From a systematic search of the UniGene and dbEST databanks, using human beta 4-galactosyltransferase (beta 4GalT-I), which is recognized to function in lactose biosynthesis, as the query sequence, we have identified five additional gene family members denoted as beta 4GalT-II, -III, -IV, -V, and -VI. Complementary DNA clones containing the complete coding regions for each of the five human homologs were obtained or generated by a PCR-based strategy (RACE) and sequenced. Relative to beta 4GalT-I, the percent sequence identity at the amino acid level between the individual family members, ranges from 33% (beta 4GalT-VI) to 55% (beta 4GalT-II). The highest sequence identity between any of the homologs is between beta 4GalT-V and beta 4GalT-VI (68%). beta 4GalT-II is the ortholog of the chicken beta 4GalT-II gene, which has been demonstrated to encode an alpha-lactalbumin responsive beta 4-galactosyltransferase (Shaper et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272, 31389-31399, 1997). As established by Northern analysis, beta 4GalT-II and -IV show the most restricted pattern of tissue expression. High steady state levels of beta 4GalT-II mRNA are seen only in fetal brain and adult heart, muscle, and pancreas; relatively high levels of beta 4GalT-VI mRNA are seen only in adult brain. When the corresponding mouse EST clone for each of the beta 4GalT family members was used as the hybridization probe for Northern analysis of murine mammary tissue, transcription of only the beta 4GalT-I gene could be detected in the lactating mammary gland. These observations support the conclusion that among the six known beta 4GalT family members in the mammalian genome, that have been generated through multiple gene duplication events of an ancestral gene(s), only the beta 4GalT-I ancestral lineage was recruited for lactose biosynthesis during the evolution of mammals.

27 28The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Shh (Sonic Hedgehog) 29 protein on caprine oocyte maturation, early embryo development, and 30 developmental competence after embryo transfer of vitrified-thawed in 31 vitro-produced embryos. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) derived from abattoir 32 were randomly allocated to the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium supplemented with 33 0 (Control), 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 µg·mL −1 recombinant mouse Shh protein. After 34 IVM, COCs were fertilized with frozen-thawed semen and the presumptive zygotes 35 were cultured on goat oviduct epithelial monolayers in M199 medium for 9 days. Our 36 results showed that supplementation of Shh (0.25 or 0.5 µg·mL Introduction 58 59Influenced by macrobiotics and traditional Chinese medicine, goat milk and 60 meat consumption has been popular in Taiwan. Compared to the exotic breeds, 61Taiwan native goats have much better diseases-and coarse diets-resistant despite 62 of their low productivity. In response to the ever-increasing demand, a large number 63 of Nubian goats were imported to cross-breed with Taiwan native goats during the 64 1980s [1,2]. This is one of the main reasons for the decreased population of the pure 65Taiwan native goats, which may soon become endangered. Therefore, reproductive 66 technologies could be an important tool for preserving genetic diversity and rescuing 67 this caprine breeds in Taiwan. 68Generation of high quality goat embryos is an essential step towards further 69 development and application of in vitro-produced embryos [3,4]. Previous studies 70 have demonstrated that the growth of preimplantation embryos can be enhanced by 71 supplementation of cytokines and/or growth factors in the culture medium [5]. 72 Hedgehog (Hh) protein, which attracts considerable attention over the past few 73 years, is a paracrine factor that enhances embryonic development [6]. In vertebrates, so that no downstream signaling occurs [7,8]; whereas in the presence of Hh, the 79 suppression of Smo is lifted, leading to the activation of intracellular transcription 80 effectors Gli1, Gli2 and Gli3 in vertebrates [9]. 81In the mouse, Ihh and Dhh are expressed in the granulosa cells of preantral and 82 antral follicles, with the receptor Ptc and the signal transducer Smo expressed in 83 thecal cells. Previous studies also suggested that paracrine signaling of Hh exist 84 between granulosa and theca cells [10,11]. Similarly, Russell et al. [9] reported that 85Hh ligands, including Ihh, Dhh and Shh, are expressed in both immature and adult 86 mouse ovaries, where the expression of Ptc (Ptc1, Ptc2) and Smo are found in all 87 ovarian tissues. Therefore, the Hh signaling pathway is most likely to be involved in 88 granulosa cell proliferation and oocyte maturation. Spicer et al. [12] Ptch1 mRNA in theca cells may also suggest a potential paracrine role during 97 bovine folliculogenesis. Nguyen et al. [13,14,15] have also reported that the Shh 98 signaling pathway is active or at least partially active in ...

Introduction: In Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG), factors other than elevated Intraocular Pressure (IOP) are likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of optic neuropathy. The potential similarities between Alzheimer’s disease and NTG in cellular apoptosis leading to neuro-degeneration have been shown in recent studies. HSPA5 (Heat Shock Protein family A member 5) promoter polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with a risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The purpose of our study was to investigate the role of HSPA5 promoter polymorphisms in NTG patients. Methods: A total of 222 patients with NTG, along with 236 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was amplified through a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and identified for the polymorphic HSPA5 (-415 and -370) by Xmn1 and BstY1 restriction digestion, respectively. PCR fragments with potential polymorphic HSPA5 (-180) were subjected to sequence-analyses by a Hex-labeled primer. Genotypes for both the NTG patients and control groups were compared for statistically significant differences. Results: Polymorphisms (-415) G/A and (-180) del/G were completely linked in our population. The genotype and allele frequency distribution at the -415 G/A and -180 del/G sites showed a significant difference between the NTG cases and controls. The genotype frequency of HSPA5 (-415) AA / (-180) GG and the allele frequency of HSPA5 (-415) A / (-180) G were significantly lower (p=0.04 and p= 0.01, respectively) in the NTG patients when compared with those in the control group. There was no significant difference in genotype or allele frequency distribution of the HSPA5 (-370) C/T between the NTG and control groups. There was a reduced risk of NTG associated with the carriers for the HSPA5 (-415) A / (-180 ) G allele compared with that in the control population (p=0.01). Conclusion: HSPA5 (-415) A and (-180) G allele polymorphisms may be protective factors in the development of NTG.