237 EXPRESSION PATTERNS OF DEUBIQUITYLATING FACTORS (Usp9x AND Af-6) IN GERM CELLS OF WILD TYPE AND TRANSGENIC PIGS
M.-Y. Oh A , M.-R. Shim A B , Y.-M. Cho A , K.-Y. Kim A , H.-C. Lee A , B.-C. Yang A , H.-K. Chung A , C.-K. Park B , J.-K. Park A and H.-J. Chung AA National Institute of Animal Science, Suwon, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea;
B Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Kangwon, Republic of Korea
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 24(1) 231-231 https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv24n1Ab237
Published: 6 December 2011
Abstract
The ubiquitin (ub)-mediated degradation of certain regulatory proteins plays critical roles in various functions, including cell cycle, signal transduction, transcription regulation and endocytosis. Usp9x is stage dependently expressed in the germ cells during mouse gametogenesis. Af-6, a cell junction protein, has been identified as a substrate of Usp9x, indicating a possible association between Usp9x and Af-6 in spermatogenesis and oogenesis. In this study, we examined the expression patterns of Usp9x and Af-6 and their intracellular localization in transgenic pig testes and ovary. In both Sertoli and granulosa cells, Af-6 was continuously expressed throughout postnatal and adult stages. Both Af-6 and Usp9x were enriched at the sites of Sertoli-spermatid junctions, especially at stage IV. In granulosa cells, Usp9x was strongly expressed in primary follicles, but its expression rapidly decreased after the late-secondary follicle stage. On the other hand, the expression of both Usp9x and Af-6 was weak in transgenic pigs, with low expression in the Sertoli cells and relatively stronger expression in Graafian follicles. This study suggests that Usp9x and Af-6 were deubiquitylated in Sertoli and follicle cells in wild type and transgenic pigs.
This study was carried out with the support of Agenda Program (Project No. PJ006702), RDA, Republic of Korea.
