Characterisation of a signal transduction pathway in the early embryo

早期胚胎信号转导途径的表征

• 批准号: nhmrc : 302165
• 负责人: Prof Christopher O'Neill
• 金额: $ 13.9万
• 依托单位国家: 澳大利亚
• 项目类别: NHMRC Project Grants
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 澳大利亚
• 起止时间: 2004-01-01 至 2006-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://researchdata.edu.au/characterisation-signal-transduction-early-embryo/96169
• 关键词: Characterisation; signal; transduction; pathway; early

The creation of embryos in the lab is important in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and potentially in cell therapies using embryonic stem cells. Yet, the development of the early embryo is not well understood. Creation of embryos in the lab is expensive and much of this cost is related to the relative inefficiency of the technology due to the high mortality of the resulting embryos. Typically, 45 - 80% of embryos produced by ART do not survive the first week. Hormones are essential chemical messengers that regulate the normal functions of the body. Early embryo development is dependent on the action of special hormones that are produced by the embryonic cells themselves. The actions of these hormones are necessary for their normal survival. ART compromises the production and action of several of these hormones. Currently, there is not a detailed picture of how these embryonic hormones act on the embryo to promote their survival. Cells respond to outside hormones by changing the activity of a number intracellular proteins that act as on-off switches. The combinatorial pattern of 'switch' settings is modified by hormones, which in turn can act to change the pattern of gene expression. This project will extend our extensive studies on the nature of action of the well-described embryonic hormone known as PAF. The mechanism by which this hormone acts to signal changes in the pattern of the embryo's gene expression will be investigated. An understanding of how these embryonic hormones work will in the future allow for significant improvements in embryo viability.

在实验室中创造胚胎在辅助生殖技术（ART）中非常重要，并可能在使用胚胎干细胞的细胞疗法中发挥作用。然而，早期胚胎的发育并不清楚。在实验室中创造胚胎是昂贵的，并且由于所产生的胚胎的高死亡率，这种成本的大部分与技术的相对低效有关。通常情况下，ART产生的胚胎中有45 - 80%不能在第一周存活。激素是调节身体正常功能的基本化学信使。早期胚胎发育依赖于胚胎细胞自身产生的特殊激素的作用。这些激素的作用是它们正常生存所必需的。ART损害了其中几种激素的产生和作用。目前，还没有关于这些胚胎激素如何作用于胚胎以促进其存活的详细描述。细胞通过改变一些细胞内蛋白质的活性来响应外部激素，这些蛋白质充当开关。“开关”设置的组合模式被激素改变，激素反过来又可以改变基因表达的模式。这个项目将扩展我们对被称为PAF的胚胎激素的作用性质的广泛研究。将研究这种激素作用于胚胎基因表达模式变化的机制。了解这些胚胎激素如何工作将在未来允许显着改善胚胎活力。