S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase-like protein 1 (AHCYL1), also known as IP3 receptor- binding protein released with IP3 (IRBIT), is a member of the AHCY-like protein family. AHCYL1 protein regulates IP3-induced Ca2+ release in the cytoplasm of cells and, therefore, is likely to be an important gene regulating various biological processes in the oviduct of chickens. Inmammals, expression is greatest during activation of dendritic cells which are antigen presenting cells associated with immunoregulatory processes in blood and skin. However, the identification of the AHCYL1 gene in chickens has not been investigated. In the present study, we first used RT-PCR to demonstrate AHCYL1 gene expression in adult chicken organs and oviducts of immature chickens treated with DES (diethylstilbesterol, a synthetic estrogen agonist). The results indicated that AHCYL1 mRNA is expressed in chicken reproductive organs (testis, ovary and oviduct). Inaddition, expression of AHCYL1 mRNA increased in response to DES-treated immature oviducts compared to the non-treated control immature oviducts of chickens. Interestingly, AHCYL1 was abundant in the cytoplasm of luminal and glandular epithelia, but not in other cell-types such as stroma and connective tissues, of the chicken oviduct. These results suggest that AHCYL1 is a novel estrogen-stimulated gene associated with development of the chicken oviduct, as well as functions of oviductal glandular and luminal epithelia that may include activation of resident immune cells, such as dendritic cells.

• Wooyoung Jeong(WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Suzie E. Ahn(WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Jinyoung Kim(WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Fuller W. Bazer(WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics and Department of Animal Science Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA)
• Jae Yong Han(WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Gwonhwa Song(WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)