Project description:The present study aims at understanding differential gene-expression patterns in the female mouse brain tissues at different stages of reproductive life cycle Methods: Total RNA from brain tissues of 3, 12 and 40 week old female mice was subjected to cDNA and labelled cRNA synthesis and hybridized on 4X44k array. For the same samples, transcriptome sequencing was done followed by qPCR validation of the common genes. Data was analyzed using Gene spring GX 11.5 with MM10 reference along with GSEA and STRING analysis. We primarily focused on understanding gene expression changes in female mice brain which occur during various reproductive life stages viz. 3, 12, 40 weeks which is akin to adolescent, mature and pre-menopausal states.The genes involved in metabolic activity, neurological activity, inflammation and signalling along with genes involved in reproductive regulation show differential expression. The changes observed provide physiological insights in changes in the female brain associated with development, fertility and progressing age.
Project description:During female reproductive life, the reserve of ovarian follicles is reduced by maturation and atresia until menopause ensues. Foxo3 is required to maintain the ovarian reserve in mice. We asked if overexpression of a constitutively active FOXO3 protein can increase long-lasting ovarian reproductive capacity in mice.
Project description:Mammary gland development and luminal differentiation occur largely postnatally during puberty and pregnancy. We found that pregnancy had the most significant effects on stem cells, inducing a distinct epigenetic state that remained stable through life. Mammary glands were collected from different reproductive stages to purify different epithelium cell types, which were used for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays.
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an evolutionarily conserved large class of small non-coding RNAs that mediate post-transcriptional silencing of genes and influence a broad spectrum of biological processes ranging from embryonic development to organismal death. Our previous study identified the miR-29 family, three paralogous species of miR-29a/b/c, as the most predominantly expressed small RNA in aged mouse brain compared to the neonate one. Mouse brain miR-29 is highly astrocytic. Its expression is quiescent during early brain development, and then steadily increases to a plateau state around reproductive maturity. To explore the functional relevance of miR-29 expression in early life to the neural physiology of the mouse brain from the mechanistic perspective of mammalian species-specific lifespan, we here undertook a gain-of-function approach through exogenous expression of miR-29 in astrocyte from mouse fetus and surveyed the resulting alteration in both the transcriptional and translational levels. DNA microarray analyses retrieved a total of 5,589 genes showing temporal significant expression changes in the miR-29-transfected fetal astrocytes, and classified them into two gene groups: positively or negatively regulated by miR-29. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based quantification of translational products of miR-29-responsive genes identified 18 species of miR-29 target candidates. We performed functional enrichment analyses utilizing bioinformatics resources to characterize the gene sets thus identified, and found their expression trend that favor the processes for facilitating cell differentiation while supporting normal cell proliferation /survival, which is somewhat different from the functional signatures of miR-29 as observed at adult stages, implying a pleiotropic property of miR-29 depending on the developmental context. Our present results strongly suggest that miR-29 in the developing mouse brain serves as the central coordinator to shift the global gene expression toward adult phenotypes, through which ensure the programmed transition in the life course to the post-developmental/reproductive stage which has inherently been set to delimit the mouse life potential.
Project description:Gene expression analysis of hypothalami from female animals at different juvenil developmental reproductive stages. Results provide insight into the role of the hypothalamus in controlling the onset of puberty.
Project description:Histone modification analysis of hypothalami from female animals at different juvenile developmental reproductive stages. Results provide insight into the role of the hypothalamus in controlling the onset of puberty.
Project description:Gene expression analysis of hypothalami from female animals at different juvenile developmental reproductive stages. Results provide insight into the role of the hypothalamus in controlling the onset of puberty.
