Comparative proteomic and regulatory network analyses of the elongating pig conceptus

Abstract

Embryo loss during peri-implantation can approach 20% in swine following artificial insemination or natural mating and coincides with rapid conceptus elongation. The objective of the present study was to establish a comprehensive profile of the abundant proteins of the pig conceptus at the time prior to implantation and identify stage-specific changes during elongation. The abundant proteins of a homogenous population of gestational day-11 ovoid (0.7-1 cm) and gestational day-12 filamentous (15-20 cm) porcine concepti were compared by extracting proteins from three independent conceptus pools and separating the proteins by 2-DE. Proteins in 305 spots were analyzed by MALDI-TOF or additionally by LC-MS/MS and 275 were positively identified representing 174 distinct proteins. The proteins could be classified into the following functional categories: cell proliferation/differentiation, cytoskeleton, metabolism, and stress response. Based on spot density, 35 proteins associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and embryo/maternal signaling, were found to be differentially expressed between ovoid and filamentous concepti. A comparison of the protein expression profile with transcriptomic data from pig concepti of the same developmental stages identified similarities and dissimilarities between protein and mRNA expression profiles. This proteomic study helps to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying the early embryonic development of the pig.

Characterization of the Altered Gene Expression Profile in Early Porcine Embryos Generated from Parthenogenesis and Somatic Cell Chromatin Transfer

“…LGMN (legumain), also known as cysteine protease 1, is involved in protein processing and is highly expressed in the placenta of pig [69]. Legumain has been reported to be expressed in bovine trophoblast and associated with the regulation of trophoblast invasiveness and endometrial remodelling during implantation [70].…”

Interaction of the conceptus and endometrium to establish pregnancy in mammals: role of interleukin 1β

“…The rapid elongation of pig conceptuses on day 12 involves the expression of many conceptus genes (Ross et al 2003a; Blomberg and Zuelke 2004; Degrelle et al 2009; Blomberg et al 2008; le Blomberg et al 2010) and the presentation of adhesion factors on the endometrial LE to allow continuous adhesive attachment of the placenta throughout gestation (Bowen et al 1996; Jaeger et al 2001; Burghardt et al 2002; Johnson et al 2009). A number of endometrial growth factors and cytokines that are possible mediators of attachment and implantation at the conceptus-uterine interface of the mouse and human have been described (Carson et al 2000; Wang and Dey 2006; Banerjee and Fazleabas 2010).…”

Pig proteomics: A review of a species in the crossroad between biomedical and food sciences

“…In this phase, coinciding with conceptus elongation, embryo losses may reach 20% following artificial insemination or natural mating. Degrelle and coworkers [21] have conducted a proteomics study aiming to understand the regulatory network involving the elongation of swine conceptus. In this study the proteins from fetus obtained at gestational days 11 (ovoid) and 12 (filamentous) were separated by 2DE and identified using MALDI-TOF and LC-MS/MS.…”