Biomedical subjects

G R MacGregor

Publications and source records attributed to G R MacGregor.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

An extreme bias in the germ line of XY C57BL/6<->XY FVB/N chimaeric mice.

Chimaeric analysis is a powerful method to address questions about the cell-autonomous nature of defects in spermatogenesis. Symplastic spermatids (sys) mice have a recessive mutation that causes male sterility due to an arrest in germ-cell development during spermiogenesis. Chimaeric mice were generated by aggregation of eight-cell embryos from sys (FVB/N genetic background) and wild-type C57BL/6 (B6) mice to determine whether the male germ-cell defect is cell-autonomous. The resulting FVB/N<->B6 chimaeras (<-> denotes fusion of embryos) were mated with FVB/N mice and coat colour of offspring was used to identify transmission of FVB/N or B6 gametes. Regardless of the relative contribution of B6 to somatic tissues of the chimaeras, almost all (282 of 284; 99.3%) offspring of B6 XY<->XY FVB/N (+/+ or sys/+) males (n = 9) received a FVB/N-derived paternal gamete. After mating of female B6<->FVB/N chimaeras, 51 of 73 (69.9%) offspring received an FVB-derived maternal gamete. Southern blot analysis of different tissues from chimaeric males indicated that, despite the presence of balanced chimaerism in somatic tissues, the germ line in B6 XY<->XY FVB/N mice was essentially FVB/N in composition. Thus there is a strong selective advantage for FVB/N male germ cells over B6 male germ cells in B6<->FVB/N-aggregation chimaeras at some stage during development of the male germ line. Each of three male chimaeras that were either B6 XY<->XY FVB/N (sys/sys) or B6 XX<->XY FVB/N (sys/sys) in composition was sterile, and testis histology was essentially sysmutant. This finding indicates that the function of the gene(s) affected in the sys mutation may be required in the testis, although whether expression is required in germ cells, somatic cells or both remains unknown. The extreme bias in transmission of male gametes has implications for experimental design in studies that use chimaeric analysis to address questions regarding the cell-autonomous nature of germ-cell defects in mice.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

BCLW mediates survival of postmitotic Sertoli cells by regulating BAX activity.

Male mice deficient in BCLW, a death-protecting member of the BCL2 family, are sterile due to an arrest in spermatogenesis that is associated with a gradual loss of germ cells and Sertoli cells from the testis. As Bclw is expressed in both Sertoli cells and diploid male germ cells, it has been unclear which of these cell types requires BCLW in a cell-autonomous manner for survival. To determine whether death of Sertoli cells in Bclw mutants is influenced by the protracted loss of germ cells, we examined testes from Bclw/c-kit double mutant mice, which lack germ cells from birth. Loss of BCLW-deficient Sertoli cells occurs in the absence of germ cells, indicating that germ cell death is not required to mediate loss of Sertoli cells in BCLW-deficient mice. This suggests that Sertoli cells require BCLW in a cell-intrinsic manner for long-term survival. The loss of Sertoli cells in Bclw mutants commences shortly after Sertoli cells have become postmitotic. In situ hybridization analysis indicates that Bclw is expressed in Sertoli cells both before and after exit from mitosis. Therefore, Bclw-independent pathways promote the survival of undifferentiated, mitotic Sertoli cells. We show that BAX and BAK, two closely related death-promoting members of the BCL2 family, are expressed in Sertoli cells. To determine whether either BAX or BAK activity is required for Sertoli cell death in Bclw mutant animals, we analyzed survival of Sertoli cells in Bclw/Bax and Bclw/Bak double homozygous mutant mice. While mutation of Bak had no effect, ablation of Bax suppressed the loss of Sertoli cells in Bclw mutants. Thus, BCLW mediates survival of postmitotic Sertoli cells in the mouse by suppressing death-promoting activity of BAX.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

BH3-only proteins that bind pro-survival Bcl-2 family members fail to induce apoptosis in the absence of Bax and Bak.

The BH3-only proteins Bim and Bad bind to the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins and induce apoptosis in wild-type cells and cells from either bax(-/-) or bak(-/-) animals. In contrast, constitutively active forms of Bim and Bad failed to induce apoptosis in bax(-/-)bak(-/-) cells. Expression of Bax restored susceptibility of the cells to Bim and Bad. In addition, Bax but not Bim or Bad sensitized the bax(-/-)bak(-/-) cells to a wide variety of cell death stimuli including UV irradiation, chemotherapeutic agents, and ER stress. These results suggest that neither activation of BH3-only proteins nor suppression of pro-survival Bcl-2 proteins is sufficient to kill cells in the absence of both Bax and Bak. Furthermore, whereas mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) expressing only Bax or Bak displayed resistance to transformation, bax(-/-)bak(-/-) MEF were nearly as prone to oncogenic transformation as p53(-/-) MEF. Thus, the function of either Bax or Bak appears required to initiate most forms of apoptosis and to suppress oncogenic transformation.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Proapoptotic BAX and BAK: a requisite gateway to mitochondrial dysfunction and death.

Multiple death signals influence mitochondria during apoptosis, yet the critical initiating event for mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo has been unclear. tBID, the caspase-activated form of a "BH3-domain-only" BCL-2 family member, triggers the homooligomerization of "multidomain" conserved proapoptotic family members BAK or BAX, resulting in the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. We find that cells lacking both Bax and Bak, but not cells lacking only one of these components, are completely resistant to tBID-induced cytochrome c release and apoptosis. Moreover, doubly deficient cells are resistant to multiple apoptotic stimuli that act through disruption of mitochondrial function: staurosporine, ultraviolet radiation, growth factor deprivation, etoposide, and the endoplasmic reticulum stress stimuli thapsigargin and tunicamycin. Thus, activation of a "multidomain" proapoptotic member, BAX or BAK, appears to be an essential gateway to mitochondrial dysfunction required for cell death in response to diverse stimuli.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Spermatogenesis in Bclw-deficient mice.

Bclw is a death-protecting member of the Bcl2 family of apoptosis-regulating proteins. Mice that are mutant for Bclw display progressive and nearly complete testicular degeneration. We performed a morphometric evaluation of testicular histopathology in Bclw-deficient male mice between 9 days postnatal (p9) through 1 yr of age. Germ cell loss began by p22, with only few germ cells remaining beyond 7 mo of age. A complete block to elongated spermatid development at step 13 occurred during the first wave of spermatogenesis, whereas other types of germ cells were lost sporadically. Depletion of Sertoli cells commenced between p20 and p23 and continued until 1 yr of age, when few, if any, Sertoli cells remained. Mitochondria appeared to be swollen and the cytoplasm dense by electron microscopy, but degenerating Bclw-deficient Sertoli cells failed to display classical features of apoptosis, such as chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. Macrophages entered seminiferous tubules and formed foreign-body giant cells that engulfed and phagocytosed the degenerated Sertoli cells. Leydig cell hyperplasia was evident between 3 and 5 mo of age. However, beginning at 7 mo of age, Leydig cells underwent apoptosis, with dead cells being phagocytosed by macrophages. The aforementioned cell losses culminated in a testis-containing vasculature, intertubular phagocytic cells, and peritubular cell "ghosts." An RNA in situ hybridization study indicates that Bclw is expressed in Sertoli cells in the adult mouse testis. Consequently, the diploid germ cell death may be an indirect effect of defective Sertoli cell function. Western analysis was used to confirm that Bclw is not expressed in spermatids; thus, loss of this cell type most likely results from defective Sertoli cell function. Because Bclw does not appear to be expressed in Leydig cells, loss of Leydig cells in Bclw-deficient mice may result from depletion of Sertoli cells. Bclw-deficient mice serve as a unique model to study homeostasis of cell populations in the testis.

Alleles↗

PubMed2000

Maternal germ-line transmission of mutant mtDNAs from embryonic stem cell-derived chimeric mice.

We report a method for introducing mtDNA mutations into the mouse female germ line by means of embryonic stem (ES) cell cybrids. Mitochondria were recovered from the brain of a NZB mouse by fusion of synaptosomes to a mtDNA-deficient (rho degrees ) cell line. These cybrids were enucleated and the cytoplasts were electrofused to rhodamine-6G (R-6G)-treated female ES cells. The resulting ES cell cybrids permitted transmission of the NZB mtDNAs through the mouse maternal lineage for three generations. Similarly, mtDNAs from a partially respiratory-deficient chloramphenicol-resistant (CAP(R)) cell line also were introduced into female chimeric mice and were transmitted to the progeny. CAP(R) chimeric mice developed a variety of ocular abnormalities, including congenital cataracts, decreased retinal function, and hamaratomas of the optic nerve. The germ-line transmission of the CAP(R) mutation resulted in animals with growth retardation, myopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and perinatal or in utero lethality. Skeletal and heart muscle mitochondria of the CAP(R) mice were enlarged and atypical with inclusions. This mouse ES cell-cybrid approach now provides the means to generate a wide variety of mouse models of mitochondrial disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Mitochondrial oxidative stress in mice lacking the glutathione peroxidase-1 gene.

Oxidative stress resulting from mitochondrially derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been hypothesized to damage mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and to be a factor in aging and degenerative disease. If this hypothesis is correct, then genetically inactivating potential mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase-1 (Gpx1; EC 1.11.1.9) should increase mitochondrial ROS production and decrease OXPHOS function. To determine the expression pattern of Gpx1, isoform-specific antibodies were generated and mutant mice were prepared in which the Gpx1 protein was substituted for by beta-galactosidase, driven by the Gpx1 promoter. These experiments revealed that Gpx1 is highly expressed in both the mitochondria and the cytosol of the liver and kidney, but poorly expressed in heart and muscle. To determine the physiological importance of Gpx1, mice lacking Gpx1 were generated by targeted mutagenesis in mouse ES cells. Homozygous mutant Gpx1(tm1Mgr) mice have 20% less body weight than normal animals and increased levels of lipid peroxides in the liver. Moreover, the liver mitochondria were found to release markedly increased hydrogen peroxide, a Gpx1 substrate, and have decreased mitochondrial respiratory control ratio and power output index. Hence, genetic inactivation of Gpx1 resulted in growth retardation, presumably due in part to reduced mitochondrial energy production as a product of increased oxidative stress.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

The combined functions of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members bak and bax are essential for normal development of multiple tissues.

Proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members have been proposed to play a central role in regulating apoptosis. However, mice lacking bax display limited phenotypic abnormalities. As presented here, bak(-/-) mice were found to be developmentally normal and reproductively fit and failed to develop any age-related disorders. However, when Bak-deficient mice were mated to Bax-deficient mice to create mice lacking both genes, the majority of bax(-/-)bak(-/-) animals died perinatally with fewer than 10% surviving into adulthood. bax(-/-)bak(-/-) mice displayed multiple developmental defects, including persistence of interdigital webs, an imperforate vaginal canal, and accumulation of excess cells within both the central nervous and hematopoietic systems. Thus, Bax and Bak have overlapping roles in the regulation of apoptosis during mammalian development and tissue homeostasis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMed1999

Increased affiliative response to vasopressin in mice expressing the V1a receptor from a monogamous vole.

Arginine vasopressin influences male reproductive and social behaviours in several vertebrate taxa through its actions at the V1a receptor in the brain. The neuroanatomical distribution of vasopressin V1a receptors varies greatly between species with different forms of social organization. Here we show that centrally administered arginine vasopressin increases affiliative behaviour in the highly social, monogamous prairie vole, but not in the relatively asocial, promiscuous montane vole. Molecular analyses indicate that gene duplication and/or changes in promoter structure of the prairie vole receptor gene may contribute to the species differences in vasopressin-receptor expression. We further show that mice that are transgenic for the prairie vole receptor gene have a neuroanatomical pattern of receptor binding that is similar to that of the prairie vole, and exhibit increased affiliative behaviour after injection with arginine vasopressin. These data indicate that the pattern of V1a-receptor gene expression in the brain may be functionally associated with species-typical social behaviours in male vertebrates.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Transfer of chloramphenicol-resistant mitochondrial DNA into the chimeric mouse.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) chloramphenicol (CAP)-resistance (CAPR) mutation has been introduced into the tissues of adult mice via female embryonic stem (ES) cells. The endogenous CAP-sensitive (CAPS) mtDNAs were eliminated by treatment of the ES cells with the lipophilic dye Rhodamine-6-G (R-6-G). The ES cells were then fused to enucleated cell cytoplasts prepared from the CAPR mouse cell line 501-1. This procedure converted the ES cell mtDNA from 100% wild-type to 100% mutant. The CAPR ES cells were then injected into blastocysts and viable chimeric mice were isolated. Molecular testing for the CAPR mutant mtDNAs revealed that the percentage of mutant mtDNAs varied from zero to approximately 50% in the tissues analyzed. The highest percentage of mutant mtDNA was found in the kidney in three of the chimeric animals tested. These data suggest that, with improved efficiency, it may be possible to transmit exogenous mtDNA mutants through the mouse germ-line.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Alkaline phosphatase knock-out mice recapitulate the metabolic and skeletal defects of infantile hypophosphatasia.

Hypophosphatasia is an inborn error of metabolism characterized by deficient activity of the tissue-nonspecific isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) and skeletal disease due to impaired mineralization of cartilage and bone matrix. We investigated two independently generated TNSALP gene knock-out mouse strains as potential models for hypophosphatasia. Homozygous mice (-/-) had < 1% of wild-type plasma TNSALP activity; heterozygotes had the predicted mean of approximately 50%. Phosphoethanolamine, inorganic pyrophosphate, and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate are putative natural substrates for TNSALP and all were increased endogenously in the knock-out mice. Skeletal disease first appeared radiographically at approximately 10 days of age and featured worsening rachitic changes, osteopenia, and fracture. Histologic studies revealed developmental arrest of chondrocyte differentiation in epiphyses and in growth plates with diminished or absent hypertrophic zones. Progressive osteoidosis from defective skeletal matrix mineralization was noted but not associated with features of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Plasma and urine calcium and phosphate levels were unremarkable. Our findings demonstrate that TNSALP knock-out mice are a good model for the infantile form of hypophosphatasia and provide compelling evidence for an important role for TNSALP in postnatal development and mineralization of the murine skeleton.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1998

Testicular degeneration in Bclw-deficient mice.

To identify genes required for mammalian spermatogenesis, we screened lines of mutant mice created using a retroviral gene-trap system for male infertility. Homozygous ROSA41 male mice exhibit sterility associated with progressive testicular degeneration. Germ-cell defects are first observed at 19 days post-natal (p19). Spermatogenesis is blocked during late spermiogenesis in young adults. Gradual depletion of all stages of germ cells results in a Sertoli-cell-only phenotype by approximately six months of age. Subsequently, almost all Sertoli cells are lost from the seminiferous tubules and the Leydig cell population is reduced. Molecular analysis indicates that the gene mutated is Bclw, a death-protecting member of the Bcl2 family. The mutant allele of Bclw in ROSA41 does not produce a Bclw polypeptide. Expression of Bclw in the testis appears to be restricted to elongating spermatids and Sertoli cells. Potential roles for Bclw in testicular function are discussed.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1998

A systematic molecular genetic approach to study mammalian germline development.

It is difficult to study gene expression in mammalian embryonic germ cells as PGCs constitute only a minor proportion of the mouse embryo. We have overcome this problem by using a novel combination of established molecular and transgenic approaches. A line of mice has been generated in which the cells of the germ lineage express the beta-galactosidase reporter gene during embryogenesis. Using this line, germ cells have been purified to near homogeneity from embryos at discrete stages during germline development by use of a stain for beta-gal activity and a fluorescence activated cell sorter. Subsequently, cDNA libraries have been constructed from each germ cell population using a modified lone-linker PCR strategy. These combined cDNA libraries represent genes expressed in PGCs during mammalian germline development. To facilitate a molecular genetic approach to studying mammalian germline development, these cDNA libraries will be pooled to form an arrayed, addressed reference embryonic germ cell cDNA library. In parallel with large-scale cDNA sequencing efforts; genes that are differentially expressed in germ cells will be identified by screening the reference library with probes generated by subtractive hybridization. Complementary DNAs identified using this approach will be analyzed by sequencing, database comparison, genomic mapping and in situ hybridization to ascertain the potential functional importance of each gene to germline development. In addition to providing a wealth of novel information regarding patterns of gene expression during mammalian germline development, these results will form the basis for future experiments to determine the function of these genes in this process.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

A mouse model for mitochondrial myopathy and cardiomyopathy resulting from a deficiency in the heart/muscle isoform of the adenine nucleotide translocator.

In an attempt to create an animal model of tissue-specific mitochondrial disease, we generated 'knockout' mice deficient in the heart/muscle isoform of the adenine nucleotide translocator (Ant1). Histological and ultrastructural examination of skeletal muscle from Ant1 null mutants revealed ragged-red muscle fibers and a dramatic proliferation of mitochondria, while examination of the heart revealed cardiac hypertrophy with mitochondrial proliferation. Mitochondria isolated from mutant skeletal muscle exhibited a severe defect in coupled respiration. Ant1 mutant adults also had a resting serum lactate level fourfold higher than that of controls, indicative of metabolic acidosis. Significantly, mutant adults manifested severe exercise intolerance. Therefore, Ant1 mutant mice have the biochemical, histological, metabolic and physiological characteristics of mitochondrial myopathy and cardiomyopathy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Mice lacking tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase die from seizures due to defective metabolism of vitamin B-6.

In humans, deficiency of the tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) gene is associated with defective skeletal mineralization. In contrast, mice lacking TNAP generated by homologous recombination using embryonic stem (ES) cells have normal skeletal development. However, at approximately two weeks after birth, homozygous mutant mice develop seizures which are subsequently fatal. Defective metabolism of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), characterized by elevated serum PLP levels, results in reduced levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. The mutant seizure phenotype can be rescued by the administration of pyridoxal and a semi-solid diet. Rescued animals subsequently develop defective dentition. This study reveals essential physiological functions of TNAP in the mouse.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1995

Tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase is expressed in both embryonic and extraembryonic lineages during mouse embryogenesis but is not required for migration of primordial germ cells.

Mouse primordial germ cells express tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) during development, but the widespread expression of another alkaline phosphatase gene in the early embryo limits the potential use of this marker to trace germ cells. To attempt to identify germ cells at all stages during embryonic development and to understand the role of TNAP in germ cell ontogeny, mice carrying a beta geo (lacZ/neor) disrupted allele of the TNAP gene were generated by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Using beta-galactosidase activity, the embryonic pattern of TNAP expression was examined from the blastocyst stage to embryonic day 14. Results indicate that primordial germ cell progenitors do not express TNAP prior to gastrulation although at earlier times TNAP expression is found in an extraembryonic lineage destined to form the chorion. In homozygous mutants, primordial germ cells appear unaffected indicating that TNAP is not essential for their development or migration.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1994

Deficiency in fertilization by morphologically abnormal sperm produced by azh mutant mice.

Male mice homozygous for the azh mutation produce spermatozoa with abnormal head shapes and have significantly reduced fecundity, to between 5% and 10% that of wild-type or heterozygous mice. Several possible causes of this infertility were investigated. No gross endocrine disorders in azh/azh male mice were observed, and they exhibited apparently normal mating behavior. In addition, their sperm were motile, were capable of hyperactivated motility, and did not show premature acrosome reactions. However, quantitative analysis revealed slight but significant reductions in several motility parameters. Analysis of embryos following mating of azh/azh males with superovulated females indicated a reduction in the number of fertilized eggs compared to control matings. In vitro, spermatozoa from azh/azh mice failed to fertilize cumulus-intact/zona-intact and cumulus-free/zona-intact ova, although they successfully fertilized zona-free ova. These results indicate that the primary defect in fertility of azh/azh male mice is a result of sperm quality, likely, in sperm morphology, and is manifest at the level of interaction with the zona pellucida.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Targeting of hexokinase 1 to liver and hepatoma mitochondria.

The proportion of hexokinase (HK; EC 2.7.1.1) isozyme 1 (HK1) that is bound to the outer mitochondrial membrane is tissue specific and developmentally regulated. HK activity is known to be markedly elevated in many cancer cells and a significant fraction is mitochondrial bound. This study examined the role of the 15-amino acid N-terminal domain of HK1 in binding to liver and hepatoma mitochondria. A chimeric reporter construct, pCMVHKCAT, encoding this HK1 domain coupled to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene was electroporated into mouse Hepa 1-6 hepatoma cells. After digitonin treatment, cell fractions were assayed for HK, lactate dehydrogenase, and CAT activities. Digitonin (75 micrograms/mg of protein) caused cytosolic leak but 70% of HK remained with the pellet. HKCAT, like HK, remained predominantly with the pellet; CAT form the control, pCMVCAT, remained mostly unbound. Binding of membrane-free cell extracts to rat liver mitochondria in vitro showed 91% of the HKCAT bound, whereas only 12% of CAT bound. Specificity of HKCAT binding to mitochondria was demonstrated by competition of HK1 for HKCAT binding sites on rat liver mitochondria as well as by blockage of HKCAT binding by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, which covalently binds to porin and blocks HK1 binding. Deletional mutant constructs of HKCAT showed reduced binding with increasing deletion size. In summary, these studies demonstrate that the 15-amino acid N-terminal domain of HK1 is necessary and sufficient to confer mitochondrial binding properties to CAT and that there is specificity for this binding to the mitochondria.

Animals↗