Subcellular Characterization of Porcine Oocytes with Different Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Activities.

The in vitro maturation (IVM) efficiency of porcine embryos is still low because of poor oocyte quality. Although brilliant cresyl blue positive (BCB+) oocytes with low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity have shown superior quality than BCB negative (-) oocytes with high G6PDH activity, the use of a BCB staining test before IVM is still controversial. This study aimed to shed more light on the subcellular characteristics of porcine oocytes after selection using BCB staining.

Using a nano-flare probe to detect RNA in live donor cells prior to somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Many transgenes are silenced in mammalian cells (donor cells used for somatic cell nuclear transfer [SCNT]). Silencing correlated with a repressed chromatin structure or suppressed promoter, and it impeded the production of transgenic animals. Gene transcription studies in live cells are challenging because of the drawbacks of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Evolution of mammalian and avian bornaviruses.

Recently, Avian Bornavirus (ABV) was identified to be a new member of the Bornaviridae family consisting solely of the mammal-infecting Borna disease virus (BDV). Here, to gain more insights into the evolution of these bornaviruses, the time-stamped N gene sequences of BDV genotype 1 (BDV1) and ABV were subjected to Bayesian coalescent analyses. The nucleotide substitution rates and the divergence times were estimated.

[Role of microRNA in induced pluripotent stem cell].

MicroRNAs are ~22 nt long small noncoding RNA molecules that silence post-transcription gene expression. It has proven that microRNAs are widely expressed in eukaryotes and play an important role in the regulation of cell differentiation and development, growth metabolism, and many other cell activities. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) are a type of pluripotent stem cells reprogrammed from somatic cells and exhibit the essential characteristics of embryonic stem cells.

The type and extent of injuries in vitrified mouse oocytes.

To improve the vitrification of mouse oocytes using straws, we attempted to estimate the type and extent of injuries during vitrification with a vitrification solution EAFS10/10. Injuries in oocytes were assessed based on cellular viability, the integrity of the plasma membrane, the status of the meiotic spindle/chromosomes, and morphological appearance. For morphologically normal oocytes, the ability to be fertilized and to develop into blastocysts was examined.

Temporal and spatial expression of AIF in the mouse uterus during early pregnancy.

Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is a phylogenetically old, bifunctional protein with a pro-apoptotic function and redox activity. AIF regulates apoptosis and also plays a role in the defense against stress depending on its subcellular localization. Embryo implantation is a complicated process, in which an activated blastocyst interacts with a receptive uterus.

[miRNAs play an essential role in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation].

Stem cells and miRNAs are two of the most intriguing research topics in recent years. Stem cells with properties of self-renewal and multipotency are remarkable cells since they play key roles in animal development and tumorigenesis. microRNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 22nt non-coding RNAs, which have spatiotemporally specific expression patterns, and are highly conserved between species.

[Advances in the study of stem cell niche].

A stem cell niche is defined as the microenvironment surrounding stem cells, and it is generally composed of adjacent cells, adhensive molecules, extracellular matrix, and so on. Stem cells in different tissues differ in their niches. Stem cell niches regulate stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.