Influence of cell contractility on the formation of apical domains and lineage segregation in the bovine embryo

• Grant number: 18/08285-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2018
• End date: May 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Demarchi Goissis
• Grantee: Samuel Augusto Aguiar dos Anjos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/09576-3 - Studies on cell differentiation mechanisms during early bovine embryo development, AP.JP

Abstract

The first cell differentiation event in mammalian development occurs before embryo implantation. It comprises the segregation between inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE). It was shown in mice that cell contractility and apical domain formation influence the ICM/TE segregation. However, biological mechanisms involved in this process are not well understood in the bovine species. This project aim to test the hypothesis that inhibition of cell contractility blocks the formation of the apical domain, consequently impairing trophectoderm formation in bovine embryos. We intend to treat in vitro produced embryos with blebbistatin and check for the presence of proteins related to the apical domain or ICM/TE. In order to achieve this goal, embryos treated with blebbistatin or its inactive enantiomer will be fixed and subitted to immunofluorescence for detection of PARD6b, aPKC, EZRIN, SOX2, CDX2 and YAP. We hope to determine the importance of cell contractility and apical domain formation to the ICM/TE segregation process in bovine.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DOS ANJOS, S. A. A.; DA COSTA, C. P.; ASSUMPCAO, M. E. O. A.; VISINTIN, J. A.; GOISSIS, M. D.. Inhibition of apical domain formation does not block blastocyst development in bovine embryos. REPRODUCTION FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT, JUN 2021. (17/25574-0, 17/09576-3, 18/08285-8, 18/18924-8)

DOS ANJOS, S. A. A.; DA COSTA, C. P.; ASSUMPCAO, M. E. O. A.; VISINTIN, J. A.; GOISSIS, M. D.. Inhibition of apical domain formation does not block blastocyst development in bovine embryos. REPRODUCTION FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT, v. 33, n. 10, p. 665-673, AUG 11 2021. (17/09576-3, 18/08285-8, 18/18924-8, 17/25574-0)