Effects of downregulating oct-4 transcript by RNA interference on early development of porcine embryos.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the POU family transcription factor, Oct-4, in the early development of porcine embryos. We attempted Oct-4 downregulation of porcine early embryos by RNA interference, and evaluated Oct-4 suppression of developmental competencies and gene transcripts in porcine embryos. Injection of specific siRNA resulted in a distinct decrease in Oct-4 mRNA and protein expression in porcine embryos until at least the morula stage. Although the porcine embryos injected with Oct-4 siRNA were able to develop to the morula stage, these embryos failed to form blastocysts. Gene transcripts of caudal-like transcription factor (Cdx2) and fibroblast growth factor 4 (Fgf4), which were involved in segregation of the trophectderm and functionalization of th

SUBMITTER: Sakurai N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3944357 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature