Characterization of pig vasa homolog gene and specific expression in germ cell lineage.
The vasa gene is known to be an important factor for germ cell development in both invertebrates and vertebrates. In the present study, we cloned the porcine vasa homolog (Pvh, 2,172 bps) and investigated its expression at mRNA and protein levels. The isolated cDNA had deduced 724 amino acid residues with significant homology to mouse (85%) and human (91%) vasa. In adult tissues, Pvh transcript was restricted to the ovary and testis, and was undetectable in somatic tissues. During preimplantation embryo development, Pvh was transcribed in oocytes and fertilized 2-cell embryos, but not in other preimplantation embryos. In fetal stage, the transcript of Pvh gene was expressed in all fetal stage, except in day 17-18. Immunohistochemical analysis of fetal and adult gonad revealed that the Pvh protein was localized in oocytes and spermatocytes, consistent with mRNA expression. Interestingly, Pvh protein was also observed in proliferating primordial germ cells (PGCs) and freshly isolated PGCs, but not in embryonic germ cells. Our results suggest that Pvh gene can be a useful marker for germ cell development in pigs.
Lee
Gab Sang
GS
Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Hye Soo
HS
Lee
So Hyun
SH
Kang
Min Soo
MS
Kim
Dae Yong
DY
Lee
Chang Kyu
CK
Kang
Sung Keun
SK
Lee
Byeong Chun
BC
Hwang
Woo Suk
WS
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D020365:RNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D017931:DNA Primers; D020365:RNA Helicases