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ABSTRACT: Egg yolks of avian species contain large quantities of immunoglobulin (Ig) Ys transferred from maternal blood circulation. However, it is unclear how maternal IgYs are incorporated into the egg yolks of maturing oocytes. The aim of this study was to identify the amino acid residues required for efficient IgY transport into the egg yolks of quail by utilizing recombinant quail IgY-Fc (qIgY-Fc). Five amino acid residues (361-365 at the Cυ3 domain) located on the Cυ3/Cυ4 interface were individually substituted for alanine residues. The mutants were then intravenously injected into laying quail, and their uptakes into egg yolks were measured by ELISA. Substitution of L362, Y363 and I364 for alanine markedly reduced qIgY-Fc uptake into the egg yolks to almost undetectable levels. With respect to the Y363 residue, neither substitution for phenylalanine nor substitution of tryptophan reduced qIgY-Fc uptake, suggesting the necessity of an aromatic side-chains at the Y363 residue. Interestingly, substitution of G365 for alanine or for other polar- or non-polar amino acids elevated qIgY-Fc uptake by 2.5-fold compared to that of the wild-type qIgY-Fc. Analyses of the blood concentrations of the two alanine mutants with a low uptake (Y363A) and a high uptake (G365A) showed that their modified uptakes were not explained by changes in blood clearance. Removal of the N-glycosylated carbohydrate chain at the Cυ3 domain by substituting an N408 residue for alanine also resulted in lowered qIgY-Fc uptake. These results emphasize the existence of a selective IgY transport system recognizing the Cυ3 domain of IgY, which raises the possibility that an IgY with high transport ability might be engineered by genetic manipulation.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 03/2013; · 2.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In avian species, maternal IgY is selectively incorporated into the egg yolks of maturing oocytes, but the relevance of receptor-mediated uptake is unclear. Here we investigated the critical amino acid residues of IgY required for egg yolk transport by conducting mutational analyses of selected residues located along the Cυ3 and Cυ4 domains of chicken IgY. Recombinant wild-type IgY-Fc (WT) and its mutants were synthesized, and their uptakes into the egg yolks of quail were determined. Among the 17 amino acid residues located on the Cυ3/Cυ4 interface, the substitution of Y363 at the Cυ3 domain to alanine abolished the IgY-Fc uptake into egg yolks. The comprehensive substitution of Y363 with other amino acids revealed that the residue at 363 needs to be allocated with aromatic amino acids to maintain the high transport ability. The deglycosylation of the N-linked carbohydrate chain by substituting N407 at the Cυ3 domain with alanine also caused a marked reduction of IgY-Fc uptake. The microscopic detection of the injected WT and Y363A mutant in ovarian follicles showed that the WT was concentrically accumulated in yolk granules, whereas the Y363A mutant was hardly accumulated in yolk granules, but it had infiltrated into the granulosa cell layer, suggesting that a major hurdle disturbing the infiltration of the Y363A mutant lies on the inside of the granulosa cell layer. The identification of important amino acid residues required for efficient IgY transport enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying IgY transport through a specific IgY receptor in ovarian follicles.
Developmental and comparative immunology 12/2012; · 3.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Coffee has an anti-diabetic effect, specifically the amelioration of both hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, in KK-A(y) mice, a type 2 diabetes animal model. To investigate coffee's effect on insulin signaling in liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue (epididymal fat), we assayed the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor (IR) and serine phosphorylation of Akt. In Expt. 1, we assayed insulin signaling under nonfasting conditions in KK-A(y) mice that ingested water or coffee for 4 wk. Coffee ingestion ameliorated the development of hyperglycemia but did not affect insulin signaling in liver or skeletal muscle under such conditions. In Expt. 2, we assayed insulin signaling under basal and insulin-stimulated conditions in KK-A(y) mice that ingested water or coffee for 3 wk. The levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor in response to insulin injection in insulin-sensitive tissues were not different between mice that drank water and those that drank coffee. Coffee ingestion significantly increased the insulin-induced serine phosphorylation of Akt in liver and skeletal muscle, but not in epididymal fat, of KK-A(y) mice. Our results also indicated that coffee ingestion may contribute to the improvement of insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in KK-A(y) mice via the activation of Akt in insulin signaling in liver and skeletal muscle.
Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology 01/2012; 58(6):408-14. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We have previously demonstrated that coffee and caffeine ameliorated hyperglycemia in spontaneously diabetic KK-A(y) mice. This present study evaluates the antidiabetic effects of coffee and caffeine on high-fat-diet-induced impaired glucose tolerance in C57BL/6J mice. C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet were given regular drinking water (control group), or a 2.5-fold-diluted coffee or caffeine solution (200 mg/L) for 17 weeks. The ingestion of coffee or caffeine improved glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and hyperinsulinemia when compared with mice in the control group. The adipose tissue mRNA levels of inflammatory adipocytokines (MCP-1 and IL-6) and the liver mRNA levels of genes related to fatty acid synthesis were lower in the coffee and caffeine groups than those in the control group. These results suggest that coffee and caffeine exerted an ameliorative effect on high-fat-diet-induced impaired glucose tolerance by improving insulin sensitivity. This effect might be attributable in part to the reduction of inflammatory adipocytokine expression.
Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry 12/2011; 75(12):2309-15. · 1.28 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Each abdominal fat depot, such as mesenteric or epididymal, differently contributes to the development of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic regions that contribute to fat accumulation in epididymal/mesenteric fat and to examine whether or not the genetic regions that affect glucose metabolism and body fat distribution are coincident. We previously mapped a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) (T2dm2sa) for impaired glucose tolerance on chromosome 2 and revealed that SM.A-T2dm2sa congenic mice showed not only glucose tolerance but also fat accumulation. In the present study, to identify the loci/genes that control the accumulation of abdominal fat, we performed QTL analyses of epididymal/mesenteric fat weight by using (A/J x SM.A-T2dm2sa)F2 mice in which the effect of T2dm2sa was excluded. As a result, two highly significant QTLs for mesenteric fat, as well as three significant QTLs for epididymal/mesenteric fat, were mapped on the different chromosomal regions. This suggests that the fat accumulations in individual fat depots are controlled by distinct genomic regions. Our comparison of these QTLs for abdominal fat distribution with those for glucose metabolism revealed that the major genetic factors affecting body fat distribution do not coincide with genetic factors affecting glucose metabolism in (A/J x SM.A-T2dm2sa)F2.
The Journal of Lipid Research 12/2010; 51(12):3463-9. · 5.56 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In avian species, it has been assumed that an Fc receptor in the ovarian follicles mediates immunoglobulin Y (IgY) transport into the yolk. However, no such receptor responsible for IgY has been identified to date. To examine potential IgY binding activity in the entire ovarian follicle, whole-mount sections of quail ovarian follicle were incubated with the Fc fragment of chicken IgY (cIgY). Whole-mount frozen sections of the second largest ovarian follicle were prepared, and then the sections were incubated with digoxigenin-labeled Fc or Fab fragments of cIgY. Microscopic observation revealed that incubation with the cIgY-Fc fragment produced a binding signal in the inner layer of the ovarian follicular tissues, most likely in the granulosa cell layer. However, no such signal was detected when the sections were incubated with cIgY-Fab. Coincubation of the ovarian sections with Alexa488-labeled cIgY-Fc and antiserum raised against ZP1, an envelope protein specifically localized in the perivitelline layer, demonstrated that the source of the Fc binding signals partly coincided with the perivitelline layer. In conclusion, our data suggest that potential IgY binding substances interacting with the Fc domain are present in the inner layers of ovarian follicular tissues, most likely in the granulosa cell layer and/or in the perivitelline layer.
Animal Science Journal 10/2010; 81(5):580-5. · 0.86 Impact Factor
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Rie Yamauchi,
Misato Kobayashi,
Yuji Matsuda,
Makoto Ojika,
Shigeru Shigeoka,
Yuko Yamamoto,
Yoshie Tou,
Takashi Inoue,
Takao Katagiri, Atsushi Murai,
Fumihiko Horio
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ABSTRACT: Epidemiological surveys have demonstrated that habitual coffee consumption reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this work was to study the antidiabetic effect of coffee and caffeine in spontaneously diabetic KK-A(y) mice. KK-A(y) mice were given regular drinking water (controls) or 2-fold diluted coffee for 5 weeks. Coffee ingestion ameliorated the development of hyperglycemia and improved insulin sensitivity. White adipose tissue mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines (MCP-1, IL-6, and TNFalpha), adipose tissue MCP-1 concentration, and serum IL-6 concentration in the coffee group were lower than the control group. Moreover, coffee ingestion improved the fatty liver. Caffeine ingestion as drinking water also caused an amelioration of hyperglycemia and an improvement of fatty liver. These results suggest that coffee exerts a suppressive effect on hyperglycemia by improving insulin sensitivity, partly due to reducing inflammatory cytokine expression and improving fatty liver. Moreover, caffeine may be one of the effective antidiabetic compounds in coffee.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 05/2010; 58(9):5597-603. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In avian species, maternal immunoglobulin (Ig) Y is selectively incorporated into the yolks of maturing oocytes, although the relevance of receptor-mediated uptake is unclear. When administered to birds, several mammalian Igs, including human IgG (hIgG), are also incorporated into the yolks. In the current study, to gain insight into selective Ig transport into yolks, we intended to identify the amino acid residues critical for Ig uptake into egg yolks using alanine and glycine-scanning mutagenesis of 16 residues located along the C(H)2 and C(H)3 domains of hIgG1. Wild-type hIgG1-Fc (WT) and its mutants were synthesized, and their uptakes into the egg yolks of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were determined. The triple mutation of loop MIS252-254 to GGG resulted in a 40% decrease in Fc uptake in comparison to that of the WT. Furthermore, quartet substitution of HEAL429-432 to GGGG located in an exposed loop at the C(H)3 domain completely abolished Fc uptake into egg yolks. Next, the residues HEAL429-432 were individually substituted with either alanine or glycine. Regardless of the glycine and alanine substitution, single mutations of H (429), E (430) and L (432) significantly reduced Fc uptake compared with WT uptake. Notably, the blood clearance rates of these mutants were equivalent to that of the WT. These results suggest that the clustered residues HEAL429-432 in the C(H)3 domain are important for the hIgG1 transport into the egg yolks. The sequence HEAL is conserved in chicken IgY at positions 550-553 within the C(H)4 domain, which might be involved in its uptake into the egg yolks by receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Molecular Immunology 03/2010; 47(7-8):1404-10. · 2.90 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The interaction between causative genes and diet is known to influence the onset of obesity and diabetes in humans, although it has remained difficult to identify diabetogenic gene(s) because humans are genetically and environmentally heterogeneous. Mouse SMXA recombinant inbred (RI) strains are established from parental inbred strains (SM/J and A/J) and have been shown to be beneficial tools for analyzing polygenic traits. We previously mapped a significant quantitative trait locus (QTL, T2dm1sa) on Chromosome (Chr.) 10 and suggestive QTLs on Chr. 2, 6, and 18 for diabetes-related traits by using SMXA RI strains fed a high-carbohydrate diet. As a first step in identifying the responsible gene among QTLs for glucose tolerance mapped on Chr. 10 and 18, we established new strains of A.SM-T2dm1sa and SM.A-D18Mit19-D18Mit7 congenic mice. Each congenic strain bears the diabetogenic allele of an introgressed chromosomal region on a genetic background strain carrying the non-diabetogenic allele. The diabetogenic effect of T2dm1sa mapped on Chr. 10 was not supported by studies of A.SM-T2dm1sa congenic mice when the mice were fed a high-carbohydrate or high-fat diet. SM.A-D18Mit19-D18Mit7 congenic mice showed impaired glucose tolerance not only when they were fed a high-carbohydrate diet, but also when they were fed a high-fat diet. Thus, it appears that gene(s) affecting diabetes-related traits under either dietary condition may be present on Chr. 18.
Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology 07/2009; 55(3):257-63. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Local thyroid hormone catabolism within the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) by thyroid hormone-activating (DIO2) and -inactivating (DIO3) enzymes regulates seasonal reproduction in birds and mammals. Recent functional genomics analysis in birds has shown that long days induce thyroid-stimulating hormone production in the pars tuberalis (PT) of the pituitary gland, which triggers DIO2 expression in the ependymal cells (EC) of the MBH. In mammals, nocturnal melatonin secretion provides an endocrine signal of the photoperiod to the PT that contains melatonin receptors in high density, but the interface between the melatonin signal perceived in the PT and the thyroid hormone levels in the MBH remains unclear. Here we provide evidence in mice that TSH participates in this photoperiodic signal transduction. Although most mouse strains are considered to be nonseasonal, a robust photoperiodic response comprising induced expression of TSHB (TSH beta subunit), CGA (TSH alpha subunit), and DIO2, and reduced expression of DIO3, was observed in melatonin-proficient CBA/N mice. These responses could not be elicited in melatonin-deficient C57BL/6J, but treatment of C57BL/6J mice with exogenous melatonin elicited similar effects on the expression of the above-mentioned genes as observed in CBA/N after transfer to short-day conditions. The EC was found to express TSH receptor (TSHR), and ICV injection of TSH induced DIO2 expression. Finally, we show that melatonin administration did not affect the expression of TSHB, DIO2, and DIO3 in TSHR-null mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that melatonin-dependent regulation of thyroid hormone levels in the MBH appears to involve TSH in mammals.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 12/2008; 105(47):18238-42. · 9.68 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In avian species, blood immunoglobulin (Ig) Y, the equivalent to mammalian IgG, is selectively incorporated into ovarian follicles, but other classes, IgA and IgM, are much less abundant in the follicles. Several mammalian Igs, including IgG and IgA, are also incorporated into ovarian follicles when administered to birds. To clarify the Ig structure required for incorporation into ovarian follicles, Ig uptakes were determined after the intravenous injection of chicken and human Igs. Three chicken Igs (cIgY, cIgA and cIgM) and two human IgAs (monomeric hIgA and polymeric hIgA) were labeled with digoxigenin, and their uptakes into quail (Coturnix japonica) egg yolks were determined by ELISA and SDS-PAGE. The uptake of cIgY was the highest among the three cIgs (22% of injected cIgY was recovered from egg yolks). Chicken IgA was efficiently incorporated into egg yolk when it formed a monomeric state. Pentameric IgM was untransportable into egg yolk. We also found that the uptake of monomeric hIgA was much more efficient than that of polymeric hIgA. These results suggest that the retention of the monomeric form contributes to the efficient transport of Igs into ovarian follicles. On the other hand, Ig uptakes among monomeric Igs nevertheless differed; for example, a time-course analysis showed that the rate of monomeric cIgY uptake was approximately eight times faster than that of monomeric hIgA. The injection of cIgY fragments Fc, Fab and F(ab')(2) resulted in the largest uptake of Fc fragment, with the same level as that of cIgY. These results suggest the presence of a selective IgY transport system that recognizes its Fc region in avian ovarian follicles.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 03/2008; 121(3-4):290-9. · 2.08 Impact Factor
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Tsubasa Anraku,
Tsuyoshi Takagi,
Nobuhiro Nakao,
Miwa Watanabe,
Shinobu Yasuo,
Yasuhiro Katou,
Yukihiro Ueda, Atsushi Murai,
Masayuki Iigo,
Shizufumi Ebihara,
Takashi Yoshimura
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ABSTRACT: In order to adapt to seasonal changes, animals exhibit robust changes in their reproductive status, body weight, and molt. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating such seasonal changes in physiology and behavior are not fully understood. Here, we report the photoperiodic regulation of the insulin receptor (IR) gene in the infundibular nucleus (anatomically homologous to the mammalian arcuate nucleus) of the Japanese quail. When the birds were transferred from short-day to long-day conditions, a significant increase in the level of IR mRNA was observed on the 10th long day, whereas that in testicular length was observed on the 5th long day. Castration abolished IR mRNA expression induced by long-day conditions, whereas the testosterone administration mimicked induction of IR mRNA expression induced by long-day conditions. These results suggested that the photoperiodic regulation of the IR mRNA in the infundibular nucleus is mediated by testosterone from the testes. It has been known that the central administration of insulin increases luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, and neuron-specific disruption of IR gene causes impaired gonadal function due to the dysregulation of LH and increased food intake and body weight. Together with these results, the photoperiodic regulation of the IR mRNA in the hypothalamus may enhance the effect of long days in the seasonal response of reproduction and body weight changes.
Brain Research 09/2007; 1163:86-90. · 2.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Expression of L-type pyruvate kinase (L-PK) is upregulated in the liver by dietary carbohydrate. Previously, 3 carbohydrate/insulin response elements were identified in the 5'-flanking region of the L-PK gene up to bp -170. Studies of the 5'-flanking region beyond bp -183 in transgenic mice suggested that other regulatory elements may be present upstream of bp -183, but the positions of these elements were uncertain. In the present study, the existence of regulatory regions of the L-PK gene responding to stimulation by feeding was examined using in vivo hydrodynamics-based gene transfection (HT) in mouse liver. The firefly-luciferase (FL) gene, fused with various lengths of the 5'-flanking region of the L-PK gene, was introduced into mouse liver by HT. The mice had free access to a high-carbohydrate diet. In liver homogenate, luciferase activity of pL-PK(-1467)-FL (which included the 5'-flanking region from bp -1467 to +17), was markedly stimulated by feeding. 5'-Deletion up to bp -1065 caused only minor changes in luciferase activity, but further deletion up to bp -690 and bp -203 caused significant, gradual decreases in activity. Further analyses utilizing 5'-deletion mutants indicated the existence of positive regulatory regions that respond to stimulation by feeding between bp -1065 and -945, and between -300 and -203 on the L-PK gene. These results suggest that unidentified cis-acting DNA elements exist in the upstream region of the L-PK gene, and that HT is a useful approach for detecting regulatory regions of genes expressed in the liver.
Journal of Nutrition 02/2006; 136(1):16-20. · 3.92 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate whether in vivo gene transfer causes leptin-antagonistic effects on food intake, animal body weight and fat tissue weight, the R128Q mutated-leptin gene, an R to Q substitution at position 128 of mouse leptin, was transferred into mouse liver and leg muscle by electroporation and hydrodynamics-based gene delivery. Mutated-leptin gene transfer by electroporation caused significant increases in body weight at 5 days and after (5.4% increase relative to control; p<0.05). Hydrodynamics-based gene delivery of the mutated-leptin gene also caused an increase in body weight (3.0% increase relative to control; p<0.05). Mutated-leptin gene transfer by electroporation significantly increased the tissue weight of epididymal white fat and neuropeptide Y mRNA expression in the hypothalamus compared with those of the control group 3 weeks after gene transfer (p<0.05). These results suggest that mutated-leptin gene transfer successfully produced leptin-antagonistic effects by modulating the central regulator of energy homeostasis. Also, the extent of leptin-antagonistic effects by electroporation was much higher than hydrodynamics-based gene delivery, with at least single gene transfer.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine 12/2005; 16(6):1015-20. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Synthetic single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs) designed for single nucleotide mismatch can induce targeted gene repair (TGR) in chromosomal DNA. TGR directed by ssODNs is an ideal method for gene manipulation because it precisely exchanges single nucleotides in targeted DNA without additional modification to the genome. However, TGR efficiency is still insufficient for practical use. Here, we report that bleomycin (BLM), which breaks double-stranded DNAs, stimulates TGR directed by ssODNs in BHK-21 cells. To evaluate TGR efficiency, transformants of BHK-21 cells permanently expressing mutant EGFP genes were established. Microscopy and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis clearly showed that the mutant EGFP gene was restored to a normal EGFP gene with an ssODN comple-mentary to a transcribed strand. TGR efficiency was measured by counting the number of GFP-fluorescent cells with a flow cytometer. TGR efficiency of the ssODN complementary to a transcribed strand was significantly higher than that of ssODN complementary to a non-transcribed strand, indicating that a strand bias existed. Exposure of cells to BLM stimulated TGR directed by ssODN in a dose-dependent manner, and high concentrations of BLM (750 ng/ml) abolished strand bias on TGR efficiency. These results suggest that BLM stimulates TGR directed by ssODNs in BHK-21 cells, probably due to activation of the DNA repair system.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine 11/2005; 16(4):615-20. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A cDNA encoding human antibody against hepatitis B virus was expressed in normal and severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mice to clarify whether or not host immune status affects circulating levels of the recombinant human antibody (RhAb) after nonviral in vivo gene transfer. For transferring genes, either electroporation (EP) or hydrodynamics-based transfection (HD) was employed. The former was applied to the leg muscle to express the gene, while the latter primarily targeted foreign gene expression in the liver. The expressed RhAb was secreted into the blood circulation, and its existence was assayed by ELISA. Prior to the investigation of host immune status, suitable forms of plasmid expression vectors and types of electrodes were determined in normal mice. Results showed that the vector encoding both the light and heavy chains driven by the CMV promoter had the highest plasma RhAb concentrations, and a pair of pincette-type electrodes conferred the best performance. In both EP and HD, the SCID state showed an increased and prolonged RhAb production in the blood circulation due probably to suppressed recognition of RhAb as a foreign protein to the host animal. The difference in gene transfer methods demonstrated a characteristic pattern: an early and sharp rise followed by a relatively rapid decrease in HD, in contrast to a gradual rise followed by a plateau level maintained in EP. As a result, with the same amount of gene transferred, the plasma RhAb concentrations for the first 7 or 8 weeks were higher in HD than EP, while the reverse was true for the latter period. Multiple gene transfer contributed to maintaining and prolonging high RhAb concentrations in plasma by both methods with similar characteristic patterns accompanying the respective gene transfer method. These results suggest the importance of host immunological potency for maintaining plasma RhAb concentrations if these gene transfer technologies are used for clinical and therapeutic purposes.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine 11/2005; 16(4):683-8. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In the present study, the cDNA encoding agouti-related protein (AGRP) gene known as an orexigenic factor was transferred in vivo to test whether food intake and body weight gain is improved in mice. When the expression plasmid of AGRP gene driven by mouse beta-actin, pActAGRP, was transferred into leg muscle by electroporation, body weight of gene-transferred mice was significantly increased at 14 days and afterwards compared with that of control counterparts (p < 0.05). Likewise, daily food intake was also significantly higher in the AGRP gene-transferred mice than in the control mice at 4 days and afterwards (p < 0.05). A significant increase in serum AGRP concentration of the AGRP gene-transferred group was detected compared with the control group at 1 week (p < 0.01), but the difference quickly disappeared at 3 weeks. However, the hypothalamic NPY mRNA abundance of AGRP gene-transferred mice was significantly higher than that of the control mice at 3 weeks (p < 0.05). These results suggested that instead of hormone administration per se, in vivo AGPR gene transfer into skeletal muscle was found to mimic hormonal effects. The present methodology of in vivo gene transfer by electroporation might be useful to promote growth and food intake in farm livestock as well as experimental animals.
Neuroscience Letters 12/2004; 370(2-3):108-13. · 2.11 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We tested the effect of electroporation (EP) medium composition on the rate of gene transfer and expression in the mouse ovary in vivo. FITC labeled oligonucleotides were dissolved in a medium with varying levels of CaCl2 concentration from 0 to 250 mM, and transferred by in vivo EP. Gene transfer efficiency was assessed by examining fluorescence signal intensity with a fluorescent microscope at 3 h after in vivo EP. The results indicated that CaCl2 concentration at 50 mM gave the highest transfer efficiency of the oligonucleotides only in the presence of phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Without PBS or CaCl2, the oligonucleotide transfer was negligible. A further increase in CaCl2 from 50 to 250 mM lowered the transfer efficiency. Little fluorescence signal was attained by substituting CaCl2 for MgCl2, NaCl or KCl. Addition of glycerol to the EP medium with 50 mM CaCl2 did not improve the transfer efficiency in the presence of PBS, although a marginal increase was observed in the absence of PBS. The stimulating effect of increased CaCl2 concentration from 0 to 50 mM was further evaluated by examining the intensity of reporter protein expression after transferring the bacterial lacZ gene. The results of X-gal staining demonstrated that CaCl2 with a range of 20 to 100 mM, showed enhanced gene expression in comparison with 0 mM. However, no remarkable difference was observed between the different CaCl2 concentrations, suggesting that the stimulating effect of CaCl2 on gene transfer and expression in the mouse ovary in vivo may not necessarily parallel in terms of the optimal concentration.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine 10/2003; 12(3):365-8. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We attempted to raise the frequency of targeted gene repair attained by RNA/DNA chimeraplasty through activation of endogenous DNA recombination/repair system in cultured melan-c cells. For elevating the repair activity, either gamma-ray irradiation at 2 Gy or bleomycin addition at 5 nM to the culture medium was done. Subsequently, the tyrosinase-targeted chimeric RNA/DNA oligonucleotides were transfected. The frequency of targeted gene repair was assessed by three means, i.e., changes in cell color from transparent to dark black, restriction fragment band patterns, and DNA sequencing analysis. The results indicated that the gamma-ray irradiation did not improve the efficiency at all. In contrast, the low-dose bleomycin addition induced the frequency of targeted base conversion, compared with transfection with chimeric RDOs alone, although the frequency was still insufficient and varied from 0.1 to 10% of the total cultured cells.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine 08/2003; 12(1):109-14. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In vivo electroporation and hydrodynamics-based gene delivery were utilized to test the effect of leptin gene transfer on food intake, and body and fat weights of mice. Gene transfer of pVRmob by electroporation caused a significant reduction in body weight compared with the control counterpart (p<0.05), although a lesser effect was found in food intake, and the weights of interscapular brown and epididymal fat by electroporation. As might be expected, the hydrodynamics-based transfection method significantly reduced body weight over 1 week post-transfection (p<0.05). Furthermore, epididymal fat was decreased by 50% at 1 week after gene transfer (p<0.001). These results suggest that both electroporation and hydrodynamics-based gene delivery may be effective approaches for systemic delivery of recombinant leptin to the central nervous system, and that the efficiency of gene transfer in hydrodynamics-based gene delivery was markedly higher than that in electroporation at least within the first week after transfection.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 08/2003; 307(3):440-5. · 2.48 Impact Factor
