Spawning areas and early development of long spiky-head carp (Luciobrama macrocephalus) in the Yangtze River and Pearl River, China

The spawning areas and early development of long spiky-head carp, Luciobrama macrocephalus (Lacepede), an endemic fish species in China, were investigated in the Yangtze River and Pearl River of central and southeastern China between 1961 and 1993. The potamodromous fish migrated upstream to spawn between May and July as the floodwater began to rise. The water-hardened eggs drifted down the river, and the embryos and larvae developed in the course of drifting. The spawning areas of the fish were widely found in the upper and middle main channels and large tributaries. Two large dams (Gezhouba dam and Danjiangkou dam) did not significantly impact on the reproduction of the fish. Fifty stages of the early development from one cell to the juvenile with fully formed fins were observed and characterized pictorially. The larvae of long spiky-head carp could be distinguished from the larvae of other co-occurring species by counting the number of somites and comparing the proportion of sizes of eye to otic capsule.

Comparative ontogenetic behavior and migration of kaluga, Huso dauricus, and Amur sturgeon, Acipenser schrenckii, from the Amur River

We conducted laboratory experiments with kaluga, Huso dauricus, and Amur sturgeon, Acipenser schrenckii, to develop a conceptual model of early behavior. We daily observed embryos (first life phase after hatching) and larvae (period initiating exogenous feeding) to day-30 (late larvae) for preference of bright habitat and cover, swimming distance above the bottom, up- and downstream movement, and diel activity. Day-0 embryos of both species strongly preferred bright, open habitat and initiated a strong, downstream migration that lasted 4 days (3 day peak) for kaluga and 3 days (2 day peak) for Amur sturgeon. Kaluga migrants swam far above the bottom (150 cm) on only 1 day and moved day and night; Amur sturgeon migrants swam far above the bottom (median 130 cm) during 3 days and were more nocturnal than kaluga. Post-migrant embryos of both species moved day and night, but Amur sturgeon used dark, cover habitat and swam closer to the bottom than kaluga. The larva period of both species began on day 7 (cumulative temperature degree-days, 192.0 for kaluga and 171.5 for Amur sturgeon). Larvae of both species preferred open habitat. Kaluga larvae strongly preferred bright habitat, initially swam far above the bottom (median 50-105 cm), and migrated downstream at night during days 10-16 (7-day migration). Amur sturgeon larvae strongly avoided illumination, had a mixed response to white substrate, swam 20-30 cm above the bottom during most days, and during days 12-34 (most of the larva period) moved downstream mostly at night (23-day migration). The embryo-larva migration style of the two species likely shows convergence of non-related species for a common style in response to environmental selection in the Amur River. The embryo-larva migration style of Amur sturgeon is unique among Acipenser yet studied.

Factors affecting the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transplantation in the fish embryo

Procedures to improve somatic cell nuclear transplantation in fish were evaluated. We reported effects of nonirradiated recipient eggs, inactivated recipient eggs, different combinations between recipient eggs and donor cells, duration of serum starvation, generation number, and passage number of donor cells on developmental rates of nuclear transplant (NT) embryos. Exposure to 25,000 R of gamma-rays inactivated recipient eggs. Single nucleus of cultured, synchronized somatic cell from gynogenetic bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) was transplanted into nonirradiated or genetically inactivated unfertilized egg of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). There was no significant difference in developmental rate between nonirradiated and inactivated recipient eggs (27.27% vs. 25.71%, respectively). Chromosome count showed that 70.59% of NT embryos contained 48 chromosomes. It showed that most NT embryos came from donor nuclei of bighead carp, which was supported by microsatellite analysis of NT embryos. But 23.53% of NT embryos contained more than 48 chromosomes. It was presumed that those superfluous chromosomes came from nonirradiated recipient eggs. Besides, 5.88% of NT embryos were chimeras. Eggs of blunt-snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) and gibel carp were better recipient eggs than those of loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) (25% and 18.03% vs. 8.43%). Among different duration of serum starvation, developmental rate of NT embryos from somatic nuclei of three-day serum starvation was the highest, reaching 25.71% compared to 14.14% (control), 20% (five-day), and 21.95% (seven-day). Cultured donor cells of less passage facilitated reprogramming of NT embryos than those of more passage. Recloning might improve the developmental rate of NT embryos from the differentiated donor nuclei. Developmental rate of fourth generation was the highest (54.83%) and the lowest for first generation (14.14%) compared to second generation (38.96%) and third generation (53.01%). (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Ontogenetic behavior and migration of Chinese sturgeon, Acipenser sinensis

The Chinese sturgeon, Acipenser sinensis, is an anadromous protected species that presently only spawns in the Yangtze River. Using laboratory experiments, we examined the behavioral preference of young Chinese sturgeon to physical habitat (water depth, illumination intensity, substrate color, and cover) and monitored their downstream migration. Hatchling free embryos were photopositive, preferred open habitat, and immediately upon hatching, swam far above the bottom using swim-up and drift. Downstream migration peaked on days 0-1, decreased about 50% or more during days 2-7, and ceased by day 8. Days 0-1 migrants were active both day and night, but days 2-7 migrants were most active during the day. After ceasing migration, days 8-11 embryos were photonegative, preferred dark substrate and sought cover. Free embryos developed into larvae and began feeding on day 12, when another shift in behavior occurred-larvae returned to photopositive behavior and preferred white substrate. The selective factor favoring migration of free embryos upon hatching and swimming far above the bottom may be avoidance of benthic predatory fishes. Free embryos, which must rely on yolk energy for activity and growth, only used 19 cumulative temperature degree-days for peak migration compared to 234 degree-days for growth to first feeding larvae, a 1 : 12 ratio of cumulative temperature units. This ratio suggests that sturgeon species with large migratory embryos, like Chinese sturgeon, which require a high level of energy to swim during migration, may migrate only a short time to conserve most yolk energy for growth.

Nuclear transplantation in different strains of zebrafish

Single later blastula nuclei from AB strain of zebrafish (Danio rerio) were transplanted into enucleated unfertilized eggs of Long fin strain. Of 1119 cloning embryos, 14 reconstructed embryos developed into fry. DNA fingerprinting systems of the cloned fish were similar to those of the nuclear donor fish, but were distinctly different from those of the unclear recipient fish. It confirmed that the genetic material originated from nuclear donor cell other than from nuclear recipient egg. The research suggested that the basic technique for nuclear transplantation performed with different strains of zebrafish has made a breakthrough. It should be helpful for the study of some important developmental problems such as gene function, the regulation of gene expression during animal development, the developmental potential of a nucleus and the interactions between the donor nucleus and the recipient cytoplasm, etc.

Screen for stage-specific expression genes between tail bud stage and heartbeat beginning stage in embryogenesis of gynogenetic silver crucian carp

A systemic study was initiated to identify stage-specific expression genes in fish embryogenesis by using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique. In this study, we presented a preliminary result on screen for stage-specific expression genes between tail bud stage (TBS) and heartbeat beginning stage (HBS) in gynogenetic silver crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). Two SSH plasmid libraries specific for TBS embryos and HBS embryos were constructed, and stage-specific expression genes were screened between the two stages. 1963 TBS positive clones and 2466 HBS positive clones were sampled to PCR amplification, and 1373 TBS and 1809 HBS PCR positive clones were selected to carry out dot blots. 169 TBS dot blot positive clones and 272 HBS dot blot positive clones were sequenced. Searching GenBank by using these nucleotide sequences indicated that most of the TBS dot blot positive clones could not be found homologous sequences in the database, while known genes were mainly detected from HBS dot blot positive clones. Of the 79 known genes, 20 were enzymes or kinases involved in important metabolism of embryonic development. Moreover, specific expressions of partial genes were further confirmed by virtual northern blots. This study is the first step for making a large attempt to study temporal and spatial control of gene expression in the gynogenetic fish embryogenesis.

The toxic effects of microcystin-LR on embryo-larval and juvenile development of loach, Misguruns mizolepis Gunthe

Microcystin-LR, a specific and potent hepatotoxin, was tested for its effects oil loach embryo-larval and juvenile development, The results of this study showed that loach embryos were more sensitive when exposed to microcystin-LR at a later than at an earlier stage of development, Juveniles were far less sensitive to MC-LR than were embryos and larvae. Mortality and developmental abnormality were proven to be dose-dependent and to be stage-specific sensitive. Among the abnormal changes noted were: pericardial edema and tubular heart, bradycardia, homeostasis, poor yolk resumption. small head, curved body and tail, and abnormal hatching, Liver and heart were the main targets of microcystin-LR toxicity. Ultrastructural analysis documented a complex set of sublethal effects of microcystin-LR on loach hepatocytes, chiefly including morphological alteration in nuclear and RER of loach liver cells. fit addition, microcystin-LR was lethal to loach juvenile in the subacute (7 days) exposure (LC50) = 593.3 mug/l). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

In vitro culture of embryonic hearts from guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata)

Forty embryonic hearts were taken out by anatomical needle from denuded embryos of the ovoviviparity guppy fish that were dechorioned by mechanic method or by trypsin digestion, and were in vitro cultured. In the cultured hearts, 80% have maintained beating in vitro for 4 weeks, and the longest record for beating was 142 d. Owing to fish embryo transparency, beating frequency and blood color changes are easily viewed from the embryonic hearts under a dissecting microscope. The current study established the in vitro culture method of embryonic hearts in guppy fish, which can be used as a model for the study of heart and cardiovascular system in vertebrates.

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A KINASE SPECIFIC FOR THE SERINE-RICH AND ARGININE-RICH PRE-MESSENGER-RNA SPLICING FACTORS

Members of the SR family of pre-mRNA splicing factors are phosphoproteins that share a phosphoepitope specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 104. Recent studies have indicated that phosphorylation may regulate the activity and the intracellular localization of these splicing factors. Here, we report the purification and kinetic properties of SR protein kinase 1 (SRPK1), a kinase specific for SR family members. We demonstrate that the kinase specifically recognizes the SR domain, which contains serine/arginine repeats. Previous studies have shown that dephosphorylated SR proteins did not react with mAb 104 and migrated faster in SDS gels than SR proteins from mammalian cells. We show that SRPK1 restores both mobility and mAB 104 reactivity to a SR protein SF2/ASF (splicing factor 2/alternative splicing factor) produced in bacteria, suggesting that SRPK1 is responsible for the generation of the mAb 104-specific phosphoepitope in vivo. Finally, we have correlated the effects of mutagenesis in the SR domain of SF2/ASF on splicing with those on phosphorylation of the protein by SRPK1, suggesting that phosphorylation of SR proteins is required for splicing.

三叶因子在结直肠癌组织中的表达与临床关系及三叶因子-2在大肠杆菌中的重组表达和活性研究

癌症是世界发达国家和许多发展中国家人口的疾病主要死亡原因之一，其中，每年结直肠癌的新增病例和死亡病例排在癌症的第三位。在我国，北京、上海等地的统计资料显示，结直肠癌的发病上升很快 ，已排在癌症的第二位。结直肠癌的发生发展过程涉及一系列细胞和分子事件的改变，包括基因结构的异常和基因表达谱的异常。三叶因子（trefoil factor, TFF）是在上世纪80年代末到90初初由不同研究小组先后发现的含特殊的三叶因子结构域的蛋白多肽，其结构域的特征是含38-40个氨基酸残基的肽段中，有6保守的个半胱氨酸残基以1—5、2—4、3—6的方式形成二硫键，从而形成紧密的三叶结构域。在哺乳动物体内目前发现的三叶因子有三种，由粘膜组织内不同细胞合成并分泌到粘膜表面，对粘膜起保护作用。在粘膜损伤时，可通过多种途径促进上皮细胞迁移和抑制细胞凋亡，并促进血管形成，参与粘膜损伤的修复和重建。三叶因子在肿瘤组织中表达，则可能对癌症的发展起促进作用。研究资料显示，三叶因子在肿瘤中的表达异常与多种肿瘤的发生和发展过程有关。我们通过DNA测序检测结直肠癌组织中TFF1和TFF3基因各外显子的核苷酸序列，以确定是否存在基因突变。并用QRT-PCR和免疫组织化学的方法检测结直肠癌组织中TFF1和TFF3的mRNA和蛋白质的表达水平，分析其表达与结直肠癌的临床和病理特征之间的关系。同时，用ELISA方法检测结直肠癌患者血清中TFF1和TFF3的含量，以分析其与临床的关系，并逐步研究这两种三叶因子有否可能作为结直肠癌有用的血清分子标记。 目前得到以下研究结果：①在TFF1基因5`-端非翻译区位于起始密码上游—2bp处有一高频率的（C→T）突变位点,频率为40%，在其他非编码区也发现若干个较低频率的突变位点。未发现TFF3的基因突变；②TFF1和TFF3的mRNA水平在不同患者结直肠癌组织中的表达水平差异很大。与临床病理关系由于样品例数较少，未作统计学出理。结直肠癌组织中TFF1和TFF3蛋白表达检出阳性率分别为90%和94%。TFF1的表达与结直肠癌临床及病理类型未发现统计学意义，TFF3的表达上调与肿瘤淋巴结转移有关；③结直肠癌患者血清中TFF1的含量为（78.6575±53.300ng/ml），比健康人群血清TFF1含量（19.6457±5.3880ng/ml），增高约4倍，这一结果属首次报道。结直肠癌患者血清中TFF3的含量为（27.96±21.985ng/ml），比正常人群血清TFF3含量（9.0875±2.0315ng/ml）增高约3 1 倍。TFF1和TFF3能否作为结直肠癌的血清分子标志，尚需完善相关资料和作进一步研究。 TFF1和TFF3分别含一个三叶结构域，在靠近C-末端有一个游离的半胱氨酸巯基，TFF1和TFF3通过此二硫键形成同源二聚体，是其活性的主要形式。TFF2含两个三叶结构域，在三叶结构域外其靠近N-端和C-端各有一个半胱氨酸，两者以二硫键相连，形成紧密的结构。我们用pET系统克隆和表达人TFF2(hTFF2)，以及TFF2三叶结构域外二硫键解开的突变型TFF2(MhTFF2)，并测定细胞迁移活性。结果获得高效表达的hTFF2和MhTFF2，占细胞质总蛋白量的40%以上，经亲和层析后得到样品纯度在95%以上。对HCT116细胞株的划痕试验表明，hTFF2和MhTFF2对HCT116细胞具有迁移作用，细胞迁移数约为对照BSA的1.5倍。 结论:①结直肠癌组织中三叶因子-1和三叶因子-3基因突变不是三叶因子表达异常的主要原因；②TFF1和TFF3的转录水平在不同结直肠癌组织中有很多差异，TFF3蛋白的高表达与结直肠癌淋巴转移有关；③血清中TFF1和TFF3的含量检测可能会成为结直肠癌有用的血清分子标志；④pET质粒系统可高效表达可溶性三叶因子-2，并可表达获得有细胞迁移活性的重组融合蛋白TFF2；⑤TFF2的三叶结构域外的二硫键对TFF2的细胞迁移活性不是必须的。

非洲爪蛙分泌型叶酸结合蛋白及NKX6.3在早期胚胎神经发育中的功能研究

叶酸是B族维生素的一员，参与体内一系列重要的生命过程包括DNA，氨基酸的合成，调控细胞周期，参与一碳单位供体循环，调节DNA,蛋白质甲基化等。叶酸的许多功能都和叶酸结合蛋白有关，体内有多种跨膜形式的叶酸结合蛋白，比如Folbp1，RFC，HCP等。以前的研究表明这些不同的叶酸结合蛋白具有不同的功能。分泌型叶酸结合蛋白是另外一类叶酸结合蛋白，在人类，小鼠，猪中都有序列报道，但是其功能却知之甚少。 我们在非洲爪蛙中鉴定出一个全新的分泌型叶酸结合蛋白并命名为Secreted Folate Binding Protein(sFBP)。在胚胎和转染细胞系中我们都证明该蛋白是分泌性的，表面等离子共振实验发现sFBP能够结合叶酸。在胚胎早期这个基因表达于粘液腺和神经板区域，神经管闭合后在神经管、粘液腺、眼睛，头部以及鳃弓都有表达。特异morpholino 阻断sFBP翻译后发现粘液腺发育异常，神经管闭合缺陷，前后体轴聚集延伸运动受到抑制，尾芽期胚胎表现出体轴缩短，无眼，小头或无头的表型。进一步研究发现显微注射sFBP morpholino 的胚胎神经板区域细胞发生凋亡，中胚层和神经外胚层的一系列粘附分子表达异常，神经细胞的正常分化也受到抑制。通过显微移植实验我们还发现抑制sFBP的翻译后，神经嵴细胞的正常分化和迁移都受到抑制。但是，显微注射叶酸及其类似物或者显微注射甲基供体S-腺苷甲硫氨酸或者亮氨酸甲基转移酶都不能挽救阻断sFBP造成的表形，由此提示sFBP可能不是通过叶酸传统的参与营养合成或者甲基化的途径发挥作用。我们发现注射sFBP morpholino可以抑制Islet-1mRNA和蛋白质的表达，Islet-1的表达区域与sFBP类似。共同注射Islet-1 mRNA和sFBP morpholino可以极大的挽救sFBP morpholino的表型。最后通过morpholino特异阻断Islet-1的表达后，我们发现其表现出与sFBP morpholino类似的粘液腺发育缺陷，神经板细胞凋亡，小头无眼的表形。由此叶酸是B族维生素的一员，参与体内一系列重要的生命过程包括DNA，氨基酸的合成，调控细胞周期，参与一碳单位供体循环，调节DNA,蛋白质甲基化等。叶酸的许多功能都和叶酸结合蛋白有关，体内有多种跨膜形式的叶酸结合蛋白，比如Folbp1，RFC，HCP等。以前的研究表明这些不同的叶酸结合蛋白具有不同的功能。分泌型叶酸结合蛋白是另外一类叶酸结合蛋白，在人类，小鼠，猪中都有序列报道，但是其功能却知之甚少。 我们在非洲爪蛙中鉴定出一个全新的分泌型叶酸结合蛋白并命名为Secreted Folate Binding Protein(sFBP)。在胚胎和转染细胞系中我们都证明该蛋白是分泌性的，表面等离子共振实验发现sFBP能够结合叶酸。在胚胎早期这个基因表达于粘液腺和神经板区域，神经管闭合后在神经管、粘液腺、眼睛，头部以及鳃弓都有表达。特异morpholino 阻断sFBP翻译后发现粘液腺发育异常，神经管闭合缺陷，前后体轴聚集延伸运动受到抑制，尾芽期胚胎表现出体轴缩短，无眼，小头或无头的表型。进一步研究发现显微注射sFBP morpholino 的胚胎神经板区域细胞发生凋亡，中胚层和神经外胚层的一系列粘附分子表达异常，神经细胞的正常分化也受到抑制。通过显微移植实验我们还发现抑制sFBP的翻译后，神经嵴细胞的正常分化和迁移都受到抑制。但是，显微注射叶酸及其类似物或者显微注射甲基供体S-腺苷甲硫氨酸或者亮氨酸甲基转移酶都不能挽救阻断sFBP造成的表形，由此提示sFBP可能不是通过叶酸传统的参与营养合成或者甲基化的途径发挥作用。我们发现注射sFBP morpholino可以抑制Islet-1mRNA和蛋白质的表达，Islet-1的表达区域与sFBP类似。共同注射Islet-1 mRNA和sFBP morpholino可以极大的挽救sFBP morpholino的表型。最后通过morpholino特异阻断Islet-1的表达后，我们发现其表现出与sFBP morpholino类似的粘液腺发育缺陷，神经板细胞凋亡，小头无眼的表形。由此我们认为sFBP结合叶酸后可能通过细胞膜上的受体传递信号，并且Islet-1可能在sFBP的下游发挥作用。 神经嵴是脊椎动物特有的一群多潜能干细胞，产生于表皮和神经板的边界，在原肠运动之后这群细胞通过表皮间充值转换从神经管背侧迁移到不同的区域，分化成不同的细胞类型，包括外周神经系统，色素细胞，软骨等。神经嵴的发生是一个多步骤多基因参与的精细调控过程。目前理论认为最初由一些分泌性信号分子又叫形态生成素比如BMP,Wnt，FGF，Notch等通过不同浓度梯度的相互作用调节一组在表皮和神经板边界的转录因子（Msx、Pax3/7、Zic1、Dlx3/5等）的表达，即边界决定。这些边界决定因子进一步在预定形成神经嵴的区域激活神经嵴特化基因比如Slug/Snail、FoxD3、Twist、Sox9/10的表达完成神经嵴的特化（Specification）。 Nkx6.3是Nkx6家族的一个转录因子，RT-PCR显示其呈现母源性表达。特异抗体显示Nkx6.3蛋白第9期在整个胚胎都表达，大部分蛋白集中在细胞核，有少部分蛋白定位于细胞膜上；神经板时期主要定位于神经嵴区域的细胞膜上。过表达Nkx6.3会影响细胞粘连分子的表达，由此干扰正常的胚胎原肠运动和Activin诱导的动物帽聚集延伸运动。显微注射Nkx6.3特异morpholino阻断其蛋白表达会抑制神经嵴的marker基因Wnt8，Fgf8，Pax3，Msx1，Zic1，FoxD3，Slug的转录，阻碍神经嵴的发育。在动物帽中单独注射Nkx6.3可以在mRNA水平上诱导Wnt8、Fgf8另一方面抑制BMP4的表达进而诱导神经嵴基因Pax3，Zic1，Slug的表达。报告基因实验也显示Nkx6.3能够激活Wnt信号而在动物帽中抑制BMP信号。Nkx6.3蛋白功能域分析发现其EH1结构域（domain）参与对Wnt8信号的激活，而EH1结构域和HD结构域之间的连接区域（linker domain）参与对FGF的激活和对BMP的抑制。进一步在动物帽和胚胎中分析发现Nkx6.3对Wnt8的激活依赖于FGF家族受体信号但是不依赖于Fgf8。有趣的是4细胞时期过表达Nkx6.3促进Fgf8和Wnt8 mRNA表达，但是抑制边界决定基因Msx1、Pax3和神经嵴特化基因Slug的转录。在32细胞时期显微注射Nkx6.3可以在内源神经嵴发生区域抑制Slug的表达，而异位却诱导Slug的mRNA。我们发现与动物帽中对BMP的调节不同，在胚胎中，过表达Nkx6.3会强烈的激活Smad1蛋白在细胞核中的表达即BMP信号被激活，高的BMP信号会抑制神经嵴的发生。另外我们发现过表达Nkx6.3在胚胎中抑制Dlx5而在动物帽中却不影响Dlx5的表达水平，Morpholino阻断Dlx5会抑制Msx1、Pax3和Slug的表达。BMP信号和Dlx5在动物帽和在整体胚胎中对Nkx6.3的不同响应可以一定程度上解释过表达Nkx6.3在2个系统中对神经嵴基因Slug相反的影响结果。

猕猴体细胞核移植影响因素的研究：着床前胚胎表观遗传重编程和供体细胞周期同步化

体细胞核移植（somatic cell nuclear transfer）克隆技术的成功，特别 是运用终末分化的淋巴细胞和嗅觉神经元细胞成功克隆出小鼠，证实了分化的体 细胞核潜在的发育全能性。该技术已经在多个物种上成功地得到克隆后代，在转 基因动物、基因敲除动物和疾病模型动物生产中也得到成功应用，在结合干细胞 技术的治疗性克隆和再生医学方面也取得了初步成果，展现出了具有深远意义的 应用前景。但是，目前该领域仍然存在着很多急待解决的重要问题：克隆成功率 低，克隆胚和克隆动物经常呈现发育异常，妊娠和出生前后的高死亡率。对哺乳 动物早期胚胎发育过程中DNA 甲基化、组蛋白修饰等表观遗传重编程 （epigenetic reprogramming）机制的深入了解，有助于研究体细胞核在去核卵 母细胞中的表观遗传重编程事件，进而改善克隆胚重编程效率和发育能力。 猕猴是一种重要的实验动物，在人类疾病模型和生物医药研究中有重要的意 义。本研究主要围绕猕猴体细胞克隆胚胎早期发育过程中的表观遗传重编程事件 和核移植前体细胞同步化处理这两方面展开。1），首次详细地了描绘了猕猴着床 前胚胎发育过程中整体水平的DNA 甲基化表观遗传重编程事件，研究发现在受精 卵中父本基因组形成原核后迅速地发生了去甲基化，在2 细胞期后的卵裂过程 中，母本基因组才开始逐渐地去甲基化，到桑葚胚达到最低水平，然后开始重新 （de novo）甲基化,到囊胚期时形成不对称的甲基化模式，滋养外胚层（TE）呈 现高甲基化状态，而内细胞团（ICM）呈现低甲基化状态,这一不对称模式可能是 灵长类动物特有的，其他哺乳动物呈现正好相反的不对称模式。2），研究发现， 大多数猕猴克隆胚胎的DNA 甲基化重编程存在异常,效率低。很多2 细胞期克隆 胚（67%）和8 细胞期克隆胚（50%）的核DNA 甲基化水平显著高于对应的体 外受精胚，8 细胞克隆胚之间呈现多种不同的表观遗传特征。大多数克隆囊胚的 ICM 细胞核的甲基化水平显著高于IVF 囊胚，这些异常可能是导致克隆胚胎移 植到代孕母体后发育时间不长就失败的原因。3），在核移植前对猕猴成纤维细 胞同步化处理的研究中发现，血清饥饿，细胞周期阻断剂DMSO（二甲基亚砜）、 roscovitine、aphidicolin 和indirubin 的处理都有显著的同步化效果，提高了G0+G1 期细胞的比例。经过BrdU 标记法证实了这几种处理方法抑制细胞增殖的效果，并且证实了这种周期阻滞作用是可逆的。用原位末端标记法（TUNEL）分析证 实，血清饥饿1 到4 天后细胞凋亡比例显著上升，在贴壁的细胞中约有6%发生 凋亡，而正常对照只有1%左右，而周期阻断剂处理没有增加细胞凋亡率，这提 示这些周期阻断剂可能是一种相对安全且有效的猕猴成纤维细胞处理方法。核移 植前对猕猴成纤维细胞进行处理，有助于优化体细胞核移植技术，也是改善体细 胞核在克隆胚中重编程效率的重要途径。

猕猴胚胎干细胞自我更新机理及WNT 信号通路在猕猴胚胎早期发育中作用的研究

尽管大部分动物实验是在啮齿类动物上开展的，我们仍然相信涉及人类的许多问题，如胚胎干细胞的体内功能、调亡和肿瘤形成等只有在非人灵长类模型上才能得到最好的回答。猕猴(标准的非人灵长类动物模型)在解剖、生理和代谢方面都和人类非常相似。人类很多神经疾病，如阿尔茨海默氏病、帕金森病，只能在非人灵长类模型上才能精确建模。所以研究猕猴胚胎干细胞自我更新的原理及猕猴胚胎早期发育，对研究免疫排斥，检测基于胚胎干细胞的治疗的可行性，安全性和有效性具有重要意义。本文一方面对胚胎干细胞维持自我更新和多潜能性的机理研究进行了综述，另一方面对以下两个方面的内容进行了研究： 1）运用寡核苷酸芯片和定量PCR 验证的方法来分析五株猕猴饲养层细胞的表达模式，期望发现在支持性和非支持性的饲养层细胞中差异性表达的基因。我们着重定位于饲养层胞外空间和细胞膜上的细胞因子，因为这些因子可以通过直接接触或通过膜结合受体激活下游信号通路，并最终促进猕猴胚胎干细胞的自我更新。我们发现在支持性的饲养层中有八个基因是高表达的，他们是GREM2， bFGF，KITLG，DKK3，GREM1，AREG，SERPINF1 和LTBP1； 经定量PCR 验证的SCF，bFGF 和GREM2 的表达情况都和芯片数据吻合。 2）为了描述在IVF (in vitro fertilized, 体外受精)，ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection, 单精注射)，SCNT (somatic cell nuclear transfer, 体细胞核移植)和孤雌生殖猕猴囊胚中WNT 信号通路的表达情况，我们运用了信号通路特异性PCR Array 系统及免疫细胞化学来检测mRNA 和蛋白表达水平。其中，ICSI 作为IVF 胚胎的参照组，以排除显微操作对胚胎质量的影响。结果，我们发现非经典WNT/JNK 信号，而不是经典WNT 信号通路，在IVF 正常胚胎发育中起作用。而体细胞核移植和孤雌生殖的胚胎的WNT 信号通路基因表达明显高于正常胚胎。WNT 信号通路基因的表达模式可以作为胚胎质量的一个指示标准，有助于回答为什么猕猴 SCNT 和孤雌生殖胚胎发育异常。

小鼠早期胚胎几种不同培养方法的比较

目的探讨小鼠胚胎体外发育中的最佳培养方案。方法将从超排的ICR雌鼠输卵管内收集的1-细胞放入无糖CZB中培养,分别于2-细胞、4-细胞、桑椹胚阶段更换入含3.0 mmol/L葡萄糖(最适浓度)的CZB中,以及胚胎培养全程均在含糖CZB中更换1次培养液、胚胎培养全程均在含糖CZB中不更换培养液,对照组胚胎培养全程均在无糖CZB中,观察记录胚胎的发育情况。结果2-细胞、4-细胞阶段换入含糖CZB中的序贯培养及培养全程在含糖CZB中单一培养,囊胚率均高于对照组(P<0.05);桑椹胚阶段换入含糖CZB中的序贯培养,囊胚率与对照组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);2-细胞、4-细胞阶段换入含糖CZB中的序贯培养与全程在含糖CZB中的两步法单一培养及一步法单一培养,囊胚率分别为46.5%、38.4%、41.7%、56.6%,其差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论在小鼠早期胚胎体外发育中,2-细胞至桑椹胚前对葡萄糖存在依赖性;尽管序贯培养是有效的,但并不一定优于一步单一培养。