Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in pigs has been used as a very important tool to produce transgenic for the pharmaceutical protein, xenotransplantation, and disease model and basic research of cloned animals. However, the production efficiency of SCNT embryos is very low in pigs and miniature pigs. The type of donor cell is an important factor influencing the production efficiency of these cloned pigs. Here, we investigated the developmental efficiency of SCNT embryos to blastocysts and full term development using fetal fibroblasts (FF) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to identify a suitable cell type as donor cell. We isolated each MSCs and FF from the femoral region and fetus. Cultured donor cell was injected into matured embryos for cloning. After that, we transferred cloned embryos into surrogate mothers. In term of in vitro development, the SCNT embryos that used MSCs had significantly higher in cleavage rates than those of FF (81.5% vs. 72%) (p<0.05), but the blastocyst formation rates and apoptotic cell ratio was similar (15.1%, 6.18% vs. 20.8%, 9.32%). After embryo transferred to surrogates, nine and nineteen clone piglets were obtained from the MSCs and FF group, respectively, without significant differences in pregnancy and birth rate (50%, 40% vs. 52.3%, 45.4%) (p>0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the corpus hemorrhagicum numbers of ovary, according to pregnancy, abortion, and delivery of surrogate mothers between MSCs and FF groups. Therefore, the MSCs and FF are useful donor cells for production of clone piglets through SCNT, and can be used as important basic data for improving the efficiency of production of transgenic clone pigs in the future.

In most mammals, metaphase II (MII) oocytes having high maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity have been considered as good oocytes and then used for assisted reproductive technologies including somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Caffeine increases MPF activity in mammalian oocytes by inhibiting p34cdc2 phosphorylation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine treatment during in Vitro maturation (IVM) on oocyte maturation and embryonic development after SCNT in pigs. To this end, morphologically good (MGCOCs) and poor oocytes (MPCOCs) based on the thickness of cumulus cell layer were untreated or treated with 2.5 mM caffeine during 22-42, 34-42, or 38-42 h of IVM according to the experimental design. Caffeine treatment for 20 h during 22-42 h of IVM significantly inhibited nuclear maturation compared to no treatment. Blastocyst formation of SCNT embryos was not influenced by the caffeine treatment during 38-42 h of IVM in MGCOCs (41.1-42.1%) but was significantly improved in MPCOCs compared to no treatment (43.4 vs. 30.1%, P<0.05). No significant effects of caffeine treatment was observed in embryo cleavage (78.7-88.0%) and mean cell number in blastocyst (38.7-43.5 cells). The MPF activity of MII oocytes in terms of p34cdc2 kinase activity was not influenced by the caffeine treatment in MGCOCs (160.4 vs. 194.3 pg/ml) but significantly increased in MPCOCs (133.9 vs. 204.8 pg/ml). Our results demonstrate that caffeine treatment during 38-42 h of IVM improves developmental competence of SCNT embryos derived from MPCOCs by influencing cytoplasmic maturation including increased MPF activity in IVM oocytes in pigs.

돼지 난자의 체외배양 과정에서 배양액의 삼투압의 차이 및 glycine과 alanine 단독 또는 병행 첨 가가 단위발생 및 체세포 핵이식 난자의 배 발육에 미치는 영향을 검토하였다. 난자 의 체외성숙 에는 10% 돼지 난포액, cysteine, pyruvate, epidermal growth factor, kanamycin, insulin이 첨가된 TCM-199을 이용하였다. 체외성숙 42∼44시간 후 제1극체가 방출된 난자만을 선별하여 단위발생 및 체세포 핵이식 난자를 생산한 후 modified porcine zygote medium (mPZM)-3 배양액에서 7일간 배양하였다. 실험 설계에 따라 체외배양 7일 또는 체외배양 초기 48시간 동안 280 또는 320 mOsm의 삼투압에서 난자를 배양하였다. 실험1에서 체외배양 7일 동안 280 또는 320 mOsm의 배 양액 내 glycine 또는 alanine 첨가 효과를 검토한 결과 삼투압 차이에 따른 분할률 및 배반포 발달 률에는 차이를 보이지 않았으나 320 mOsm에서 배양된 난자 및 280 mOsm에 glycine을 첨가한 군 은 280 mOsm에서 배양된 난자에 비해 높은 배반포 세포수를 보였다 (36.5-38.0 vs. 31.1, P<0.05). 실험2에서는 체외배양 초기 48시간 동안 280 또는 320 mOsm의 삼투압에서 배양하였고, 그 후 280 mOsm 배양액으로 옮겨 5일간 추가로 배양하였다. 또한 체외배양액 내 4.1 mM glycine 첨가가 배 발육에 미치는 효과를 검토하였다. 단위발생 난자를 배양초기 48시간 동안 320 mOsm에서 glycine이 첨가된 배양액에서 배양한 군이 280 mOsm에서 배양한 군에 비해 유의적으로 높은 배반 포 발달율을 보였다(36.5-50.4% vs. 25.9-27.9%, P<0.05). 또한 배양 초기 48시간 동안 320 mOsm 배 양액에 glycine을 첨가하여 배양한 난자 (50.4%)가 다른 처리군의 난자(25.9-36.5%)에 비해 유의적 으로 높은 배반포 발달율을 보였다(P<0.05). 실험3에서는 실험2와 동일한 실험설계로 체세포 핵이 식으로 작성된 배반 포의 inner cell mass (ICM)와 trophectoderm (TE) 세포수를 조사하였다. 실험결과 초기 46시간 동안 glycine이 첨가된 320 mOsm 처리군에서 배양된 난자의 ICM 비율이(26.0%) 280 mOsm 삼투압에 glycine을 첨가한 군(17.8%)에 비해 유의적(P<0.05)으로 증가하였다. 본 연구결과 단위 생식 및 체세포 핵이식 난자의 체외배양에서 glycine의 첨가 및 체외 배양초기 48시간 동안 320 mOsm 삼투압 처리는 배 발육과 배반포 세포수를 증가시키는 것으로 확인되었다.

The knock-in efficiency in the fibroblast is very important to produce transgenic domestic animal using nuclear transfer. In this research, we constructed three kinds of different knock-in vectors to study the efficiency of knock-in depending on structure of knock-in vector with different size of homologous arm on the β-casein gene locus in the somatic cells; DT-A_cEndo Knock-in vector, DT-A_tEndo Knock-in vector I, and DT-A_tEndo Knock-in vector II. The knock-in vector consists of 4.8 kb or 1.06 kb of 5’ arm region and 1.8 kb or 0.64 kb of 3’ arm region, and neomycin resistance gene(neor) as a positive selection marker gene. The cEndo Knock-in vector had 4.8 kb and 1.8 kb homologous arm. The tEndo Knock-in vector I had 1.06 kb and 0.64 kb homologous arm and tEndo Knock-in vector II had 1.06 kb and 1.8 kb homologous arm. To express endostatin gene as transgene, the F2A sequence was fused to the 5’ terminal of endostatin gene and inserted into exon 7 of the β-casein gene. The knock-in vector and TALEN were introduced into the bovine fibroblast by electroporation. The knock-in efficiencies of cEndo, tEndo I, and tEndo II vector were 4.6%, 2.2% and 4.8%, respectively. These results indicated that size of 3’ arm in the knock-in vector is important for TALEN-mediated homologous recombination in the fibroblast. In conclusion, our knock-in system may help to create transgenic dairy cattle expressing human endostatin protein via the endogenous expression system of the bovine β-casein gene in the mammary gland.

체세포 복제기술을 이용한 복제가축 생산 기술은 1997년 전 세계적으로 이슈가 되었던 복제 면양 “Dolly”의 탄생을 계기로 여러 나라에서 소, 돼지, 말, 고양이, 개 등 많은 포유류에서 산자 생산에 성 공하였으며 우리나라의 체세포 복제 기술은 기술 선진국 대열에 들어서고 있다. 그러나 복제기술은 아 직까지 높은 유산율과 폐사율 등 해결해야 할 많은 근본적인 문제점 등이 있어 연구해야 할 분야는 적 지 않다고 하겠다. 체세포 복제 동물 생산기술은 당초에는 능력이 우량가축의 생산과 확대 및 조기증식 을 목적으로 이용되고 왔으나, 체세포 내로 우리가 원하는 유전자를 도입시키거나 없애는 기술 (knock-in과 knock-out)의 발달로 바이오장기 생산용 형질전환 복제 돼지의 생산을 목적으로 널리 이 용되고 있다. 또한, 최근에는 멸종위기에 있는 희소동물 유전자원을 멸실 이전에 동결 보존된 체세포를 이용하여 복원에 활용할 뿐 아니라 마약탐지견 생산 등 특수한 목적으로 활용되는 동물을 생산하는 기 술로서 기여하게 된다면 산업적으로 활용할 수 있는 분야가 더욱 확대될 것으로 기대된다. 따라서 체세 포 복제기술은 식용보다는 오히려 다양한 목적으로 복제동물을 생산하게 되면 산업적으로 활용할 수 있 는 가능성이 높을 것으로 기대되고 있다.

The purpose of this study is to develop transgenic cell line expressing targeted human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (hGCSF) and green fluorescence protein (GFP) genes as well as production of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) embryos derived from co-expressed transgenic donor cells. Constructed pPiggy-mWAP-hGCSF-EF1-GFP vector was chemically transfected into bovine fetus cells and then, only GFP expressed cells were selected as donor cells for SCNT. Cleavage and blastocyst rates of parthenogenetic, SCNT embryos using non-TG cell and hGCSF-GFP dual expressed SCNT embryos were examined (cleavage rate: 78.0±2.8 vs. 73.1±3.2 vs. 70.4±4.3%, developmental rate: 27.2 ±3.2 vs. 21.9±3.1 vs. 17.0±2.9%). Result indicated that cleavage and blastocyst rates of TG embryos were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of parthenogenetic and non-TG embryos, respectively. In this study, we successfully produced hGCSF-GFP dual expressed SCNT embryos and cryopreserved to produce transgenic cattle for bioreactor system purpose. Further process of our research will transfer of transgenic embryos to recipients and production of hGCSF secreting cattle.

The objective of this study was to monitor health conditions of genetically identical somatic cells cloned Korean white cattle, endangered indigenous cattle (EIC) and indigenous cattle (IC) by analysis of hematologic characteristics. Naturally ovulated oocytes and donor cells were used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Donor cells and enucleated oocytes were followed by electric fusion, chemical activation and surgical embryo transfer into the oviducts of surrogate females. Two recipients became pregnant; two maintained pregnancy to term, and one live cattle were delivered by caesarean section. The cloned Korean white cattle were genetically identical to the nuclear donor cattle. As a result, the mean values of RBC and platelet of cloned cattle and white cattle were significantly decreased by age (P<0.05). The mean values of RBC, HCT, MCV and MCHC between cloned cattle and IC of the same age (1∼2 years) showed the statistical significance (P<0.05). Also, in the WBC of Korean white cattle, the estimated values were decreased according to the age from 12.0×103/μl under 1 year to 11.0×103/μl over 1 years respectively. Although clone-cattle had lower numbers of RBC than reference range, the most of RBC and WBC related heamatologic results of cloned cattle were not different when compared to reference range. This study suggests that cloned Korean white cattle derived from SCNT did not have remarkable health problems, at least in the growth pattern and hematological parameters. In addition, this study provides a valuable resource for further investigations of the preservation of rare genetic stocks underlying traits of interest in cattle.

양파는 Allium에 속하는 조미채소로 한국을 포함한 동아시아 지역에서 경제적으로 중요한 작물이다. 본 연구에서는 슈퍼생생과 뉴마르스 양파 2개 품종의 인경 부위를 이용하여 kinetin 농도 별 백색 체세포배 캘러스 형성율을 조사하였다. 양파의 백색 체세포배 캘러스를 얻기 위하여 실시된 배양 조건은 1mg/L 2.4-D를 첨가한 B5배지를 기본으로 25℃ Dark에서 배양하였다. 관찰하고자 한 kinetin의 농도는 0mg/L, 0.1mg/L, 0.3mg/L, 1mg/L, 3mg/L로 정하여 실험하였으며, MSB배지에서 배양된 2개 품종의 양파인경을 얇게 잘라 B5배지에 치상하였다. 양파의 인경 조직 중 가장 안쪽 부분부터 반응이 시작되어 백색 체세포 배 캘러스가 형성되는 것을 kinetin 농도 별로 배양한 2주 후부터 관찰할 수 있었다. 양파 2개 품종의 인경 조직을 B5배지에 배양한 8주 후에 백색 체세포 배 캘러스 형성율을 조사하였다. 그 결과 슈퍼생생과 뉴마르스의 인경 조직에서 1mg/L 2,4-D와 0.3mg/L 그리고 1mg/L kinetin이 혼용처리 된 B5배지에서 73%와 66.7%로가장 높게 나타나는 것을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구에서 확립된 슈퍼생생과 뉴마르스의 인경 조직을 이용한 백색 체세포배 캘러스 형성 조사 결과는 추후 양파의 식물체 재분화 유도 및 대량증식 연구분야에 활용이 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

동물의 장기를 인간에게 이식하게 되면 초급성거부반응(Hyperacute rejection, HAR)이 일어난다. 초급성거부반응은 면역계의 구성요소 중 보체(complement)에 의해 일어나는 거부반응으로 돼지의 혈관세포 표면에 있는 Galα(1,3)Gal 당분자에 인간의 항체가 즉각 반응하기 때문에 일어나며, α1,3-galactosyltransferase(α1,3-GT) 유전자는 돼지 혈관세포 표면의 Galα(1,3)Gal 당분자 생성에 관여한다. 따라서 인간에게 돼지의 장기를 이식하기 위해서는 α1,3-galactosyltransferase 유전자를 제거하는 것이 필요한 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구실의 이전 연구에서, 시카고 미니돼지 귀체세포에서 상동 재조합(Homologous recombination)을 통해 α1,3-galactosyltransferase 유전자가 제거된 체세포를 개발한 바 있으며, 이 체세포를 통하여 α1,3-GT 유전자가 제거된 돼지도 생산된 바 있다. 본 연구에서는, human serum 처리 시 돼지 세포를 보호해 준다고 보고되고 있는 human complement regulator인 human Decay-accelerating factor(hDAF)와 human α1,2-fucosyltransferase(hHT)유전자를 α1,3-GT 유전자 위치에 gene targeting하여 동시에 hDAF와 hHT가 발현하는 체세포를 개발하였다. Knock-in vector는 hDAF와 hHT 두 유전자가 발현할 수 있도록 IRES로 연결하였으며, α1,3-GT 유전자의 start codon을 이용하여 발현할 수 있도록 구축하였다. 구축한 vector는 electroporation을 통해 미니돼지 체세포에 도입하였으며, PCR 결과, α1,3-GT 유전자 위치에서 상동 재조합이 일어났음을 확인하였다. Positivenegative 선별 방법을 통해 얻은 gene targeting 된 체세포는 RT-PCR에 의해 hDAF와 hHT 유전자의 발현이 확인되었으며, 대조군(NIH minipig)에 비해 α1,3-GT 유전자의 발현이 감소하였다. 또한 이들 세포에 100% human complement serum을 처리하였을 때 knock-in 세포가 대조군에 비해 30% 정도 더 높은 생존율을 보였다. 따라서 개발된 체세포는 이종간 장기이식을 위한 돼지 생산과 함께 이를 이용한 이종간의 장기 이식 시 초급성 거부반응을 억제하는 데 사용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

Recent 2 decades, including in vitro maturation (IVM), assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) achieved noteworthy development. However the efficiency of ARTs with in vitro matured oocytes is still lower than that with in vivo oocytes. To overcome those limitations, many researchers attempted to adapt co-culture system during IVM and consequently maturation efficiency has been increased. The beneficial effects of applying co-culture system is contemplated base on communication and interaction between various somatic cells and oocytes, achievement of paracrine factors, and spatial effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) from somatic cell surface. The understanding of co-culture system can provide some information to narrow the gap between in vitro and in vivo. Here we will review current studies about issues for understanding cu-culture system with various somatic cells to improve in vitro maturation microenvironment and provide bird view and strategies for further studies.

The objective of this study was to monitor health conditions of four genetically identical somatic cells cloned Labrador retriever puppies by estimation of body weight and analysis of hematologic and serologic characteristics. Naturally ovulated oocytes and donor cells were used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Donor cells and enucleated oocytes were followed by electric fusion, chemical activation and surgical embryo transfer into the oviducts of surrogate females. Two recipients became pregnant; two maintained pregnancy to term, and four live puppies were delivered by Caesarean section. The cloned Labrador retrievers were genetically identical to the nuclear donor dog. The body weight of clone-1, -2, -3, and -4 was increased from 0.66, 0.40, 0.39, and 0.37 kg at birth to 6.2, 6.6, 6.2, and 6.0 kg at 8 weeks of age, respectively. Although clone-4 had lower numbers of RBC than reference range, the most of RBC and WBC related heamatologic results of cloned puppies were not different when compared to reference range. In serological analysis, Glucose, ALP and inorganic phosphate level of four cloned puppies was significantly higher than the reference ranges. However, there was no significant difference among four cloned dogs. This study suggests that cloned puppies derived from SCNT did not have remarkable health problems, at least in the growth pattern and hematological and serological parameters.

This study was carried out to investigate effective condition for producing somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos of Jeju native cattle. As donor cells for SCNT, ear skin cells from Jeju native cattle were used. In experiment 1, the effect of recipient oocyte sources on the development of Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos were examined. Fusion rate of recipient oocyte and donor cell was not different between the Hanwoo and Holstein recipient oocytes (86.0% vs 89.9%). The rate of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Hanwoo recipient oocytes than in Holstein recipient ones (28.2% vs 14.7%). Blastocysts derived from Hanwoo recipient oocytes contained higher numbers of total cells than those derived from Holstein ones ( vs ), although there were no significant difference. The mean proportion of apoptotic cells in blastocyst was not different between the sources of recipient oocytes. In experiment 2, the development of Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos were compared. Hanwoo oocytes were used as the recipient oocytes. Fusion rate was not different between the Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos (92.1% vs 92.9%). The blastocyst rate of SCNT embryos was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Jeju native cattle than in Hanwoo (16.9% vs 31.0%). Blastocysts derived from Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos contained smaller numbers of total cells than those derived from Hanwoo ones ( vs ), but there were no significant difference. The mean proportion of apoptotic cells in blastocyst was not different between the Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos. The present study demonstrated that Hanwoo recipient oocytes were more effective in supporting production of Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos, although Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos showed reduced developmental capacity when compared to Hanwoo SCNT embryos.

동물의 장기를 인간에게 이식하게 되면 초급성거부반응(Hyperacute rejection, HAR)이 일 어난다. 초급성거부반응은 면역계의 구성요소 중 보체(complement)에 의해 일어나는 거부 반응으로 돼지의 혈관세포 표면에 있는 Galα(1,3)Gal 당분자에 인간의 항체가 즉각 반응하 기 때문에 일어나며, α1,3-galactosyltransferase(α1,3-GT) 유전자는 돼지 혈관세포 표면의 Galα(1,3)Gal 당분자 생성에 관여한다. 따라서 인간에게 돼지의 장기를 이식하기 위해서는 α1,3-galactosyltransferase 유전자를 제거하는 것이 필요한 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구 실 의 이전 연구에서, 시카고 미니돼지 귀체세포에서 상동 재조합(Homologous recombination) 을 통해 α1,3-galactosyltransferase 유전자가 제거된 체세포를 개발한 바 있으며, 이 체세 포 를 통하여 α1,3-GT 유전자가 제거된 돼지도 생산된 바 있다. 본 연구에서는, Human serum 처리 시 돼지 세포를 보호해준다고 보고되고 있는 human complement regulator인 human Decay-accelerating factor(hDAF)와 human α1,2-fucosyltransferase(hHT) 유전자를 α1,3 -GT 유전자 위치에 gene targeting하여 동시에 hDAF와 hHT가 발현하는 체세포를 개발하였다. Knock-in vector는 hDAF와 hHT 두 유전자가 발현할 수 있도록 IRES로 연결하였으며 α 1,3-GT 유전자의 start codon을 이용하여 발현할 수 있도록 구축하였다. 구축한 vector는 electroporation을 통해 미니돼지 체세포에 도입하였으며, PCR 결과 α1,3-GT 유전자 위치 에 서 상동 재조합이 일어났음을 확인하였다. Positive-negative 선별 방법을 통해 얻은 gene targeting된 체세포는 RT-PCR에 의해 hDAF와 hHT 유전자의 발현이 확인되었으며, 대조군 (NIH minipig)에 비해 α1,3-GT 유전자의 발현이 감소하였다. 또한, 이들 세포에 100% human complement serum을 처리하였을 때 Knock-in 세포가 대조군에 비해 30% 정도 더 높 은 생존율을 보였다. 따라서 개발된 체세포는 이종간 장기이식을 위한 돼지 생산과 함께 이를 이용한 이종간의 장기 이식 시 초급성 거부반응을 억제하는 데 사용 될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

복제동물 생산을 위한 체세포 핵이식 성공률은 공여세포 준비를 포함하여 많은 요소들에 의한 변수가 크다. 체세포 핵이식의 공여세포로 사용되는 세포는 G0/G1기로 세포주기를 맞 춘 confluence한 신선 배양세포를 일반적으로 이용하고 있다. 그러나 본 연구에서는 돼지 체세포 복제수정란 생산시 동결융해세포의 이용가능성을 확인하고자 일반세포와 형질전환 세포에서 신선한 배양세포와 동결융해세포를 이용한 복제수정란의 체외발달능력 및 배반 포 의 세포자연사를 비교하였다. 공여세포는 유전자가 삽입되지 않은 일반 미니돼지 귀세포와 상기세포에 GalT 유전자가 적중된 형질전환세포를 이용하였다. 배양세포는 confluence상태에서, 동결융해세포는 confluence 상태에서 동결된 세포를 융해하여 핵이식에 사용하였다. 수핵란과 공여세포가 융합 된 복제수정란은 PZM-3 배양액에서 38.5℃, 5% CO2, 5% O2 조건하에서 6일간 배양하여 배반포 발달율을 조사하였으며, 배반포의 세포자연사는 TUNEL법을 이용하여 분석하였다. 일반세포의 경우, 융합율(83.3 vs 79.1%), 배반포 발달율(18.0 vs 15.0%), 배반포 세포수 (38.4±12.8 vs 42.0±12.4) 그리고 배반포의 세포자연사 비율(2.1±2.7 vs 1.9±3.7%)은 배 양 세포와 동결융해세포 간에 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 형질전환세포의 경우, 융합율 (87.0 vs 82.4%), 배반포 발달율(24.6 vs 17.3%) 그리고 배반포 세포수(35.3±11.9 vs 37.7± 15.4)는 두 세포군 간에 통계적 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났지만, 배반포의 세포자연사 비율 (6.0±4.8 vs 10.6±9.4%)은 배양세포가 동결융해세포보다 유의하게 낮은 것으로 나타났다 (p<0.05). 본 연구 결과는 배양된 신선 체세포를 대체하여 confluence 상태에서 동결보존된 돼지 체 세포는 융해 직후 공여세포로서 돼지 복제수정란 생산에 유용하게 활용될 수 있음을 제시 하고 있다.

체세포 핵이식은 형질전환 복제 동물 생산과 더불어 그에 따른 바이오 신약의 개발, 장기 생산 등 많은 장점이 있지만, 여전히 체세포 핵이식 동물의 생산성은 임신율이 낮고 비정상 적인 개체의 탄생 등의 문제점이 있다. 그 이유 중 하나로 핵이식에 사용되는 공여세포가 다시 수정란으로 돌아가는 과정에서 후생학적 역분화가 불완전하게 이루어지기 때문이다. 본 연구는 체세포가 유도만능 줄기세포로 역분화하는 과정에서 사용되는 리프로그래밍 전 사인자 (Oct4, Klf4, Sox2와 c-Myc, OKS-M)의 도입과 더불어, 후생학적 변형에 관련된 억 제제 trichostatin A(TSA), 5-aza-20-deoxycytidine(5-aza), GSK-3 inhibitor와 MEK inhibitor (2i)가 복제 수정란에 미치는 영향에 대해서 연구하였다. 젖소 귀 세포에 전사인자 Oct4, Klf4, Sox2와 c-Myc을 도입하였고, 배양 시간이 흐름에 따라 세포크기가 작아짐 (11.72± 3.39, 8.42±4.95, p<0.05)을 볼 수 있었으며, RT-PCR을 통하여 8개의 콜로니 중 4개의 콜 로니에서 외인성 유전자를 발견하였다. 리프로그래밍에 관련된 내인성 유전자의 활성을 증 가시키기 위하여 HDAC 억제제인 trichostatin A (20 nM), DNA methyltransferase 억제제인 5-aza-20-deoxycytidine (10 μM), 줄기세포 분화 경로 억제제인 GSK-3 (3 μM) and MEK (1 μM)를 처리하였다. 4개 중 1개의 콜로니에서 내인성 유전자의 활성이 증가됨을 발견하였 다. H3K9/K14의 acetylation 상태는 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다. 그러나 체세포 핵이식의 분 할률에서는 somatic cells이 85.9±8.98%, OKS-M 처리군이 82.0±4.97%, OKS-M을 도입한 체세포에 TSA, 5-aza, 2i 처리군이 각각 88.4±7.89, 75.3±8.10, 74.2±2.90%로 OKS-M과 TSA를 함께 처리하였을 때 가장 높은 분할률을 보였고, 배반포와 상실배기 까지의 발달률 은 somatic cells이 9.6±3.79%, OKS-M 처리군이 12.6±6.54%, OKS-M을 도입한 체세포에 TSA, 5-aza, 2i를 처리하였을 때 각각 11.1±6.87, 20.1±5.89, 9.5±1.53%로 OKS-M과 5- aza 를 함께 처리하였을 때 유의적으로(p<0.05) 가장 높은 발달률을 보였다. 따라서 전사인자의 도입과 후생학적 변형과 관련된 억제제의 처리는 소 복제 수정란의 발달률 향상에 영향을 주는 것으로 나타남에 따라, 앞으로 다양한 억제제와 처리조건에 따 라 복제수정란의 향상을 위한 최적화된 방법을 유도할 필요가 있다.

DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) gene contains three different isoform transcripts, Dnmt1s, Dnmt1o, and Dnmt1p, are produced by alternative usage of multiple first exons. Dnmt1o is specific to oocytes and preimplantation embryos, whereas Dnmt1s is expressed in somatic cells. Here we determined that porcine Dnmt1o gene had differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in 5’-flanking region, while those were not found in the Dnmt1s promoter region. The methylation patterns of the porcine Dnmt1o/Dnmt1s DMRs were investigated using bisulfite sequencing and pyrosequencing analysis through all preimplantation stages from one cell to blastocyst stage in in vivo or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The Dnmt1o DMRs contained 8 CpG sites, which located in —640 bp to —30 bp upstream region from transcription start site of the Dnmt1o gene. The methylation status of 5 CpGs within the Dnmt1o DMRs were distinctively different at each stage from one-cell to blastocyst stage in the in vivo or SCNT, respectively. 55.62% methylation degree of the Dnmt1o DMRs in the in vivo was increased up to 84.38% in the SCNT embryo, moreover, de novo methylation and demethylation occurred during development of porcine embryos from the one-cell stage to the blastocyst stage. However, the DNA methylation states at CpG sites in the Dnmt1s promoter regions were hypomethylated, and dramatically not changed through one-cell to blastocyst stage in the in vivo or SCNT embryos. In the present study, we demonstrated that the DMRs in the promoter region of the porcine Dnmt1o was well conserved, contributing to establishment and maintenance of genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation in early embryonic development.

Previously, we reported that the osmolarity conditions in the satellite region were affected CpG DNA methylation status while Pre-1 sequence was not affected CpG DNA methylation in pNT blastocyst stage. This study was conducted to investigate the DNA methylation status of repeat sequences in pig nuclear transfer (pNT) embryos produced under different osmolarity culture conditions. Control group of pNT embryos was cultured in PZM-3 for six days. Other two treatment groups of pNT embryos were cultured in modified PZM-3 with 138 mM NaCl or 0.05 M sucrose (mPZM-3, 320 mOsmol) for two days, and then cultured in PZM-3 (270 mOsmol) for four days. The DNA methylation status of the Pre-1 sequences in blastocysts was characterized using a bisulfite-sequencing method. Intriguingly, in the present study, we found the unique DNA methylation at several non-CpG sequences at the Pre-1 sequences in all groups. The non-CpG methylation was hypermethylated in all three groups, including in vivo group (86.90% of PZM- 3; 83.87% of NaCl; 84.82% of sucrose; 90.94% of in vivo embryos). To determine whether certain non-CpG methylated sites were preferentially methylated, we also investigated the methylation degree of CpA, CpT and CpC. Excepting in vivo group, preference of methylation was CpT>CpC>CpA in all three groups investigated. These results indicate that DNA methylation of Pre-1 sequences was hypermethylated in CpG as well as non-CpG site, regardless modification of osmolarity in a culture media.

One-step dilution and direct transfer would be a practical technique for the field application of frozen embryo. This study was to examine whether Jeju Black Cattle (JBC, Korean Cattle) can be successfully cloned from vitrified and one-tep diluted somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) blastocyst after direct transfer. For vitrification, JBC-SCNT blastocysts were serially exposed in glycerol (G) and ethylene glycol (EG) mixtures〔10% (v/v) G for 5 min., 10% G plus 20% EG (v/v) for 5 min., and 25% G plus 25% EG (v/v) for 30 sec.〕which is diluted in 10% FBS added D-PBS. And then SCNT blastocysts were loaded in 0.25 ml mini straw, placed in cold nitrogen vapor for 3 min. and then plunged into LN2. One-step dilution in straw was done in 25℃ water for 1 min, by placing vertically in the state of plugged- end up and down for 0.5 min, respectively. When in vitro developmental capacity of vitrified SCNT blastocyst was examined at 48 h after one-step dilution, hatched rate (56.4%) was slightly lower than that of control group (62.5%). In field trial, when the vitrified-thawed SCNT blastocysts were transferred into uterus of synchronized 5 recipients, a cloned female JBC was delivered by natural birth on day 299 and healthy at present. In addition, when the short tandem repeat marker analysis of the cloned JBC was evaluated, microsatellite loci of 11 numbers was perfectly matched genotype with donor cell (BK94-14). This study suggested that our developed vitrification and one-step dilution technique can be applied effectively on field trial for cloned animal production, which is even no longer in existence.

A total of 222 udder-half milk samples of lactating goats were collected from two herds in Korea during 2008 and all samples were subjected to bacteriological examination. Somatic cell counts (SCC) were also determined for all samples except for 13 (5.9%), which were collected from halves of udders with clinical mastitis. A total of 85 bacteria were isolated from 82 (36.9%) of 222 milk samples tested. Staphylococci were the predominant pathogens, accounting for almost 70% of the isolates: Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) and S. aureus constituted 55% (47/85) and 14.1% (12/85), respectively. Among 209 samples tested for SCC, bacteria were isolated from 36 of 115 (31.3%) samples with SCC of <1×106 cells/㎖ and 38 of 94 (40.4%) samples that had SCC of ≥1×106 cells/㎖, respectively. All S. aureus were detected from samples with SCC of ≥1×106 cells/㎖, while 25 of 47 (61.0%) CNS were isolated from milk samples with SCC of <1×106 cells/㎖. Mean SCC of milk samples that harbored S. aureus and CNS was 4,787×103 cells/㎖ and >1×106 cells/㎖, respectively. All S. aureus and CNS isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested except for penicillin, to which 2 (16.6%) S. aureus and 12 (25.5%) CNS isolates showed resistance.