绵羊卵泡发育过程中关键信号通路研究进展

卵泡从原始卵泡发育为成熟卵泡，直至排卵、黄体发育等过程都受到精密的调控，产生大量的优势卵泡是绵羊产多羔及实现快速扩繁的关键因素。研究发现，相关信号通路和转录因子通过影响绵羊卵泡中卵母细胞、颗粒细胞的生长，进而调控卵泡的发育成熟，对这些信号通路进行深入了解，有助于探索卵泡发育的调控机制，早日实现绵羊高效繁育。Notch是卵泡发育过程中发挥重要作用的高度保守信号通路，PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路各成员都是广泛存在于细胞内的信号转导分子，在卵泡发育早期发挥了主要作用，还有间隙连接（gap junction，GJ）和跨带突触（transzonal projections，TZPs）等物理连接方式，在细胞间的交流通讯起到重要作用。作者详细介绍了Notch信号通路、PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路、间隙连接及跨带突触的结构功能在绵羊卵泡发育中的调控作用，为进一步探明绵羊卵泡发育的调控机制提供参考。     

卵泡FSH受体mRNA的表达及其对卵母细胞体外培养成熟率的影响

本研究采用RT-PCR技术检测了猪大、中、小卵泡颗粒细胞中FSH受体(FSHR)mRNA的表达差异,比较和分析了受体表达差异及其对卵母细胞体外成熟培养的影响。结果表明大、中、小卵泡中颗粒细胞都有FSHR mRNA表达,大卵泡的颗粒细胞与小、中卵泡的颗粒细胞FSHR mRNA相对表达量有显著差异(P<0.05),中、小卵泡的颗粒细胞FSHR mRNA相对表达量之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。不同大小卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟培养结果表明,小卵泡与大、中卵泡比较,卵丘细胞扩展率和第一极体排出率差异显著(P<0.05)。这表明猪不同大小卵泡颗粒细胞FSHR mRNA的表达量与其卵母细胞体外培养成熟率呈相关性,进一步证实FSHR在猪卵泡及卵母细胞发育中起着重要作用。     

猪各级卵泡内EGF mRNA表达的研究

研究EGF mRNA在猪各级卵泡内的表达。采用RT－PCR技术检测猪大卵泡，中卵泡和小卵泡中，以及各级卵泡卵母细胞和颗粒细胞中EGF的mRNA的表达。结果表明大卵泡，中卵泡和小卵泡中都有EGF的mRNA表达，但看不出明显的强弱变化，卵母细胞和颗粒细胞中也有表达，且从小卵泡到中卵泡到大卵泡有明显减少的趋势，卵母细胞比颗粒细胞表达强烈。进一步证实EGF在猪卵泡及卵母细胞发育中起着重要作用。     

BMP-6对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

为研究BMP-6在猪卵泡发育过程中的作用,采用免疫荧光和Western blot技术检测BMP-6在猪排卵前卵泡卵母细胞、颗粒细胞以及卵泡液中的表达;在猪卵母细胞体外成熟培养过程中分别添加5、25及50 ng/mL BMP-6蛋白,观察其对猪卵母细胞在体外成熟过程中的影响。结果表明,猪排卵前卵泡的卵母细胞和颗粒细胞以及卵泡液中均存在BMP-6蛋白,体外添加不同浓度的BMP-6蛋白均能明显促进猪卵母细胞体外成熟,说明BMP-6在猪卵泡发育及猪卵母细胞的成熟过程中发挥作用。     

水牛卵丘颗粒细胞凋亡与卵母细胞体外发育潜能的研究

为了探讨水牛卵母细胞体外发育潜能与卵丘颗粒细胞凋亡之间的关系,本研究将水牛卵母细胞体外培养22～24 h后,取其卵丘颗粒细胞,采用Annexin V-FITC法进行颗粒细胞凋亡染色,进行凋亡率的分析,并与卵母细胞的成熟情况和卵母细胞的评分及形成卵裂、囊胚的结果进行对照.结果发现,随着卵母细胞成熟时间的增加,卵丘颗粒细胞凋亡率升高;随着卵母细胞评分和发育潜能的降低,卵丘颗粒细胞凋亡率逐渐升高.由此表明,卵母细胞发育潜能与卵丘颗粒细胞凋亡密切相关,通过测定卵丘颗粒细胞的凋亡率可预测未成熟卵母细胞的发育潜能.     

水牛缝隙连接蛋白43基因克隆及表达

本研究克隆了水牛缝隙连接蛋白43(connexin 43,Cx43)基因序列,并运用生物信息学方法对其核苷酸序列的保守性和氨基酸的理化性质、蛋白质结构进行了系统分析,对Cx43基因在水牛不同组织和不同发育阶段卵泡中的表达差异进行了检测。结果表明,应用RT-PCR技术克隆获得了水牛Cx43基因序列,其中编码区全长1152 bp,编码383个氨基酸,蛋白质理论分子质量43.13 ku,等电点为8.88。多重序列比对结果显示,水牛Cx43核苷酸序列与牛、羊、猪、马和人相应序列的同源性分别为99%、98%、94%、93%和92%,系统进化树分析结果推测,Cx43基因在不同物种进化过程中具有高度保守性;对水牛Cx43蛋白的二级和三级结构分析发现,其具有缝隙连接蛋白的特有结构。定量RT-PCR结果显示,Cx43在水牛卵巢组织中相对表达量最高,睾丸、肾脏、心脏和皮肤次之,肝脏和大脑表达量较低。免疫组化结果发现,Cx43蛋白表达随卵泡发育时期的不同而变化,Cx43蛋白随卵泡发育表达逐渐增强。     

Expression of gap junction protein connexin 43 during follicular atresia in the ovary of swamp buffaloes

The present study was performed to detect the presence of gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) and describe the changes in its expression during ovarian follicular atresia in the swamp buffalo in comparison with cattle. Ovaries of Philippine swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis; SB) and Holstein-Friesian cows (Bos taurus; HF) were collected from slaughterhouses, fixed in 10% formalin in PBS and embedded in paraffin. Sections of healthy follicles and at various follicular stages of atresia were immunostained with anti-Cx43 antibody. Cx43 appeared as punctate staining between granulosa cells (healthy to advanced atretic follicles), indicating assembled gap junctions, but was absent in the theca interna. In SB as well as in HF, granulosa cells showed a dense, moderate, and sparse immunoreactivity to Cx43 in healthy, early atretic, and advanced atretic follicles, respectively. Cumulus cells (in the advanced atretic follicle) surrounding oocytes and adjacent granulosa layers retain the Cx43 protein, although there was only a sparse expression of Cx43 observed in the granulosa layers distant from oocytes in the same follicles. The results indicate that gap junction protein Cx43 decreases in association with atresia and supports the concept that a loss of gap junctional communication plays a coordinating role in the process of atresia. Furthermore, the schema of Cx43 immunoreactivity in SB granulosa cells is similar to that of HF.     

Expression of gap junctional connexin proteins in ovine fetal ovaries: effects of maternal diet

Gap junctions have been implicated in the regulation of cellular metabolism and the coordination of cellular functions during growth and differentiation of organs and tissues, and gap junctions play a major role in direct cell-cell communication. Gap junctional channels and connexin (Cx) proteins have been detected in adult ovaries in several species. Furthermore, it has been shown that several environmental factors, including maternal diet, may affect fetal organ growth and function. To determine whether maternal diet affects expression of Cx26, Cx32, Cx37, and Cx43 in fetal ovaries, sheep were fed a maintenance (M) diet with adequate (A) selenium (Se) or high (H) Se levels from 21 d before breeding to day 132 of pregnancy. From day 50 to 132 of pregnancy (tissue collection day), a portion of the ewes from the ASe and HSe groups was fed a restricted (R; 60% of M) diet. Sections of fetal ovaries were immunostained for the presence of Cxs followed by image analysis. All four Cxs were detected, but the distribution pattern differed. Cx26 was immunolocalized in the oocytes from primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles; in granulosa and theca layers of secondary and antral follicles; stroma; and blood vessels. Cx32 was in oocytes, granulosa, and theca cells in a portion of antral follicles; Cx37 was on the borders between oocyte and granulosa/cumulus cells of primordial to antral follicles and in endothelium; and Cx43 was on cellular borders in granulosa and theca layers and between oocyte and granulosa/cumulus cells of primordial to antral follicles. Maternal diet affected Cx26 and Cx43 expression, Cx26 in granulosa layer of antral follicles was decreased (P < 0.01) by HSe in the M and R diets, and Cx43 in granulosa layer of primary and granulosa and theca of antral follicles was increased (P < 0.05) by the M diet with HSe. Thus, Cxs may be differentially involved in regulation of fetal ovarian function in sheep. These data emphasize the importance of maternal diet in fetal growth and development.     

Expression of connexin 43 protein in testes, epididymides and prostates of stallions

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a ubiquitously distributed gap junction protein in testes and other reproductive tissues. Adjacent cells share ions and small metabolites through intercellular channels, which are present in gap junctions. Previously, Cx43 has not been reported in testes, epididymides and prostates either in healthy stallions or cryptorchid horses. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the expression pattern of Cx43 in the reproductive tissues of stallions and examine whether naturally occurring bilateral cryptorchidism has any influence on distribution and expression of Cx43. METHODS: The expression and the presence of Cx43 protein were detected by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis using a polyclonal rabbit anti-Cx43 antibody. RESULTS: In stallions, gap junctions appeared as structures localised to cell-cell contacts between adjacent cells. In testes, Cx43 expression was detected in the interstitial tissue and seminiferous tubules, between Leydig and Sertoli, as well as Sertoli and germ cells. In epididymides, Cx43 was localised between epithelial cells, whereas in prostates, between secretory cells of the glandular epithelium. In the cryptorchid, a clear reduction of Cx43 signal was observed in all reproductive tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Coupling of Leydig cells via gap junctions may suggest that steroidogenic function of the testis is under the influence of these intercellular channels. Within seminiferous tubules, the expression was found to be stage-specific, pointing to its role in coordinating spermatogenesis. Differential distribution of Cx43 protein in the reproductive tract of normal and cryptorchid stallions indicates that expression is clearly dependent on the physiological status of the horse. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Detection of Cx43 expression in equine testicular, epididymal, and prostatic cells is important for a better understanding of the role of intercellular membrane channels in direct cell communication within the reproductive tract of stallions.     

Expression of Connexin 43 in the Porcine Foetal Gonads During Development

This study was designed to reveal connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA and protein expression in porcine foetal gonads using RT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Expression of Cx43 was investigated in porcine foetal ovaries and testes on days 50, 70 and 90 post coitum (p.c.). RT‐PCR results indicated that Cx43 mRNA was expressed in both foetal ovaries and testes at all gestational ages examined. Cx43 protein was found in the foetal ovary but its distribution varied across ovarian compartments and changed during development. In foetal ovaries, Cx43 was localized between the interstitial cells surrounding egg nests on all investigated days of prenatal period. Moreover, Cx43 expression was observed between germ cells on day 50 p.c. as well as between pre‐granulosa and granulosa cells of primordial and primary follicles on days 70 and 90 p.c. In the foetal testes, Cx43 protein was detected between neighbouring Leydig cells on all examined days of prenatal period and between adjacent Sertoli cells exclusively on day 90 p.c. The presence of Cx43 protein in all investigated foetal gonads was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Cx43 protein detection between pre‐granulosa cells of primordial follicles suggests its role in regulation of the initial stages of follicle development. The Cx43 immunoexpression between neighbouring Leydig and between Sertoli cells indicates its involvement in controlling their functions. We propose that Cx43‐mediated gap junctional communication is involved in the regulation of porcine foetal gonadal development.     

PKA implicated in the phosphorylation of Cx43 induced by stimulation with FSH in rat granulosa cells

Connexin 43 (Cx43)-mediated gap junctional communication in granulosa cells is crucial for germ line development and postnatal folliculogenesis. We previously showed that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promoted phosphorylation of Cx43 in rat primary granulosa cells. We further identified Ser365, Ser368, Ser369, and Ser373 in the carboxy-terminal tail as the major sites of phosphorylation by FSH, and found that the phosphorylation of these residues was essential for channel activity. In this study, we investigated the protein kinase(s) responsible for FSH-induced phosphorylation. H89, a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor, inhibited FSH-induced phosphorylation both in vivo and in vitro, whereas PD98059, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, had little effect on the phosphorylation level. Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (PKC) appeared to negatively regulate phosphorylation. Phosphopeptide mapping with or without H89 treatment indicated that PKA could be responsible for phosphorylation of the four serine residues. In addition, the purified catalytic subunit of PKA could phosphorylate the recombinant C-terminal region of Cx43, but not the variant in which all four serine residues were substituted with alanine. These results suggest that FSH positively regulates Cx43-mediated channel formation and activity through phosphorylation of specific sites by PKA.     

Changes of Connexin43 Expression in Non‐pregnant Porcine Myometrium Correlate with Progesterone Concentration During Oestrous Cycle

Connexin43 (Cx43) is a major protein of myometrial gap junctions. The number of Cx43 gap junctions increase dramatically with the onset of labour in association with development of synchronized uterine contractions. The formation of myometrial gap junctions follows an increase in the oestrogen to progesterone ratio indicating an important role of steroid hormones in regulating Cx43 expression at term. However, no relationship has been established between the expression of Cx43 in the non‐pregnant myometrium and concentration of steroid hormones during the oestrous cycle. Here, we used immunofluorescence and Western blotting to analyse the expression of Cx43 gap junctions in the myometrium of pre‐pubertal pigs (n = 7) and mature pigs at pre‐ovulatory (n = 7), luteal (n = 5) and late luteal (n = 3) stages of the oestrous cycle. The number of Cx43 gap junctions calculated per 1 mm² of the myometrial section was low in pre‐pubertal pigs and significantly higher (p < 0.022) in pre‐ovulatory animals. In relation to pre‐ovulatory animals the number of myometrial gap junctions was significantly lower (p < 0.019) at the luteal phase and correlated with significantly higher (p < 0.005) concentration of endogenous progesterone. Phosphorylated isoforms of Cx43 protein were expressed in the myometrium of pre‐pubertal pigs and mature animals at pre‐ovulatory and late luteal phases, while they were down regulated at the luteal stage. These results indicate that changes of Cx43 expression in the porcine myometrium during the oestrous cycle may be regulated by progesterone concentration and may contribute to the modulation of uterine motility.     

Prenatal and neonatal exposure to the antiandrogen flutamide alters connexin 43 gene expression in adult porcine ovary

Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the predominant gap junction protein within porcine ovary and is required for proper follicle and corpus luteum (CL) development. Recent research suggests maternally or neonatally mediated effects of antiandrogens on reproductive function during adulthood, notably those dependent on gap junctional communication. The current study was conducted to determine whether late gestational or neonatal exposure to the antiandrogen flutamide influences Cx43 gene expression in the adult porcine ovary. Flutamide was injected into pregnant gilts between days 80 and 88 of gestation and into female piglets between days 2 and 10 posnatally. After animals reached sexual maturity, the ovaries were collected from treated and nontreated (control) pigs. Expression of Cx43 mRNA and protein was determined for preantral and antral follicles and for CLs. In addition, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) expression and progesterone concentration were determined for luteal tissues. In preantral follicles, Cx43 mRNA was down-regulated (P < 0.01) following maternal and neonatal flutamide exposure. In large antral follicles, Cx43 mRNA was up-regulated (P < 0.01) after neonatal flutamide administration. Immunofluorescence showed that Cx43 expression decreased (P < 0.001) in preantral follicles and increased (P < 0.001) in large antral follicles following flutamide exposure. In luteal tissues, Cx43 and 3β-HSD expression and progesterone concentration decreased (P < 0.01) after postnatal flutamide treatment. Overall, these results suggest the involvement of androgens in the regulation of Cx43 expression in pig ovary. Moreover, alteration of Cx43 expression by the administration of flutamide during particular prenatal and neonatal time periods may affect porcine follicle development, as well as CL formation and function.