Epigenetics

Differential expression of the MHM region and of sex-determining-related genes during gonadal development in chicken embryos

L. C. Caetano, Gennaro, F. G. O., Coelho, K., Araújo, F. M., Vila, R. A., Araújo, A., A. Bernardo, deMelo, Marcondes, C. R., Lopes, S. M. Chuva de S., and Ramos, E. S., Differential expression of the MHM region and of sex-determining-related genes during gonadal development in chicken embryos, vol. 13, pp. 838-849, 2014.

The chicken (Gallus gallus) embryo has been used as a classic model system for developmental studies because of its easy accessibility for surgical manipulation during embryonic development. Sex determination in birds is chromosomally based (ZZ for males and ZW for females); however, the basic mechanism of sex determination is still unknown. Here, the dynamics of expression of candidate genes implicated in vertebrate sex determination and differentiation were studied during embryonic chicken gonadal development.

Localization and expression of histone H2A variants during mouse oogenesis and preimplantation embryo development

B. J. Wu, Dong, F. L., Ma, X. S., Wang, X. G., Lin, F., and Liu, H. L., Localization and expression of histone H2A variants during mouse oogenesis and preimplantation embryo development, vol. 13, pp. 5929-5939, 2014.

Epigenetic modifications of the genome, such as histone H2A variants, ensure appropriate gene activation or silencing during oogenesis and preimplantation embryo development. We examined global localization and expression of the histone H2A variants, including H2A.Bbd, H2A.Z and H2A.X, during mouse oogenesis and preimplantation embryo development. Immunocytochemistry with specific antibodies against various histone H2A variants showed their localization and changes during oogenesis and preimplantation development.

Accurate monitoring of promoter gene methylation with high-resolution melting polymerase chain reaction using the ABCB1 gene as a model

A. L. Mencalha, Rodrigues, E. F., Abdelhay, E., and Fernandez, T. S., Accurate monitoring of promoter gene methylation with high-resolution melting polymerase chain reaction using the ABCB1 gene as a model, vol. 12, pp. 714-722, 2013.

Multidrug resistance is the major cause of cancer chemotherapy failure. This phenotype is mainly due to the overexpression of the human ABCB1 gene. Several studies have shown that the transcriptional regulation of this gene is complex. Yet, the impact of this transcriptional regulation has not been well studied in a clinical setting. The acquired expression of ABCB1 is associated with the genomic instability of cancer cells.

S-adenosylmethionine, a methyl donor, up regulates tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in colorectal cancer

Z. Hussain, Khan, M. I., Shahid, M., and Almajhdi, F. N., S-adenosylmethionine, a methyl donor, up regulates tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in colorectal cancer, vol. 12, pp. 1106-1118, 2013.

DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic mechanism in regulating the expression of genes controlling crucial cell functions in cancer development. Gene silencing via CpG island methylation/demethylation in the promoter region is one of the mechanisms by which different genes are inactivated/activated in human cancers. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) is known to antagonize matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and to suppress tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis.

Identification of a DNA methylation point in the promoter region of the bovine CYP21 gene

A. M. da Silva, de Freitas, M. A. R., Rios, A. F. L., Renzi, A., Lôbo, R. B., Galerani, M. A. V., Vila, R. A., and Ramos, E. S., Identification of a DNA methylation point in the promoter region of the bovine CYP21 gene, vol. 10. pp. 1409-1415, 2011.

The CYP21 (steroid 21-hydroxylase) gene is involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones. Bov-A2 is a retroposon that is common in ruminant genomes. The promoter region of bovine CYP21 contains a short interspersed nucleotide element of Bov-A2, which overlaps a putative Sp1 binding site. We looked for RFLP/HpaII polymorphism in the Bov-A2 element in bovine Zebu breeds by PCR-RFLP, and examined whether polymorphism in this element is associated with methylation.

Imprinted gene expression in in vivo- and in vitro-produced bovine embryos and chorio-allantoic membranes

F. Perecin, Méo, S. C., Yamazaki, W., Ferreira, C. R., Merighe, G. K. F., Meirelles, F. V., and Garcia, J. M., Imprinted gene expression in in vivo- and in vitro-produced bovine embryos and chorio-allantoic membranes, vol. 8, pp. 76-85, 2009.

Cloning by nuclear transfer is often associated with poor results due to abnormal nuclear reprogramming of somatic donor cells and altered gene expression patterns. We investigated the expression patterns of imprinted genes IGF2 and IGF2R in 33- to 36-day bovine embryos and chorio-allantoic membranes derived from in vivo- and in vitro-produced embryos by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), parthenogenetic activation, and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

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