Gene expression analysis of the pro-oestrous-stage rat uterus reveals neuroligin 2 as a novel steroid-regulated gene

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han-Seung Kang ◽  
Chae-Kwan Lee ◽  
Ju-Ran Kim ◽  
Seong-Jin Yu ◽  
Sung-Goo Kang ◽  
...  

In the present study, differential gene expression in the uteri of ovariectomised (OVX) and pro-oestrous rats (OVX v. pro-oestrus pair) was investigated using cDNA expression array analysis. Differential uterine gene expression in OVX rats and progesterone (P4)-injected OVX rats (OVX v. OVX + P4 pair) was also examined. The uterine gene expression profiles of these two sets of animals were also compared for the effects of P4 treatment. RNA samples were extracted from uterine tissues and reverse transcribed in the presence of [α32P]-dATP. Membrane sets of rat arrays were hybridised with cDNA probe sets. Northern blot analysis was used to validate the relative gene expression patterns obtained from the cDNA array. Of the 1176 cDNAs examined, 23 genes showed significant (>two-fold) changes in expression in the OVX v. pro-oestrus pair. Twenty of these genes were upregulated during pro-oestrus compared with their expression in the OVX rat uterus. In the OVX v. OVX + P4 pair, 22 genes showed significant (>two-fold) changes in gene expression. Twenty of these genes were upregulated in the OVX + P4 animals. The genes for nuclear factor I–XI, afadin, neuroligin 2, semaphorin Z, calpain 4, cyclase-associated protein homologue, thymosin β-4X and p8 were significantly upregulated in the uteri of the pro-oestrus and OVX + P4 rats of both experimental pairs compared with the OVX rat uteri. These genes appear to be under the control of P4. One of the most interesting findings of the present study is the unexpected and marked expression of the neuroligin 2 gene in the rat uterus. This gene is expressed at high levels in the central nervous system and acts as a nerve cell adhesion factor. According to Northern blot analysis, neuroligin 2 gene expression was higher during the pro-oestrus and metoestrus stages than during the oestrus and dioestrus stages of the oestrous cycle. In addition, neuroligin 2 mRNA levels were increased by both 17β-oestradiol (E2) and P4, although P4 administration upregulated gene expression to a greater extent than injection of E2. These results indicate that neuroligin 2 gene expression in the rat uterus is under the control of both E2 and P4, which are secreted periodically during the oestrous cycle.

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (19) ◽  
pp. 5502-5507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnim Weber ◽  
Kirsten Jung

ABSTRACT DNA macroarray technology was used to monitor early transcriptional alterations of Escherichia coli in response to an osmotic upshift imposed by the addition of 0.4 M NaCl. Altered mRNA levels of 152 genes were detected; 45 genes showed increased expression while the expression of the remaining 107 genes was reduced. Northern blot analysis of several selected genes differing in their relative expression values confirmed the results obtained by the array technology.


1989 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 403-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
F.-P. Chou ◽  
S. Gallant ◽  
A. C. Brownie

ABSTRACT Circulating levels of 11-deoxycorticosterone are increased during the development of adrenal-regeneration hypertension. The present studies were undertaken to examine the mechanisms involved in this increase. Plasmids containing cDNA inserts coding for cytochrome P-45011β, cytochrome P-450scc and adrenodoxin were used to determine, by Northern blot analysis, mRNA levels at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of adrenal regeneration. There was a striking decrease in mRNA transcripts for all three enzymes during the first week of regeneration when compared with intact adrenal tissue. Over the next 2 weeks the mRNA levels increased to 64% for P-450 11β, to 80% for P-450scc and to 82% for adrenodoxin. Actin mRNA levels were 70% of control levels in the first week but were back to control levels by the second week. The present findings suggest that decreased expression of steroid 11β-hydroxylase could contribute to the increased secretion of 11-deoxycorticosterone during the early stages of adrenal regeneration. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 122, 403–408


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roni M. Shtein ◽  
Susan G. Elner ◽  
Zong-Mei Bian ◽  
Victor M. Elner

Purpose. To determine time course of effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP) by cultured human corneal stromal cells.Methods. Human corneal stromal cells were harvested from donor corneal specimens, and fourth to sixth passaged cells were used. Cell cultures were stimulated with LPS for 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours. Northern blot analysis of IL-8 and MCP gene expression and ELISA for IL-8 and MCP secretion were performed. ELISA results were analyzed for statistical significance using two-tailed Student'st-test.Results. Northern blot analysis demonstrated significantly increased IL-8 and MCP gene expression after 4 and 8 hours of exposure to LPS. ELISA for secreted IL-8 and MCP demonstrated statistically significant increases (P<0.05) after corneal stromal cell stimulation with LPS.Conclusions. This paper suggests that human corneal stromal cells may participate in corneal inflammation by secreting potent leukocyte chemotactic and activating proteins in a time-dependent manner when exposed to LPS.


2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (4) ◽  
pp. L643-L649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda J. Joyce ◽  
Megan J. Wallace ◽  
Richard A. Pierce ◽  
Richard Harding ◽  
Stuart B. Hooper

Our objective was to determine the effects of sustained alterations in fetal lung expansion on pulmonary elastin synthesis. In fetal sheep, lung expansion was either decreased between 111 and 131 days' gestation (term ∼147 days) by tracheal drainage or increased for 2, 4, 7, or 10 days by tracheal obstruction, ending at 128 days' gestation. Lung tropoelastin mRNA levels were assessed by Northern blot analysis, total elastin content was measured biochemically, and staining of lung sections was used to assess the localization and form of elastic fibers. Tracheal obstruction significantly elevated pulmonary tropoelastin mRNA levels 2.5-fold at 2 days, but values were not different from controls at 4, 7, and 10 days; elastin content tended to be increased at all time points. A sustained decrease in lung expansion by tracheal drainage reduced pulmonary tropoelastin mRNA levels 2.5-fold; elastin content was also decreased compared with controls, and tissue localization was altered. Our results indicate that the degree of lung expansion in the fetus influences elastin synthesis, content, and tissue deposition.


2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Pacheco ◽  
I.N. Nishimoto ◽  
M. Mourão Neto ◽  
E.B. Mantovani ◽  
M.M. Brentani

Using Northern blot analysis we have measured the co-expression of the matrix metalloprotease MMP-9, plasminogen activator urokinase type (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) mRNAs in 81 biopsies of breast carcinomas with the objective of analyzing the impact of these factors on the overall survival probability of the patients (median follow-up time: 4 years). Individual mRNA levels of either uPA or uPAR showed parallel variations with MMP-9 mRNA, suggesting a coordinate transcription of these markers. When median values were used as cutoff points to discriminate between high and low factor expression, no association was found with patient outcome and MMP-9 or uPA mRNA distribution. However, increased uPAR mRNA levels were associated with poor prognosis (p = 0.01). The combination of MMP-9 and uPAR mRNA measurements has not enhanced prognostic information compared to information supplied by the receptor alone (p = 0.01). The combination of MMP-9 and high levels of uPA mRNA led to a significant association with poor outcome (p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis supported the notion that increased uPAR mRNA production in primary breast cancer may be a predictor of overall survival.


2000 ◽  
pp. 533-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
SI Grigorakis ◽  
E Anastasiou ◽  
K Dai ◽  
A Souvatzoglou ◽  
M Alevizaki

The proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene whose normal pituitary specific mRNA product is 1200 bases (b) is also expressed in placenta and its peptide derivatives such as ACTH and beta-endorphin may play an important role in the initiation of labor. So far, two mRNA transcripts, one small (800b) and one large (1380b) have been reported in placenta by Northern blot analysis, similar to other endocrine tissues and various extrapituitary tumors; however, it is questionable whether both of these transcripts are effectively translated to a functional protein. We examined by Northern blot analysis the size and the differential expression of placental POMC gene transcripts in pregnant women with different modes of delivery. Placental tissues were collected from two groups of pregnant women, six with vaginal delivery (VD) and five with cesarean section (CS). In both groups of placentae three POMC gene transcripts were detected of 800, 1200 and 1380 bases; the 1200b pituitary specific species often predominated and was always present. The 800b transcript was also always present, while the large transcript (1380b) was expressed in 3/6 VD and 2/5 CS placental tissues. No differences in the relative levels of any of these mRNA species showing effect of the mode of delivery were observed. We conclude that POMC gene transcription in placental tissue at term gives rise to three mRNA transcripts, thus resembling extrapituitary tumors. The reported changes in the levels of the derivative peptides according to the mode of delivery do not reflect changes in POMC mRNA levels and could be attributed to a post-translational effect.


1989 ◽  
Vol 108 (5) ◽  
pp. 1823-1832 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Horovitz ◽  
D Knaack ◽  
T R Podleski ◽  
M M Salpeter

Ascorbic acid is the major factor in brain extract responsible for increasing the average acetylcholine receptor (AChR) site density on the cloned muscle cell line L5. In the present study, we show that this effect of ascorbic acid requires mRNA synthesis, and that the mRNA level for the AChR alpha-subunit is increased to about the same level as are the surface receptors. We have found no increase in the mRNA levels of the beta-, gamma-, and delta-subunits, or in the mRNAs of other muscle-specific proteins, such as that of light chain myosin 2, alpha-actin, and creatine kinase. By in situ hybridization, we further show that the increase in alpha-mRNA in response to ascorbic acid is exclusively in myotubes and is located near clusters of nuclei. mRNA levels for the alpha-subunit in mononucleated cells are very low and do not significantly increase in response to ascorbic acid. The mononucleated cells are thus excluded as a possible source for the increase in alpha-subunit mRNA detected by Northern blot analysis. Our results indicate that there is a very specific action of ascorbic acid on the regulation of AChR alpha-mRNA in the L5 muscle cells, and that the expression of surface receptors in these cells is limited by the amount of AChR alpha-subunit mRNA.


1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Austin ◽  
M Oka ◽  
K A Nandha ◽  
S Legon ◽  
N Khandan-Nia ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT This study has quantified, for the first time, the relative levels of neuromedin U (NmU) mRNA in the rat gastrointestinal tract using Northern blot analysis. NmU message was detected in all regions of the gastrointestinal tract from the oesophagus to the rectum. The greatest levels were found in the duodenum and jejunum, the principal sites for absorption, which were 2·5- and 3-fold respectively above ileal levels. Quantification of NmU mRNA and peptide contents in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum during postnatal development of the rat showed message and peptide levels to be greater in the maturing rat than in neonates. Message levels in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum showed 14-, 7- and 4-fold increases respectively between 1 and 56 days after birth, whilst the corresponding peptide levels in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum showed 33-, 14- and 25-fold increases respectively. Food deprivation caused a small, but significant, decrease in message levels in the jejunum and colon, but there was no change in the duodenum or ileum. This shows that the presence of food has little effect on NmU mRNA levels in the gut.


1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ard Jonker ◽  
Piet A. J. de Boer ◽  
Maurice J. B. van den Hoff ◽  
Wouter H. Lamers ◽  
Antoon F. M. Moorman

In situ hybridization analysis of tissue mRNA concentrations remains to be accepted as a quantitative technique, even though exposure of tissue sections to photographic emulsion is equivalent to Northern blot analysis. Because of the biological importance of in situ quantification of RNA sequences within a morphological context, we evaluated the quantitative aspects of this technique. In calibrated microscopic samples, autoradiographic signal (density of silver grains) was proportionate to the radioactivity present, to the exposure time, and to time of development of the photographic emulsion. Similar results were obtained with tissue sections, showing that all steps of the in situ hybridization protocol, before and including the detection of the signal, can be reproducibly performed. Furthermore, the integrated density of silver grains produced in liver and intestinal sections by the in situ hybridization procedure using 35S-labeled riboprobes is directly proportionate to the signal obtained by quantitative Northern blot analysis. The significance of this finding is that in situ quantification of RNA can be realized with high sensitivity and with the additional advantage of the possibility of localizing mRNA within the cells of interest. Application of this procedure on fetal and adult intestinal tissue showed that the carbamoylphosphate synthetase (CPS)-expressing epithelial cells of both tissues accumulated CPS mRNA to the same level but that whole-organ CPS mRNA levels decreased four- to fivefold in the same period, owing to a comparable decrease in the number of CPS-expressing cells in total intestinal tissue. (J Histochem Cytochem 45:413–423, 1997)


1997 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Hiraoka ◽  
H Ando ◽  
M Ban ◽  
H Ueda ◽  
A Urano

ABSTRACT We analyzed changes in the hypothalamic levels of vasotocin (VT) and isotocin (IT) mRNA in chum salmon during spawning migration to the Ishikari river. The fish were caught at Atsuta, a fisherman's village facing the Ishikari bay, and at Chitose, an upstream branch of the Ishikari river. The former are referred to as sea water (SW) fish, and the latter as freshwater (FW) fish. The levels of VT and IT mRNA in the forebrains were determined by quantitative Northern blot analysis using single-stranded DNA with the same mRNA sequences as the standards. Levels of VT mRNA were higher in the FW males than the FW females, although no such difference was seen in the SW fish. Changes in the levels of VT mRNA were markedly different in males and females. In the males, no significant differences were seen in the levels of VT-I and VT-II mRNA between the SW and FW fish. However, in the females, the levels of VT mRNA in the FW fish were significantly lower than those in the SW fish. Changes in the levels of IT-I and IT-II mRNA were essentially similar in the males and females. These results suggest that the control of VT gene expression is different in males and females during spawning migration, although the neuroendocrine mechanism is not known.


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