• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제32권3호
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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.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.10-14
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• 2012

The ovarian follicles develop initially from primordial follicles. The majority of ovarian primordial follicles are maintained quiescently as a reserve for the reproductive life span. Only a few of them are activated and develop to an advanced follicular stage. The maintenance of dormancy and activation of primordial follicles are controlled by coordinated actions of a suppressor/activator with close communications with somatic cells and intra-oocyte signaling pathways. Many growth factors and signaling pathways have been identified and the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily plays important roles in early folliculogenesis. However, the mechanism of maintaining the dormancy and survival of primordial follicles has remained unknown for decades. Recently, since the first finding that all primordial follicles are activated prematurely in mice deficient forkhead box O3a, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) signaling pathway was reported to be important in the regulation of dormancy and initial follicular activation. With these informations on early folliculogenesis, clinical application can be expected such as in vitro maturation of immature oocytes or in vitro activation of follicles by PTEN inhibitor in cryopreserved ovarian cortical tissues for fertility preservation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.269-277
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• 2005

Objectives: Previously, we sought to compile a list of genes expressed during early folliculogenesis by using cDNA microarray to investigate follicular gene expression and changes during primordialprimary follicle transition and development of secondary follicles (Yoon et al., 2005). Among those genes, a group of genes related to the cell size growth was characterized during the ovarian development in the present study. Methods: We determined ovarian expression pattern of six genes related to the cell size growth (cyr61, emp1, fhl1, socs2, wig1 and wisp1) and extended into CCN family (${\underline{c}}onnective$ tissue growth factor/${\underline{c}}ysteine$-rich 61/${\underline{n}}ephroblastoma$-overexpressed), ctgf, nov, wisp2, wisp3, including cyr61 and wisp1 genes. Expression of mRNA and protein according to the ovarian developmental stage was evaluated by in situ hybridization, and/or semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: Among 6 genes related to the cell size growth, cyr61 and wisp1 mRNA was detected only in oocytes in the postnatal day5 mouse ovaries. cyr61 mRNA expression was limited to the nucleolus of oocytes, while wisp1 was expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleolus of oocytes, except nucleus. cyr61 mRNA expression, however, was found in granulosa cells from secondary follicles. The rest 4 genes in the cell size growth group were detected in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells. Cyr61 and Wisp1 proteins were expressed in the oocyte cytoplasm from primordial follicle stage. Especially, Cyr61 protein was detected in pre-granulosa cells, Wisp1 protein was not. By using RT-PCR, we evaluated and decided that Cyr61 protein is produced by their own mRNA in pre-granulosa cells that was not detected by in situ hybridization. cyr61 and wisp1 genes are happen to be the CCN family members. The other members of CCN family were also studied, but their expression was detected in oocytes, granulose and theca cells. Conclusions: We firstly characterized the ovarian expression of genes related to the cell size growth and CCN family according to the early folliculogenesis. Cyr61 protein expression in the pre-granulosa cells is profound in meaning. Further functional analysis for cyr61 in early folliculogenesis is under investigation.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한생식의학회 2007년도 제52차 춘계학술대회 초록집
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• pp.11-13
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• 2007

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.379-384
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• 2012

Lhx8 (LIM homeobox 8) gene encodes a LIM homeodomain transcriptional regulator that is preferentially expressed in germ cells and critical for mammalian folliculogenesis. However, Lhx8 DNA binding sequences are not characterized yet. We aimed to identify and characterize a cis-acting sequence of germ-cell specific transcriptional factor, Lhx8. To identify Lhx8 DNA binding element, Cyclic Amplification of Sequence Target (CAST) Analysis was performed. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) was processed for the binding specificity of Lhx8. Luciferase assay was for the transcriptional activity of Lhx8 through identified DNA binding site. We identified a putative cis-acting sequence, TGATTG as Lhx8 DNA binding element (LBE). In addition, Lhx8 binds to the LBE with high affinity and augments transcriptional activity of luciferase reporter driven by artificial promoter containing the Lhx8 binding element. These findings indicate that Lhx8 directly regulates the transcription of genes containing Lhx8 binding element in oocytes during early folliculogenesis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.125-132
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• 2006

연구 목적: 본 연구진은 초기 난포 발달 과정의 각 발달 단계별 난포를 분리하여 cDNA microarray를 이용한 유전자 발현 목록을 보유하고 있다. 본 연구는 이들 유전자 중에서 전사인자들의 목록에 주목하여 이들의 하위표적유전자를 생명정보학적 기법을 이용해 동정함으로써 이 후 초기난포발달의 조절 기전 연구를 위한 중요한 전사인자를 결정하고자 실시하였다. 재료 및 방법: 26개의 전사인자들에 대해서 Gene Ontology, MGI, 그리고 Entrez Gene 등의 유전자 데이터베이스 검색을 통해 전사인자들을 구성하는 도메인을 확인하였고, 전사인자 데이터베이스 ($TRANSFAC^{(R)}$ 6.0)와 진핵세포 프로모터 데이터베이스 검색을 실시하여, 전사인자의 cis-acting 및 trans-acting 하위표적유전자를 분석하였다. 결과: 26개 전사인자들에 대해서 DNA 결합 도메인과 단백질 상호작용 도메인을 확인하였다. 또 전사인자 데이터베이스와 프로모터 데이터베이스 검색으로부터 하위표적유전자에 대한 정보를 얻었다. 위와 같은 생명정보학적 분석 결과로부터 흥미로운 하위표적유전자를 갖는 3개의 전사인자로 목표를 압축할 수 있었다. 그 중에서 HNF4는 MPF 억제 조절자로 알려져 있는 Wee1 단백질 인산화 효소의 유사 유전자 프로모터 부위에 결합하는 전사인자이며, TBX2는 cdk 억제자 유전자의 발현을 억제하는 전사인자로 알려져 있어, 초기 난포발달 과정의 MPF 기능조절에 매우 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 사료된다. 결론: 본 연구는 생명정보학적 분석을 통하여 전사인자의 하위표적인자를 알아내고, 이를 이용하여 26개 전사인자 중에서 다음 연구를 위한 목표를 결정하는 접근방법을 제시했다는데 의미가 있다고 사료된다. 실제로 이렇게 결정된 전사인자들이 초기난포발달을 조절하는 분자생물학적 기전에 어떻게 관여하는지를 연구하기 위해서는 EMSA 등과 같은 실험적 증명을 통한 확인과 보충 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.135-140
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• 1998

Protease nexin-1 (PN-1)은 활성화 자리에 serine기를 갖는 단백질 분해 효소 즉, 트롬빈, 트립신, 플라스미노겐 활성화 효소 등의 작용을 억제한다. 본 연구에서는 흰쥐의 Sprague-Dawley계통을 이용하여 조직별 mRNA발현여부 및 정도를 조사하였다. PN-1의 발현이 나타난 조직은 뇌 (전뇌, 후뇌), 심장, 간, 폐, 난소, 난관 등이다. 이들 중 유전자 발현이 가장 높은 조직은 암컷의 전뇌(forebrain) 였다. 특히, 생식기관들 중에서는 암컷의 난소와 난관에서만 발현이 관찰되는 등 PN-1 유전자는 성별에 따라 서로 다르게 발현됨이 확인되었다 이러한 결과들로 미루어 PN-1은 여포 형성과정과 초기배 형성과정 등의 생식 및 발생작용과 관련이 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.9-12
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• 2016

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are oocyte-specific growth factors that regulate many critical processes involved in early folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation. In this study, effects of GDF9 and BMP15 treatment during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes upon development after parthenogenetic activation were investigated. Neither GDF, BMP15 alone nor in combination affects the number and viability of cumulus cells or the rates of oocyte maturation and blastocyst development. However, the treatment of GDF9 on porcine oocytes increased the number of trophectodermal (TE) cells of blastocysts derived from activated oocytes (P<0.05). The treatment of BMP15 increased the cell numbers of both inner cell mass (ICM) and TE cells (P<0.05). The treatment with the combination of GDF9 and BMP15 further increased the numbers of ICM and TE cells, compared with GDF9 or BMP15 treatment alone (P<0.05). In conclusion, the treatment of GDF9 or BMP15 (or both) enhanced the quality of blastocysts via the increased number of ICM and/or TE cells.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.95-100
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• 1999

Growth/differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9)은 transforming growth factor $\beta$ (TGF-$\beta$) superfamily의 member로서 난소의 난자에서만 특이적으로 발현되며 정상적인 난포발달에 있어 필수적인 성숙인자로 최근에 알려졌다. 본 연구는 RT-PCR을 통해 생쥐의 원시난포에서의 GDF-9 mRNA의 발현 여부와 함께 난포의 발달단계에 따른 상대적인 발현량을 분석하고자 실시하였다. 본 실험에는 ICR 생쥐를 사용하여 질전 (vaginal plug)이 확인된 날을 1일로 하여 임신 19일의 태아와 태어난 날을 1일로 하여 생후 1일, 10일, 21일, 28일된 생쥐 난소를 실험에 사용하였다. 각 발달단계의 난소조직으로부터 total RNA를 추출하여 GDF-9 유전자 발현 여부를 확인하였으며 이들을 $\beta$-actin에 대해 상대적인 정량분석을 하였다. GDF-9 유전자 발현은 아직은 성장을 시작하지 않은 임신 19일의 태아의 난소, 대부분이 원시난포로 이루어진 태어난 날의 생쥐 난소에서도 확인되었으며, 성장이 왕성하게 진행되고 있는 난포 즉, antrum 형성 이전의 growing follicles이 주를 이루는 생후 10일째의 난소에서 가장 높은 GDF-9 유전자 발현이 관찰되었다. 나머지 단계의 난소에서는 거의 비슷한 정도로 발현함을 관찰할 수 있었다. 본 연구의 결과는 생쥐의 원시난포에도 GDF-9 transcript가 존재한다는 것을 확실하게 증명하였으며, GDF-9이 생쥐의 초기 난포발달에 중요한 역할을 할 것이라는 가능성을 시사한다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

Despite of the importance of the primordial follicle (PMF) recruitment, factors and mechanisms for process are poorly understood. To evaluate expression and role of the follicular transition from PMF to PMF/primary follicles (PMIF) in the present study, we evaluated expression of lats1, lats2, cyclin A1, and cyclin A2 mRNA and protein, and elucidated and role of lats1-cyclin A in the follicular transition from PMF to PRIF. To analysis of differential expression in PMF and PMIF, each stage follicles were collected by day1 and day5 of immuno-compromised rats (ICR) and analyzed by real-time PCR for the genes. For localization of mRNAs and proteins of the genes, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were performed. We confirmed that the lats1, lats2, cyclin A1, and cyclin A2 mRNA were more expressed in PMF than PMIF. Localization of the four genes expression were observed in nuclei of oocytes from the arrested primordial, and in the surrounding granulosa cells of the growing follicles. The mRNA expressions were gradually decreased with follicular development. From immunohistochemistry studies, Cyclin A1 protein expression were observed in oocyte cytoplasmas of early stage follicles, while observed in granulose cells and oocyte nucleoli during growing follicles. This study suggested that the presence of lats gene family might perform negatively regulation of cell proliferation by modulation of the CDC2/Cyclin A complex activity. lats-cyclin A genes in oocytes of the early stage follicles might play a role in the meiotic cell cycle arrest of the primary oocytes at the primordial follicle stage as well as the follicular growth.