title: Localization and quantitative analysis of Cx43 in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation.
abstract: Many studies of the main gap junction protein, Cx43, have been conducted in porcine oocyte research, but they have been limited to investigations of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). In this study, we verified Cx43 not in COCs, but in porcine oocytes during maturation, and conducted a quantitative time course analysis. The location and dynamics of Cx43 were examined by immunocytochemistry and western blotting, respectively. COCs were cultured in NCSU23 medium and processed for immunocytochemistry and western blotting at 0, 14, 28, and 42 h after denuding. A Cx43 signal was detected on oolemmas, transzonal projections and the surface of zona pellucidae. Western blotting showed that Cx43 band density increased from 0 to 14 h, and gradually decreased thereafter. Our results clarified that Cx43 is localized in the ooplasmic membrane through zona pellucidae and its level changes over time during culture in porcine oocytes.
authors.affiliation: Animal Biotechnology Division,National Institute of Animal Science,RDA,Wanju,565-851Korea.
authors.forename: Seunghoon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction,Graduate School of Agricultural Science,Tohoku University,1-1 Tsutsumidori-Amamiyamachi,Aoba-ku,Sendai 981-8555,Japan.
authors.forename: Yuuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hiradate
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction,Graduate School of Agricultural Science,Tohoku University,1-1 Tsutsumidori-Amamiyamachi,Aoba-ku,Sendai 981-8555,Japan.
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hoshino
authors.affiliation: Animal Biotechnology Division,National Institute of Animal Science,RDA,Wanju,565-851Korea.
authors.forename: Yeoung-Gyu
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction,Graduate School of Agricultural Science,Tohoku University,Aoba-ku,Sendai 981-8555,Japan.
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanemura
authors.affiliation: National Livestock Breeding,Fukushima,Japan.
authors.forename: Eimei
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism*; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43
keywords: Connexin43; Localization; Porcine oocyte; Quantitative analysis