Development & reproduction最新文献

Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3; BP-3) is used as a component of sunscreens, and known to disrupt the endocrine system of marine organisms. This study evaluated BP-3 toxicity on Shimofuri goby (Tridentiger bifasciatus). We evaluated morphological changes during embryogenesis. In addition, hatching rate (HR) and embryo survival to hatching were assessed. Embryos were exposed to BP-3 in artificial seawater, and then they were randomly sampled every 12 hours for microscopic observation and cortisol analysis. 36 hours after exposure to BP-3 100 and 1,000 μg/L groups, the tail was not separated from the yolk sac. 72 hours after exposure, incompleted eye pigmentation was observed at 100 and 1,000 μg/L BP-3. After 48 and 60 hours of exposure, all individuals in the control group had elongated tails, whereas individuals in the all BP-3 treated group failed to elongate or showed signs of bent tails. Survival rate decreased dose-dependently (control: >90%) with LC₅₀-96h=493 μg/L. HR significantly declined in all BP-3 groups in a dose-dependent manner. And, heartbeat was increased in response to BP-3 1,000 μg/L. High levels of cortisol were observed in the initial groups (0 hours) and decreased after 24 hours. The BP-3 100 and 1,000 μg/L showed significantly lower cortisol levels than the control at 96 hours of exposure. Overall, this study suggests that BP-3 can interfere with embryonic development, resulting in adverse effects on survival and HRs in T. bifasciatus embryos.

The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) governs the rate-limiting step of steroid hormone biosynthesis by facilitating cholesterol transfer from the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) to the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). This essential function initiates pregnenolone synthesis by P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (CYP11A1, cytochrome P450scc) within IMM. Beyond its biochemical role, StAR is a critical developmental protein, with spatiotemporally restricted expression during fetal adrenal and gonadal differentiation. Its activity is tightly regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional control by transcription factors, GATA post-translational phosphorylation, mitochondrial targeting, and proteolytic degradation. Structurally, StAR functions through a dynamic molten globule-like conformation and a conserved StAR-related lipid transfer (START) domain that mediates cholesterol binding. StAR interacts with mitochondrial proteins such as nonselective voltage-gated ion channel VDAC (VDAC), translocator protein (TSPO), and ATPase family AAA domain-containing protein 3A (ATAD3A), forming part of the transduceosome complex that coordinates cholesterol transfer. Mutations in STAR, particularly within the START domain), cause lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a disorder marked by impaired steroidogenesis and disrupted endocrine organ development. This review integrates current knowledge on the molecular and developmental roles of STAR, emphasizing how its precise regulation is essential for embryonic steroidogenesis. Understanding StAR's function at the interface of lipid transport and organogenesis provides critical insight into congenital steroidogenic disorders and potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Neural progenitors of the ventral spinal cord differentiate into GABAergic Kolmer-Agduhr neurons (KA) under the control of Jagged2-meditated Notch signaling during late neurogenesis. Mib-mediated Notch signaling has also been demonstrated to regulate the number of KA neurons in the p3 domain. However, the relationship between Jagged2 and Mib during late neurogenesis remains unclear. Here we investigate how Mib is involved in the regulation of Jagged2 and the long-range Notch signaling. Ubiquitination of Jagged2 by Mib was found to promote its proteasome-dependent degradation in undifferentiated P19 cells, but not in differentiated P19 cells by retinoic acid. Co-IP assay revealed that Mib physically interacts with Jagged2, but not with the intracellular domain itself. Cell transplantation experiments showed that the formation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing Jagged2 was promoted by the co-expression of Mib. Our observations suggest that EVs containing Jagged2 and Mib may play a role in the Notch signaling in discrete compartments of the neural tube during the development of the vertebrate nervous system.

Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) functions as a transcriptional coactivator, which shuttles between the cytoplasm and the nucleus under the Hippo signaling. It is known to be involved in promoting cell proliferation, organ overgrowth, survival to stress, and dedifferentiation by interacting with TEAD transcription factors (TEADs). However, the regulation of TAZ by intrauterine hormones has not yet been investigated. In this study, we investigated TAZ expression during the estrous cycle in the normal mouse uterus and the effect of estrogen and progesterone on TAZ expression in the ovariectomized (OVX) mouse uterus. TAZ expression levels did not show a statistically significant change in the uterus during the estrous cycle. However, immunofluorescence revealed that TAZ nuclear localization significantly increased at the estrus stage. In the OVX mouse uterus, the expression levels of TAZ mRNA and protein dramatically increased in a time-dependent manner after estrogen treatment. Also, immunofluorescence showed that the nuclear TAZ expression increased at 6 h and 12 h after estrogen treatment compared to the oil treated OVX mouse uterus (0 h). Finally, pretreatment of an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780 efficiently reduced estrogen-induced TAZ expression. However, progesterone did not significantly affect the expression of TAZ in both mRNA and protein levels. In conclusion, TAZ expression is regulated and activated by estrogen through nuclear estrogen receptors, ERα, and ERβ in the uterine environment.

The deleted in azoospermia like (DAZL) gene is a member of the DAZ gene family. It is firstly identified in male germ cells and recognized as a key molecule of their development, now it is extended to the female germ cells and the embryo. The DAZL gene is constructed with 11 exons, 10 introns, a 5' untranslated region (UTR), and a 3' UTR, and the enhancers at the upstream of the promoter in both human and mouse. It has been revealed that DAZL gene expression is not restricted to germ cells. The known mechanisms for expression regulation include the CpG methylation on the promoter region and post-transcriptional regulation by antagonistic proteins. DAZL protein has one RNA recognition motif (RRM) and one DAZ repeat. DAZL orchestrates the translation of numerous mRNAs essential for germ cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Several studies have unveiled DAZL's broader roles, including its involvement in stemness and tumorigenicity through post-transcriptional regulation via polyadenylation and potential functions in RNA stabilization. The alternatively spliced variants are also evaluated in different tissues. This review consolidates current knowledge on DAZL's molecular mechanisms, expression, and emerging research directions, and introduces DAZL gene anatomy.

Germline cells are specified early in embryogenesis and are encapsulated by somatic cells to form the gonads (testis or ovary). This development requires genes with expression restricted to germline cells, such as the DEAD-box RNA helicase Vasa, an evolutionarily conserved protein exclusively expressed in the germline of the testis. However, the mechanisms underlying germline-specific expression remain poorly understood. To identify microRNAs that function in the somatic cells of the testis, we employed the binary Gal4/UAS expression system, which enables the expression of UAS-microRNA sponges in somatic cells driven by somatic Gal4 drivers. The screening identified the miR-932 sponge as a regulator. Testes with hub-specific Gal4 driven expression of the UAS-miR-932 sponge exhibit ectopic Vasa expression in the hub cells. Thus, our findings suggest that miR-932 in the somatic hub cells prevents Vasa expression in these cells.

Previously, we developed a short-term incubation method of rat adrenal and demonstrated that nonylphenol (NP) exposure could induce changes in secretions of adrenal hormones. In the present study, the effects of NP on changes in hormonal secretion from hypothalamus were investigated. The catecholamine levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) and the levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and kisspeptin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The norepinephrine (NE) levels from NP-treated male and female hypothalamus were not significantly changed across the entire treatment concentration (from 1 nM to 1 μM), except male 10 nM-treated group which were significantly lower than control (p<0.05). The epinephrine (E) levels from NP-treated female hypothalamus were significantly increased in 100 pM- and 1 nM-trated group (p<0.05). However, the E levels from NP-treated male hypothalamus were significantly decreased in 100 pM- and 10 nM-treated group (p<0.05). The GnRH levels from NP-treated hypothalamus showed an increasing trend, especially significant in male 10 nM- and 100 nM-treated groups (p<0.001) and female 1 nM-, 100 nM- and 1 μM-trated groups (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). Also, the kisspeptin levels in incubated media of both sexes showed a strong increasing trend, especially significant in male 1 nM- and 10 nM-treated groups (p<0.05) and all of female groups except 10 nM-treated. In conclusion, our incubation method could be quite suitable for rapidly and effectively measuring endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) activity in hypothalamus. NP treatment shown stimulatory effects on both GnRH and kisspeptin secretions from hypothalamus of both sexes, suggesting possible relationship between NP exposure and reproductive phenomena and related disorders.

Gonadotropins, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), are widely used to induce ovarian hyperovulation during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) for the treatment of infertility. However, the effects of repeated administration of these gonadotropins on immune function, particularly on T cell development in the thymus, remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of repeated administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and hCG on thymic T cell development in mice. Histological analysis revealed structural changes in the thymus, including a blurred boundary between the medulla and cortex and reduced vascularization after repeated administration of PMSG and hCG. Quantitative real-time PCR showed increased expression of adipogenesis-related genes [phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 2 (aP2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)] but no significant changes in thymic epithelial cell-related genes [autoimmune regulator (AIRE), epithelial V-like antigen (EVA), interleukin 7 (IL-7)]. Flow cytometry revealed a decrease in CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells and an increase in CD4-CD8-T cells with altered CD25/CD44 subsets. In addition, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in the spleen were significantly reduced. These findings suggest that repeated gonadotropin exposure may disrupt thymic T cell development and peripheral T cell populations, potentially impairing immune function. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and broader immunologic consequences of gonadotropin use in infertility treatment.

The egg quality is a representative limiting factor in developing culture techniques for certain fish species. It is a known predictor of subsequent larval viability, quality, and stress resistance related to aquaculture productivity. Here we tracked egg quality in a second generation of broodstock small yellow croacker, Larimichthys polyactis. Cultured second generation broodstock (3 years old, 600 fishes) was reared in indoor tank (30 tons). We induced natural spawning with increasing water temperature (11.5°C22.0°C) and regulation of photoperiod (9L:15D). We used spawning events from spawning period and monitored basic morphometrics such as: egg viability, egg diameter (ED), oil droplet diameter (OD) and oil droplet volume. Natural spawning of the broodstock was maintained for 23 days. EDs and OD for L. polyactis decreased as the spawning season progressed and water temperature increased. We showed that smaller eggs lead to higher quality with viability, and that using eggs later in the spawning season would lead to better production. In addition, the volume of oil droplet was the strongest factors for prediction of egg viability for cultured second generation of small yellow croaker.

While Pacific oysters are important commercial aquaculture species worldwide, the effect of hormonal regulation and environmental conditions on growth and taste profile have not been fully known. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) systems are known to play a major role in regulating neuroendocrine functions across various physiological processes and are particularly involved in growth. IGFs expression also is directly related to the nutritional status of vertebrates, however, full mechanism has not been clearly identified in bivalves. In this study, differences in growth, IGFs expression, and taste according to cultivation site of Pacific oysters were investigated. Oysters were collected in three different spawning sites located on the south coast of Korea in July 2022 and hardened until June 2023. Then, the oysters were cultured in two different growing sites (Tongyeong site, TS; Geoje site, GS) for six months. The total weight of oysters, along with their condition index and tissue weight rate, was significantly higher in TS. Additionally, IGF expression was higher in TS during most of the sampled months. However, oysters from the GS scored higher in taste evaluations. The IGFs system in oysters shows a similar trend to previous studies, with higher levels in faster-growing individuals, suggesting oysters in TS were more adequately nourished by the surrounding environment in this research. However, in taste evaluation, oysters from the GS showed better results than those from the TS. Despite these results, determining whether one site is superior in certain aspects is still not fully possible, which warrants further investigations.