Inhibition of MEK1/2 and GSK3 (2i system) affects blastocyst quality and early differentiation of porcine parthenotes.

ABSTRACT: Inhibition of both MEK1/2 and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3; 2i system) facilitates the maintenance of naïve stemness for embryonic stem cells in various mammalian species. However, the effect of the inhibition of the 2i system on porcine early embryogenesis is unknown. We investigated the effect of the 2i system on early embryo development, expression of pluripotency-related genes, and epigenetic modifications. Inhibition of MEK1/2 (by PD0325901) and/or GSK3 (by CHIR99021) did not alter the developmental potential of porcine parthenogenetic embryos, but improved blastocyst quality, as judged by the blastocyst cell number, diameter, and reduction in the number of apoptotic cells. The expression levels of octamer-binding transcription factor 4 and SOX2, the primary transcription factors

SUBMITTER: Kwon J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6327883 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature