Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Purpose
stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit regulates the proliferation and survival of germ cells or stem cells; however, little is known about the role of SCF/c-Kit in pre-implantation embryo development.Methods
using exogenous SCF supplementation and c-Kit siRNA injection, we investigated the role and mechanism of SCF/c-Kit in pre-implantation mouse embryos.Results
addition of soluble SCF to the culture medium improved blastocyst formation. c-Kit gene silencing reduced the rate of blastocyst formation and delayed embryonic development. The number of proliferating cells in c-Kit gene-silenced blastocysts decreased, whereas the number of apoptotic cells in blastocysts obtained from both experimental and the control groups was not affected. RT-PCR, immunostaining and western blotting revealed that proliferation-related Akt downstream targets were substantially affected by c-Kit gene silencing.Conclusion
SCF/c-Kit signaling through Akt downstream targets is likely involved in mediating the cleavage and proliferation of blastomeres during mouse pre-implantation embryogenesis.
SUBMITTER: Lim JJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2995437 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Lim Jung Jin JJ Eum Jin Hee JH Lee Jeoung Eun JE Kim Eun Sun ES Chung Hyung Min HM Yoon Tae Ki TK Kim Kye-Seong KS Lee Dong Ryul DR
Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics 20100630 11
<h4>Purpose</h4>stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit regulates the proliferation and survival of germ cells or stem cells; however, little is known about the role of SCF/c-Kit in pre-implantation embryo development.<h4>Methods</h4>using exogenous SCF supplementation and c-Kit siRNA injection, we investigated the role and mechanism of SCF/c-Kit in pre-implantation mouse embryos.<h4>Results</h4>addition of soluble SCF to the culture medium improved blastocyst formation. c-Kit gene silencing reduced the ra ...[more]