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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / RNA-seq analysis of equine conceptus transcripts during embr...
PloS one2014; 9(12); e114414; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114414

RNA-seq analysis of equine conceptus transcripts during embryo fixation and capsule disappearance.

Abstract: Extensive studies have been conducted to characterize the unique phenomena of equine pregnancy. Most studies have focused on embryo transmigration when the embryo is covered with a mucin-like glycoprotein capsule and on the characterization of the chorionic girdle and chorionic gonadotropin (CG) secretion. However, the events preceding and following capsule disappearance have not been well studied. In this study, the mRNA expression in conceptus membranes at days 19, 21, and 25 (day 0 = day of ovulation) was analyzed by RNA-seq (SOLiD3), and transcript levels on these three days and day 13 were confirmed by real-time PCR. Of the 26,416 equine genes registered, 20,436 transcripts were aligned to sequences in the Ensembl database, from which 4,625 transcripts were registered in both Ensembl and the KEGG pathway. Each of the 4,625 transcripts was examined through KEGG pathway analysis, and 12 transcripts of integrins (ITGs) and collagens (COLs) were confirmed through real-time PCR. Our data indicated that extracellular matrix (ECM)-related mRNAs were highly expressed in day 19, 21, and 25 conceptus membranes. In combination with previous results, which confirmed a lack of laminin and fibronectin transcript expression in the endometrium, these observations suggest that in contrast to attachment through focal adhesion, conceptus chorionic membrane ECMs function as a scaffold-like structure to possibly maintain the shape of the conceptus and a separation between chorionic membranes and the uterine luminal epithelium.
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Publication Date: 2014-12-16 PubMed ID: 25514169PubMed Central: PMC4267804DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114414Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates the mRNA expression in the conceptus membranes of an equine embryo during different stages of early pregnancy. It also suggests that extracellular matrix (ECM)-related mRNAs function as a scaffold-like structure to possibly maintain the shape of the conceptus and a separation between chorionic membranes and the uterine luminal epithelium.

Overview of the Study

  • This study focuses on understanding the changes that occur in the equine conceptus during the early stages of pregnancy, particularly around the time of embryo fixation and the disappearance of the capsule.
  • The researchers have conducted RNA-seq analysis, a technology that allows researchers to investigate changes in gene expression, on the conceptus membranes of equine embryos at days 19, 21, and 25, with day 0 being the day of ovulation.
  • The analysis was performed using SOLiD3 technology, and the findings were later confirmed through real-time PCR, a technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify targeted DNA molecules.

Findings of the Study

  • Out of the 26,416 equine genes registered, 20,436 transcripts were aligned to sequences in the Ensembl database, a comprehensive source of automatically generated sets of gene predictions.
  • 4,625 of these transcripts were registered in both the Ensembl and the KEGG pathway, a collection of databases dealing with genomes, biological pathways, diseases, drugs, and chemical substances.
  • Upon examination of these 4,625 transcripts through KEGG pathway analysis, 12 transcripts of integrins (ITGs) and collagens (COLs) were confirmed through real-time PCR.
  • The study revealed a high expression of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related mRNAs in the day 19, 21, and 25 conceptus membranes.
  • In combination with previous results, this suggests that in contrast to attachment through focal adhesion, conceptus chorionic membrane ECMs function as a scaffold-like structure, potentially maintaining the shape of the conceptus and enabling separation between the chorionic membranes and the uterine luminal epithelium.

Significance of the Findings

  • The findings from this study add to the existing knowledge about equine pregnancy, addressing the events surrounding the disappearance of the capsule, which had not been studied in depth before.
  • Suggesting a new role for ECM-related mRNAs in maintaining the structure and the shape of the conceptus, and in maintaining separation from the uterine luminal epithelium, this study provides essential insights that may enhance our understanding of early equine pregnancy processes and promote the development of reproductive management strategies in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Tachibana Y, Sakurai T, Bai H, Shiota K, Nambo Y, Nagaoka K, Imakawa K. (2014). RNA-seq analysis of equine conceptus transcripts during embryo fixation and capsule disappearance. PLoS One, 9(12), e114414. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114414

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 12
Pages: e114414
PII: e114414

Researcher Affiliations

Tachibana, Yurika
  • Laboratory of Theriogenology and Animal Breeding, Veterinary Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657 Japan; Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry and Animal Resource Center, Veterinary Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657 Japan.
Sakurai, Toshihiro
  • Laboratory of Theriogenology and Animal Breeding, Veterinary Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657 Japan.
Bai, Hanako
  • Laboratory of Theriogenology and Animal Breeding, Veterinary Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657 Japan.
Shiota, Kunio
  • Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry and Animal Resource Center, Veterinary Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657 Japan.
Nambo, Yasuo
  • Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Urakawa, 057-0171 Japan.
Nagaoka, Kentaro
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, 183-8509 Japan.
Imakawa, Kazuhiko
  • Laboratory of Theriogenology and Animal Breeding, Veterinary Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657 Japan.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling / veterinary
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
  • Horses / embryology
  • Horses / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pregnancy
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA / veterinary
  • Zygote / chemistry

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Xin L, Xu B, Ma L, Hou Q, Ye M, Meng S, Ding X, Ge W. Proteomics study reveals that the dysregulation of focal adhesion and ribosome contribute to early pregnancy loss. Proteomics Clin Appl 2016 May;10(5):554-63.
    doi: 10.1002/prca.201500136pubmed: 26947931google scholar: lookup
  2. Mei J, Jiang XY, Tian HX, Rong DC, Song JN, Wang L, Chen YS, Wong RCB, Guo CX, Wang LS, Wang LY, Wang PY, Yin JY. Anoikis in cell fate, physiopathology, and therapeutic interventions. MedComm (2020) 2024 Oct;5(10):e718.
    doi: 10.1002/mco2.718pubmed: 39286778google scholar: lookup
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