Nuclear transplantation of male primordial germ cells in the mouse

Development ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 407-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Tsunoda ◽  
T. Tokunaga ◽  
H. Imai ◽  
T. Uchida
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Nuclear Transplantation ◽  
Embryonic Genome ◽  
Donor Nucleus ◽  
Implantation Sites ◽  
Genome Activation

We examined the developmental ability of enucleated eggs receiving embryonic nuclei and male primordial germ cells (PGCs) in the mouse. Reconstituted eggs developed into the blastocyst stage only when an earlier 2-cell nucleus was transplanted (36%) but very rarely if the donor nucleus was derived from a later 2-cell, 8-cell, or inner cell mass of a blastocyst (0–3%). 54–100%, 11–67%, 6–43% and 6–20% of enucleated eggs receiving male PGCs developed to 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell and blastocyst stage, respectively, in culture. The overall success rate when taking into account the total number of attempts at introducing germ cells was actually 0–6%. Live fetuses were not obtained after transfer of reconstituted eggs to recipients, although implantation sites were observed. The developmental ability of reconstituted eggs in relation to embryonic genome activation and genomic imprinting is discussed.

scholarly journals The absence of a Ca2+ signal during mouse egg activation can affect parthenogenetic preimplantation development, gene expression patterns, and blastocyst quality

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
N T Rogers ◽  
G Halet ◽  
Y Piao ◽  
J Carroll ◽  
M S H Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Distinct Pattern ◽  
Egg Activation ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Embryonic Genome ◽  
Genome Activation

A series of Ca2+ oscillations during mammalian fertilization is necessary and sufficient to stimulate meiotic resumption and pronuclear formation. It is not known how effectively development continues in the absence of the initial Ca2+ signal. We have triggered parthenogenetic egg activation with cycloheximide that causes no Ca2+ increase, with ethanol that causes a single large Ca2+ increase, or with Sr2+ that causes Ca2+ oscillations. Eggs were co-treated with cytochalasin D to make them diploid and they formed pronuclei and two-cell embryos at high rates with each activation treatment. However, far fewer of the embryos that were activated by cycloheximide reached the blastocyst stagecompared tothose activated by Sr2+ orethanol. Any cycloheximide-activated embryos that reached the blastocyst stage had a smaller inner cell mass number and a greater rate of apoptosis than Sr2+-activated embryos. The poor development of cycloheximide-activated embryos was due to the lack of Ca2+ increase because they developed to blastocyst stages at high rates when co-treated with Sr2+ or ethanol. Embryos activated by either Sr2+ or cycloheximide showed similar signs of initial embryonic genome activation (EGA) when measured using a reporter gene. However, microarray analysis of gene expression at the eight-cell stage showed that activation by Sr2+ leads to a distinct pattern of gene expression from that seen with embryos activated by cycloheximide. These data suggest that activation of mouse eggs in the absence of a Ca2+ signal does not affect initial parthenogenetic events, but can influence later gene expression and development.

scholarly journals Two alkaline phosphatase genes are expressed during early development in the mouse embryo

Development ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 555-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.C. Hahnel ◽  
D.A. Rappolee ◽  
J.L. Millan ◽  
T. Manes ◽  
C.A. Ziomek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Development ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity is stage specific in mouse embryos and may be associated with compaction and separation of trophectoderm from inner cell mass in preimplantation development. We previously sequenced a cDNA and two mouse AP genes that could contribute to the AP activity in embryos. Oligonucleotide primers were constructed from the three sequences and used in the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique to establish that two of the three AP isozymes are transcribed during preimplantation development. The predominant transcript (E-AP) is from a gene highly homologous to the human tissue-specific APs, but different from the mouse intestinal AP. Tissue non-specific (TN) AP also is transcribed, but there is approximately 10 times less TN-AP than E-AP transcript. The TN-AP isozyme is the predominant transcript of 7 to 14 day embryos and primordial germ cells. A switch in predominance from E-AP to TN-AP must occur during early postimplantation development. This study establishes a framework for experiments to determine the functions of the two isozymes during preimplantation development.

Effect of the oxidative phosphorylation uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol on hypoxia-inducible factor-regulated gene expression in bovine blastocysts

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 665 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Harvey ◽  
K. L. Kind ◽  
J. G. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Oxidative Phosphorylation ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Vegf Mrna ◽  
Embryonic Genome ◽  
Regulated Gene Expression

In cattle embryos, development to the blastocyst stage is improved in the presence of 10 μm 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, coincident with an increase in glycolytic activity following embryonic genome activation. The present study examined redox-sensitive gene expression and embryo development in response to the addition of DNP post-compaction. 2,4-Dinitrophenol increased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and 2α (HIF1α, HIF2α) mRNA. Although HIF1α protein remained undetectable in bovine blastocysts, HIF2α protein was localised within the nucleus of trophectoderm and inner cell mass (ICM) cells of blastocysts cultured in the presence or absence of DNP, with a slight increase in staining evident within the ICM in blastocysts cultured in the presence of DNP. However, the expression of GLUT1 and VEGF mRNA, genes known to be regulated by HIFs, was unaffected by the addition of DNP to the culture. Although the development of Grade 1 and 2 blastocysts was unaltered by the addition of DNP post compaction in the present study, a significant increase in the proportion of ICM cells was observed. Results indicate that 10 μm DNP improves the quality of bovine embryos, coincident with increased HIF2α protein localisation within ICM cells and increased HIFα mRNA levels. Therefore, the results demonstrate redox-regulated expression of HIF2.

scholarly journals SMCHD1 terminates the first embryonic genome activation event in mouse two-cell embryos and contributes to a transcriptionally repressive state

2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (4) ◽  
pp. C655-C664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan L. Ruebel ◽  
Kailey A. Vincent ◽  
Peter Z. Schall ◽  
Kai Wang ◽  
Keith E. Latham
Keyword(s):  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Embryonic Genome Activation ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Embryonic Genome ◽  
Maternal Effect Gene ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
Genome Activation

Embryonic genome activation (EGA) in mammals begins with transient expression of a large group of genes (EGA1). Importantly, entry into and exit from the 2C/EGA state is essential for viability. Dux family member genes play an integral role in EGA1 by activating other EGA marker genes such as Zscan4 family members. We previously reported that structural maintenance of chromosomes flexible hinge domain-containing protein 1 ( Smchd1) is expressed at the mRNA and protein levels in mouse oocytes and early embryos and that elimination of Smchd1 expression inhibits inner cell mass formation, blastocyst formation and hatching, and term development. We extend these observations here by showing that siRNA knockdown of Smchd1 in zygotes results in overexpression of Dux and Zscan4 in two-cell embryos, with continued overexpression of Dux at least through the eight-cell stage as well as prolonged expression of Zscan4. These results are consistent with a role for SMCHD1 in promoting exit from the EGA1 state and establishing SMCHD1 as a maternal effect gene and the first chromatin regulatory factor identified with this role. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis reveals that SMCHD1 also contributes to the creation of a transcriptionally repressive state to allow correct gene regulation.

scholarly journals Revealing the dynamics of gene expression during embryonic genome activation and first differentiation in the rabbit embryo with a dedicated array screening

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Léandri ◽  
C. Archilla ◽  
L. C. Bui ◽  
N. Peynot ◽  
Z. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Gene Expression Pattern ◽  
Cdna Array ◽  
Epigenetic Modifications ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Embryonic Genome Activation ◽  
Embryonic Genome ◽  
Genome Activation

Early mammalian development is characterized by extensive changes in nuclear functions that result from epigenetic modifications of the newly formed embryonic genome. While the first embryonic cells are totipotent, this status spans only a few cell cycles. At the blastocyst stage, the embryo already contains differentiated trophectoderm cells and pluripotent inner cell mass cells. Concomitantly, the embryonic genome becomes progressively transcriptionally active. During this unique period of development, the gene expression pattern has been mainly characterized in the mouse, in which embryonic genome activation (EGA) spans a single cell cycle after abrupt epigenetic modifications. To further characterize this period, we chose to analyze it in the rabbit, in which, as in most mammals, EGA is more progressive and occurs closer to the first cell differentiation events. In this species, for which no transcriptomic arrays were available, we focused on genes expressed at EGA and first differentiation and established a 2,000-gene dedicated cDNA array. Screening this with pre-EGA, early post-EGA, and blastocyst embryos divided genes into seven clusters of expression according to their regulation during this period and revealed their dynamics of expression during EGA and first differentiation. Our results point to transient properties of embryo transcriptome at EGA, due not only to the transition between maternal and embryonic transcripts but also to the transient expression of a subset of embryonic genes whose functions remained largely uncharacterized. They also provide a first view of the functional consequences of the changes in gene expression program.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Remodeling in Male Germline Development

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Li ◽  
Qiaoyan Shen ◽  
Jinlian Hua
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Germline Development ◽  
Epigenetic Remodeling ◽  
Development Processes

In mammals, germ cells guarantee the inheritance of genetic and epigenetic information across generations and are the origin of a new organism. During embryo development, the blastocyst is formed in the early stage, is comprised of an inner cell mass which is pluripotent, and could give rise to the embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The inner cell mass undergoes demethylation processes and will reestablish a methylated state that is similar to that of somatic cells later in epiblast stage. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) will be formed very soon and accompanied by the process of genome-wide demethylation. With the input of male sex determination genes, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are generated and undergo the process of spermatogenesis. Spermatogenesis is a delicately regulated process in which various regulations are launched to guarantee normal mitosis and meiosis in SSCs. During all these processes, especially during spermatid development, DNA methylation profile and histone modifications are of crucial importance. In this review, we will discuss the epigenetic modifications from zygote formation to mature sperm generation and their significance to these development processes.

scholarly journals Position- and Hippo signaling-dependent plasticity during lineage segregation in the early mouse embryo

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eszter Posfai ◽  
Sophie Petropoulos ◽  
Flavia Regina Oliveira de Barros ◽  
John Paul Schell ◽  
Igor Jurisica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Global Gene Expression ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Egfp Expression ◽  
Hippo Signaling ◽  
Ability To Regenerate ◽  
Early Mouse ◽  
Cell Commitment

The segregation of the trophectoderm (TE) from the inner cell mass (ICM) in the mouse blastocyst is determined by position-dependent Hippo signaling. However, the window of responsiveness to Hippo signaling, the exact timing of lineage commitment and the overall relationship between cell commitment and global gene expression changes are still unclear. Single-cell RNA sequencing during lineage segregation revealed that the TE transcriptional profile stabilizes earlier than the ICM and prior to blastocyst formation. Using quantitative Cdx2-eGFP expression as a readout of Hippo signaling activity, we assessed the experimental potential of individual blastomeres based on their level of Cdx2-eGFP expression and correlated potential with gene expression dynamics. We find that TE specification and commitment coincide and occur at the time of transcriptional stabilization, whereas ICM cells still retain the ability to regenerate TE up to the early blastocyst stage. Plasticity of both lineages is coincident with their window of sensitivity to Hippo signaling.

Isolation of the murine cyclin B2 cDNA and characterization of the lineage and temporal specificity of expression of the B1 and B2 cyclins during oogenesis, spermatogenesis and early embryogenesis

Development ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 229-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.L. Chapman ◽  
D.J. Wolgemuth
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Northern Blot ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Development ◽  
Early Embryogenesis ◽  
Northern Blot Hybridization ◽  
Germ Cell Development

A cDNA encoding the murine cyclin B2 (cycB2) was isolated from an adult mouse testis cDNA library as part of studies designed to identify cyclins involved in murine germ cell development. This cycB2 cDNA was then used to examine the pattern of cycB2 expression during male and female germ cell development and in early embryogenesis, and to compare this expression with the previously characterized expression of cycB1. A single 1.7 kb cycB2 transcript was detected by northern blot hybridization analysis of total RNA isolated from midgestation embryos and various adult tissues. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses revealed that cycB2 expression in the testis was most abundant in the germ cells, specifically in pachytene spermatocytes. This is in contrast to the highest levels of expression of cycB1 being present in early spermatids. In situ analysis of the ovary revealed cycB2 transcripts in both germ cells and somatic cells, specifically in the oocytes and granulosa cells of growing and mature follicles. The pattern of cycB1 and cycB2 expression in ovulated and fertilized eggs was also examined. While the steady state level of cycB1 and cycB2 signal remained constant in oocytes and ovulated eggs, signal of both appeared to decrease following fertilization. In addition, both cycB1 and cycB2 transcripts were detected in the cells of the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm of the blastocyst. These results demonstrate that there are lineage- and developmental-specific differences in the pattern of the B cyclins in mammalian germ cells, in contrast to the co-expression of B cyclins in the early conceptus.

The human blastocyst: cell number, death and allocation during late preimplantation development in vitro

Development ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Hardy ◽  
A.H. Handyside ◽  
R.M. Winston
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Human Blastocyst ◽  
Development In Vitro

The development of 181 surplus human embryos, including both normally and abnormally fertilized, was observed from day 2 to day 5, 6 or 7 in vitro. 63/149 (42%) normally fertilized embryos reached the blastocyst stage on day 5 or 6. Total, trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) cell numbers were analyzed by differential labelling of the nuclei with polynucleotide-specific fluorochromes. The TE nuclei were labelled with one fluorochrome during immunosurgical lysis, before fixing the embryo and labelling both sets of nuclei with a second fluorochrome (Handyside and Hunter, 1984, 1986). Newly expanded normally fertilized blastocysts on day 5 had a total of 58.3 +/− 8.1 cells, which increased to 84.4 +/− 5.7 and 125.5 +/− 19 on days 6 and 7, respectively. The numbers of TE cells were similar on days 5 and 6 (37.9 +/− 6.0 and 40.3 +/− 5.0, respectively) and then doubled on day 7 (80.6 +/− 15.2). In contrast, ICM cell numbers doubled between days 5 and 6 (20.4 +/− 4.0 and 41.9 +/− 5.0, respectively) and remained virtually unchanged on day 7 (45.6 +/− 10.2). There was widespread cell death in both the TE and ICM as evidenced by fragmenting nuclei, which increased substantially by day 7. These results are compared with the numbers of cells in morphologically abnormal blastocysts and blastocysts derived from abnormally fertilized embryos. The nuclei of arrested embryos were also examined. The number of TE and ICM cells allocated in normally fertilized blastocysts appears to be similar to the numbers allocated in the mouse. Unlike the mouse, however, the proportion of ICM cells remains higher, despite cell death in both lineages.

Developmental expression and cellular localization of glucose transporter molecules during mouse preimplantation development

Development ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 305-312
Author(s):  
M. Aghayan ◽  
L.V. Rao ◽  
R.M. Smith ◽  
L. Jarett ◽  
M.J. Charron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Cellular Localization ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Preimplantation Development ◽  
Developmental Expression

Two general mechanisms mediate glucose transport, one is a sodium-coupled glucose transporter found in the apical border of intestinal and kidney epithelia, while the other is a sodium-independent transport system. Of the latter, several facilitated transporters have been identified, including GLUT1 (erythrocyte/brain), GLUT2 (liver) and GLUT4 (adipose/muscle) isoforms. In this study, we used Western-blot analysis and high resolution immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) to investigate the stage-related expression and cellular localization of GLUT1, 2 and 4. The Western blot results demonstrate that GLUT1 is detectable in the oocyte and throughout preimplantation development. GLUT2 isoforms were not detectable until the blastocyst stage, while the GLUT4 isoform was undetectable in the oocyte through blastocyst stages. The present findings confirm previous studies at the molecular level which demonstrated that mRNAs encoding the same GLUT isoforms are detectable at corresponding developmental stages. GLUT1 and GLUT2 display different cellular distributions at the blastocyst stage as shown by IEM studies. GLUT1 has a widespread distribution in both trophectoderm and inner cell mass cells, while GLUT2 is located on trophectoderm membranes facing the blastocyst cavity. This observation suggests a different functional significance for these isoforms during mouse preimplantation development.

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