• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.237-241
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• 2012

Embryonic genome activation (EGA) is the first major transition that occurs after fertilization, and entails a dramatic reprogramming of gene expression that is essential for continued development. Although it has been suggested that EGA in porcine embryos starts at the four-cell stage, recent evidence indicates that EGA may commence even earlier; however, the molecular details of EGA remain incompletely understood. The RNA polymerase II of eukaryotes transcribes mRNAs and most small nuclear RNAs. The largest subunit of RNA polymerase II can become phosphorylated in the C-terminal domain. The unphosphorylated form of the RNA polymerase II largest subunit C-terminal domain (IIa) plays a role in initiation of transcription, and the phosphorylated form (IIo) is required for transcriptional elongation and mRNA splicing. In the present study, we explored the nuclear translocation, nuclear localization, and phosphorylation dynamics of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain in immature pig oocytes, mature oocytes, two-, four-, and eight-cell embryos, and the morula and blastocyst. To this end, we used antibodies specific for the IIa and IIo forms of RNA polymerase II to stain the proteins. Unphosphorylated RNA polymerase II stained strongly in the nuclei of germinal vesicle oocytes, whereas the phosphorylated form of the enzyme was confined to the chromatin of prophase I oocytes. After fertilization, both unphosphorylated and phosphorylated RNA polymerase II began to accumulate in the nuclei of early stage one-cell embryos, and this pattern was maintained through to the blastocyst stage. The results suggest that both porcine oocytes and early embryos are transcriptionally competent, and that transcription of embryonic genes during the first three cell cycles parallels expression of phosphorylated RNA polymerase II.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.421-427
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• 2012

The production of therapeutic proteins from transgenic animals is one of the most important successes of animal biotechnology. Milk is presently the most mature system for production of therapeutic proteins from a transgenic animal. Specifically, ${\beta}$-casein is a major component of cow, goat and sheep milk, and its promoter has been used to regulate the expression of transgenic genes in the mammary gland of transgenic animals. Here, we cloned the porcine ${\beta}$-casein gene and analyzed the transcriptional activity of the promoter and intron 1 region of the porcine ${\beta}$-casein gene. Sequence inspection of the 5'-flanking region revealed potential DNA elements including SRY, CdxA, AML-a, GATA-3, GATA-1 and C/EBP ${\beta}$. In addition, the first intron of the porcine ${\beta}$-casein gene contained the transcriptional enhancers Oct-1, SRY, YY1, C/EBP ${\beta}$, and AP-1, as well as the retroviral TATA box. We estimated the transcriptional activity for the 5'-proximal region with or without intron 1 of the porcine ${\beta}$-casein gene in HC11 cells stimulated with lactogenic hormones. High transcriptional activity was obtained for the 5'-proximal region with intron 1 of the porcine ${\beta}$-casein gene. The ${\beta}$-casein gene containing the mutant TATA box (CATAAAA) was also cloned from another individual pig. Promoter activity of the luciferase vector containing the mutant TATA box was weaker than the same vector containing the normal TATA box. Taken together, these findings suggest that the transcription of porcine ${\beta}$-casein gene is regulated by lactogenic hormone via intron 1 and promoter containing a mutant TATA box (CATAAAA) has poor porcine ${\beta}$-casein gene activity.

• Macromolecular Research
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.322-324
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• 2004

Poly(1-dodecyl-2,5-pyrrylene vinylene) (PDPV) has an extended 1t-conjugated structure and exhibits characteristic spectroscopic features. The PDPV we prepared has an absorption maximum at 510nm and its long absorption tail at ca. 750nm in methylene chloride is due to the long 1t-conjugated system connected to vinyl group. The large red-shift of emission was 625nm upon excitation at 480nm, which suggests the existence of a low emissive state. The emission of PDPV in less-polar solvents decreased markedly relative to that in the more-polar solvents; this observation was ascribed possibly to quenching by a strong vibrational mode of the dodecyl groups of PDPV in less-polar solvents. Furthermore, the emission from the high-energy side had a single decay component (0.1㎱, 49.96%), while that from the low-energy side had two components (0.6㎱, 27.1 %; 2.7㎱, 22.87%). We characterized the redox properties of PDPV by cyclic voltammetry. Every redox peak showed irreversible behavior; the oxidation peaks appeared at 1.7,0.8, and 0.6V and the reduction peak at -0.5V.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.227-233
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• 2017

Pig has been known to be one of the most feasible animals as a bioreactor to produce pharmaceuticals in milk and as a mediator in xenotransplantation research. Previously, we generated transgenic pigs for both purposes, which were expressing Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, and hEPO in milk, along with expression of MCP at GalT gene locus ($GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$) as well as expressing MCP at GalT gene loci with CD73 expression ($GalT^{-MCP/+}/CD73$). In this study, we performed comparative analyses of sperm parameters between wild type male (WT) pig and those transgenic males to examine the effects of transgenes integrated into the pigs on motility, morphology, viability, and acrosome integrity of the spermatozoa. Our results showed that the rates of actively motile spermatozoa of WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, $GalT^{-MCP/+}/CD73$, and $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$ pigs were 85.0%, 83.3%, 82.5%, 83.3%, 82.5%, 77.5%, and 78.7%, respectively. Whereas, the rates of morphologically normal spermatozoa of WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, $GalT^{-MCP/+}/CD73$, and $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$ pigs were 90.0%, 80.0%, 80.0%, 83.3%, 85.0%, 91.8%, and 80.8%, respectively. In addition, the viability in spermatozoa of WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, $GalT^{-MCP/+}/CD73$, and $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$ pigs were 93.9%, 82.4%, 89.9%, 83.9%, 87.4%, 92.8%, and 83.6%, respectively. The rates of spermatozoa with normal acrosome integrity in WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, $GalT^{-MCP/+}/CD73$, and $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$ pigs were 98.1%, 98.6%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.1%, 99.5%, and 95.1%, respectively. There were no significant differences in motility, morphology, viability, and acrosome integrity of the spermatozoa among WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, and hEPO, $GalT^{-MCP/+}/CD73$, and $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$ pigs. These mean that neither random integration nor targeted integration of the transgene into chromosome of pig effect on characteristics of spermatozoa. Ultimately, the transgenic male pigs subjected in this study could apply to propagate their progenies for production of human therapeutic proteins and advancing the xenotransplantation research.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.615-621
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• 2007

AMP-activated protein kinase alpha 2 (PRKAA2) plays a key role in regulation of fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism. This study investigated the porcine PRKAA2 gene as a positional candidate for intramuscular fat and backfat thickness traits in pig chromosome 6. A partial fragment of the porcine PRKAA2 gene, amplified by PCR, contained a putative intron 3 including a part of exon 3 and 4, comparable with that of human PRKAA2 gene. Within the fragment, several single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified using multiple sequence alignments. Of these, TaqI restriction enzyme polymorphism was used for genotyping various pig breeds including Korean reference family. Using linkage and physical mapping, the porcine PRKAA2 gene was mapped in the region between microsatellite markers SW1881 and SW1680 on chromosome 6. Allele frequencies were quite different among pig breeds. The full length cDNA of the porcine PRKAA2 (2,145 bp) obtained by RACE containing 1,656 bp open reading frame of deduced 552 amino acids, had sequence identities with PRKAA2 of human (98.2%), rat (97.8%), and mouse (97.5%). These results suggested that the porcine PRKAA2 is a positional candidate gene for fat deposition trait at near telomeric region of the long arm of SSC 6.

• 약학회지
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.409-414
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• 2006

Although mammalian sperms are cryopreserved for in vitro fertilization a process of cryopreservation decreases the fertility. Acrosome reaction requires depolarization-induced Ca$^{2+}$ influx and Ca$^{2+}$ releases from the Ca$^{2+}$ stores. To examine whether the cellular Ca$^{2+}$ mobilization is altered by a sperm cryopreservation we compared cytosolic Ca$^{2+}$ signals between fresh and cryopreserved pig sperms using confocal Ca$^{2+}$ imaging. The magnitudes of depolarization induced Ca$^{2+}$ increases were significantly smaller in cryopreserved sperms. Exposures to 10 mM caffeine or 5 ${\mu}$M thapsigargin elicited less Ca$^{2+}$ increases in the cryopreserved sperms compared to fresh sperms. In addition, progesterone-trig-gered Ca$^{2+}$ rises, that are thought to enhance acrosome reaction, were completely abolished in the cryopreserved sperms. These results suggest that storage and(/or) release of Ca$^{2+}$ from the intracellular Ca$^{2+}$ stores in pig sperms are significantly impaired by the process of cryopreservation.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.389-397
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• 2018

당 단백질에 붙어 있는 당사슬 구조는 형질전환 돼지 유즙으로 분비되는 의약용 단백질의 생물학적 활성, 안정성 그리고 안전성에 영향을 줄 수 있다. 형질전환 동물을 이용한 치료용 당 단백질 생산은 유선 세포에서 이루어지는 당사슬 부가능력에 의해 제한되며, 균일한 당사슬 형태를 가지는 당 단백질 생산은 도전 과제로 남아있다. ${\beta}$-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminylatransferase1 (B3GNT1) 유전자는 N-아세틸글루코사민에 갈락토오스 잔기를 부착시키는 단백질 당화기작에 중요한 효소이지만, 돼지 당 전이효소에 대한 정보는 매우 제한적이다. 따라서, 돼지 B3GNT1 (pB3GNT1) 유전자를 클로닝하고 N-아세틸글루코사민에 갈락토오스 잔기를 부착시키는 기능적 특성을 조사하였다. 몇가지 다른 프라이머를 사용하여 전체 전사영역(ORF)을 함유하는 부분적인 pB3GNT1 mRNA 염기서열을 간 조직으로부터 분리하였다. 클로닝 된 pB3GNT1의 ORF는 1,248개의 뉴클레오티드를 가지며, 415개 아미노산 잔기로 구성되어 있었다. pB3GNT1 유전자의 장기별 발현특성은 성돈 및 자돈의 여러 기관에서 분석하였다. pB3GNT1 mRNA 발현 수준은 심장, 소장 보다는 근육에서 높았지만 폐에서는 낮았다. pB3GNT1의 기능적 특성 분석을 위해 돼지 신장 세포주(PK-15)에서 pB3GNT1 유전자의 안정적인 발현을 확립하였다. 그 결과, PK-15 세포에서 pB3GNT1 발현에 의한 당화 패턴은 총 시알산 증가에는 영향을 미치지 않지만, poly-N-아세틸글루코사민은 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구는 생물반응기로 형질전환 돼지를 이용할 때 희망하는 당사슬을 부가하여 치료 가능성을 높이며 개선된 활성을 나타내는 당단백질 생산에 도움이 될 것이다.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.117-121
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• 2008

Our previous study showed that transgenic (TG) pigs harboring human EPO (hEPO) gene have been shown to have reproductive disorders, including low pregnancy rates, irregular estrus cycle and low little size. To investigate these reasons, we assessed estrus behavior (standing response) and plasma $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level, which partly reflect reproductive function, during the estrus cycles after synchronization and superovulation by hormone treatments. Then, we analysed blood composition and expression of hEPO gene in TG pigs. Pigs were injected with PG600. After 10 days, pigs were fed with Regumate porcine for 6 days. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein. Analysis of blood composition and $E_2$ level were measured by Hemavet 950 and $E_2$ ELISA kit, respectively. And, the expression of hEPO gene in reproductive organs was quantitated by real-time RT-PCR. The percentage of estrus behavior in TG was significantly decreased. Hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) number were significantly higher in TG than wild type (WT). On the other hand, high expression of hEPO gene in TG was observed in the mammary gland as well as in the uterus. Moreover, plasma $E_2$ level was significantly higher in TG than WT. These results suggest that nonspecific expression of hEPO gene in the other organs of TG may affect blood composition and plasma $E_2$ level, thereby causing reproductive disorders.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.164-167
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate in vitro fertilization and development of in vitro matured pig oocytes inseminated with the Duroc boar sperm by different sperm washing media after thawing of the 5 ml frozen straws. Immature follicular oocytes (30-40) were transferred into each well of a Nunc 4-well multidish containing $500{\mu}l$ mTCM199 maturation medium. The sperm rich portion of ejaculates was collected into a 250 ml insulated vacuum bottle and gradually cooled 22 to $24^{\circ}C$ over a 2 h period. Semen was centrifuged at 800 g for 10 min and the seminal plasma discarded. Sperm were esuspended in a lactose-egg yolk and N-acetyl-Dglucosamine (LEN) diluent to contain $1{\times}10^{9}$ sperm/ml and cooled to $5^{\circ}C$ over a 2 h period. Immediately before freezing, semen was rediluted with an equal volume of LEN+4% glycerol and packed into 5 ml straws. After thawing of the 5 ml straw, the 5 ml semen was diluted with 20 ml Beltsville thawing solution (BTS) at room temperature. Oocytes were inseminated with untreated (unwashed and nonpreincubated) or treated sperm (washed two times in BTS, mTLP-PVA and mTBM media, respectively and nonpreincubated) with $2{\times}10^{7}$ sperm concentration. Oocytes were coincubated for 6 h in $500{\mu}l$ mTBM fertilization. At 6 h after IVF, oocytes were transferred into $500{\mu}l$ NCSU-23 culture medium for further culture of 6 h. Sperm penetration, polyspermy and male pronuclear formation of oocytes at 12 h after IVF and developmental ability of oocytes at 48 h after IVF were evaluated. Sperm penetration rate, male pronuclear formation and rate of cleaved embryos were higher in the BTS, mTLP-PVA and mTBM treatments than the unwashed treatment (p<0.05). The rate of blastocysts from the cleaved oocytes (2-4 cell stage) were higher in the mTLP-PVA treatment than in the unwashed, BTS and mTBM treatments. In conclusion, we recommend the washing of frozen-thawed sperm with mTLP-PVA medium before in vitro fertilization of oocytes in mTBM medium.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.153-159
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• 2010

The 34 potently pig pheromonal odorants (1-32, 5755 & 7113) through structure-based virtual screening and ligand-based virtual screening method were selected and their ADMET and pharmacokinetics characters were evaluated and discussed quantitatively. The pheromonal odorants were projected on the following pre-calculated models, Caco-2 cell permeability, blood-brain barrier permeation, hERG inhibition and volume-distribution. From the results of in silico study, it is found that an optimal compound (31) either penetrating or have a little ($P_{caco2}$=-8.143) for Caco-2 cell permeability, moderate penetrating ability ($P_{BBB}$=0.082) for blood-brain barrier permeation, the low QT prolongation ($P_{hERG}$=1.137) for the hERG $K^+$ channel inhibition, and low distribution into tissues ($P_{VD}$=-5.468) for volume-distribution. Therefore, it is predicted that the compound (31) a topical application may be preferable from these based foundings.