Using the ensembl genome server to browse genomic sequence data.

The Ensembl project provides a comprehensive source of automatic annotation of the human genome sequence, as well as other species of biomedical interest, with confirmed gene predictions that have been integrated with external data sources. This unit describes how to use the Ensembl genome browser (http://www.ensembl.

Using the Ensembl genome server to browse genomic sequence data.

The Ensembl genome Web browser (http://www.ensembl.org) provides a comprehensive source of automatic annotation of the human genome sequence (as well as other species of biomedical interest), with confirmed gene predictions that have been integrated with external data sources.

Activin A and follicle-stimulating hormone control tight junctions in avian granulosa cells by regulating occludin expression.

Within the avian ovarian follicle, the oocyte is surrounded by a monolayer of granulosa cells, which exhibit pronounced epithelial properties. Here we demonstrate the presence of the major tight junction protein occludin in granulosa cells. As shown by immunohistochemistry, occludin localizes to the oocyte-facing granulosa cell surface.

Activin a signaling induces Smad2, but not Smad3, requiring protein kinase a activity in granulosa cells from the avian ovary.

Activin A signaling is an important regulator of ovarian granulosa cell function. The cytosolic signal transducer Smad2 is most highly expressed in chicken granulosa cells (cGC) of preovulatory follicles. Moreover, Smad2 shows predominant nuclear localization in freshly isolated cGC, indicating active Smad signaling in vivo.

Activin and follicle-stimulating hormone signaling are required for long-term culture of functionally differentiated primary granulosa cells from the chicken ovary.

Follicle-stimulating hormone, activin A, and transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha are important regulators of chicken granulosa cell (cGC) function. Hence, we aimed to test whether these growth factors are useful for establishing a suitable in vitro cell culture model system of primary cGC. Although cGC are easily isolated from distinct follicular stages, a long-term cGC culture system for in vitro studies has been unavailable.