Embryology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Embryology, including details on stem cells, reproduction, transplants, cloning.

Expression of Transferrin Binding Protein in the Capillaries of the Brain in the Developing Chick Embryo.

Kim DW, Lee HN, Song JE, Jung KJ, Yang WM, Kwon K, Jeon GS, Lee YH, Chung CK, Cho SS

Department of Anatomy, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, 301-131, South Korea.

Transferrin-binding protein (TfBP) has been shown to be a novel protein, structurally related to the chicken heat shock protein 108. The physiological function of this protein, however, has not yet been established. Antiserum to TfBP selectively stains transferrin- and iron-rich oligodendrocytes and choroidal epithelium in the adult and embryonic chick brain, suggesting a role for this protein in transferrin and iron storage in these cells. In this study, we further demonstrate TfBP-immunoreactivity (IR) in the blood vessels of the embryonic chick central nervous system. A strong TfBP-IR was present in blood vessels from E6, declined from E10 and was absent by E18. Thus, the expression of the TfBP in the blood vessels precedes its expression in the oligodendrocytes. At the subcellular level, TfBP-IR was confined to the cytoplasm of capillary pericytes while the Tf-receptor IR was associated with the capillary endothelium of the brain. The up-regulated expression of TfBP, together with the Tf-receptor of the brain capillaries, suggests that pericytes may be associated with the high iron uptake required for the metabolic demands of the developing brain.

Published 6 May 2008 in Neurochem Res.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

Articles on Embryology published 6 May 2008:

Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO)-mediated improvement in cultured embryo quality in vitro entails changes in ascorbate metabolism, meristem development and embryo maturation.   Planta.

Applications of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of GSH (reduced glutathione), which switches the cellular glutathione pool towards the oxidized form GSSG, positively influences embryo quality by improving the structure of the shoot apical meristem and promoting embryo maturation, both of which improve the post-embryonic performance of the embryos. To investigate the mechanisms underlying BSO-mediated improvement in embryo quality the transcript profiles of developing Brassica napus ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Embryology published 5 May 2008:

Early embryo development in the elephant assessed by serial ultrasound examinations.   Theriogenology, 69(9): 1120-8.

The elephant has an extraordinary long pregnancy, lasting 21 months. However, knowledge on embryo development is limited. To date, only single morphological observations of elephant embryo development associated with placentation are available, all lacking correlation to gestational age. The present study describes morphological characteristics of early embryo development in the elephant with exact biometric staging. Six pregnancies in five Asian and one African elephants with known conception ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Antral follicle count (AFC) can be used in the prediction of ovarian response but cannot predict the oocyte/embryo quality or the in vitro fertilization outcome in an egg donation program.   Fertil Steril.

OBJECTIVE: To verify whether the antral follicle count (AFC) could predict ovarian response, oocyte/embryo quality, and IVF outcome. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Instituto Universitario-InstitutoValenciano de Infertilidad, Valencia, Spain. PATIENT(S): One thousand seventy-four donors and 975 oocyte recipient cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), endometrial preparation, IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, ET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): COH and oocyte/embryo ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Embryology published 2 May 2008:

Retinoid signaling can repress blastula Wnt signaling and impair dorsal development in Xenopus embryo.   Differentiation.

Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are actively involved during vertebrate embryogenesis. However, exogenous retinoids have also long been known as potent teratogens. The defects caused by retinoid treatment are complex. Here, we provided evidence that RAR-mediated retinoid signaling can repress Xenopus blastula Wnt signaling and impair dorsal development. Exogenous retinoic acid (RA) could antagonize the dorsalizing effects of lithium chloride-mediated Wnt activation in blastula embryos. The ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Embryology published 1 May 2008:

Benzo(a)pyrene-caused increased G(1)-S transition requires the activation of c-Jun through p53-dependent PI-3K/Akt/ERK pathway in human embryo lung fibroblasts.   Toxicol Lett.

Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) is a potent lung carcinogen mainly derived from tobacco smoking and environmental contamination, however, the molecular mechanisms by which it accelerates the cell cycle progression and induces the abnormal cell proliferation are still far away from understood. Our current analysis of human embryo lung fibroblasts (HELF) showed that B(a)P exposure was able to promote cell cycle G(1)-S phase transition. This effect was correlated with c-Jun activation because inhibition of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Embryology published 30 April 2008:

Fas-associated factor (FAF1) is required for the early cleavage-stages of mouse embryo.   Mol Hum Reprod, 14(4): 207-13.

FAF1 was initially isolated as a Fas-associated factor and was subsequently found to interact with a subset of additional proteins that are involved in many cellular events including Fas-mediated apoptosis, heat shock signalling pathways and ubiquitin-dependent processes. Here, we describe that the 74-kDa FAF1 is ubiquitously expressed, while the expression of its post-translational-processed 49-kDa isoform is restricted to post-meiotic male germ cells. In ovary, FAF1 protein is localized ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Electron microscopy of the early Caenorhabditis elegans embryo.   J Microsc, 230: 297-307.

The early Caenorhabditis elegans embryo is currently a popular model system to study centrosome assembly, kinetochore organization, spindle formation, and cellular polarization. Here, we present and review methods for routine electron microscopy and 3D analysis of the early C. elegans embryo. The first method uses laser-induced chemical fixation to preserve the fine structure of isolated embryos. This approach takes advantage of time-resolved fixation to arrest development at specific stages. ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

The embryo as moral work object: PGD/IVF staff views and experiences.   Sociol Health Illn.

We report on one aspect of a study that explored the views and experiences of practitioners and scientists on social, ethical and clinical dilemmas encountered when working in the field of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for serious genetic disorders. The study produced an ethnography based on observation, interviews and ethics discussion groups with staff from two PGD/IVF Units in the UK. We focus here on staff perceptions of work with embryos that entails disposing of 'affected' or ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

© 2005-2008 Embryology Research Today. All Rights Reserved.