Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry (May 2013)

Expression of Aquaporins in Human Embryos and Potential Role of AQP3 and AQP7 in Preimplantation Mouse Embryo Development

  • Yun Xiong,
  • Ya-Jing Tan,
  • Yi-Meng Xiong,
  • Yi-Ting Huang,
  • Xiao-Ling Hu,
  • Yong-Chao Lu,
  • Ying-Hui Ye,
  • Ting-Ting Wang,
  • Dan Zhang,
  • Fan Jin,
  • He-Feng Huang,
  • Jian-Zhong Sheng

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1159/000350084
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 31, no. 4-5
pp. 649 – 658

Abstract

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Background/Aims: Water channels, also named aquaporins (AQPs), play crucial roles in cellular water homeostasis. Methods: RT-PCR indicated the mRNA expression of AQPs 1-5, 7, 9, and 11-12, but not AQPs 0, 6, 8, and 10 in the 2∼8-cell stage human embryos. AQP3 and AQP7 were further analyzed for their mRNA expression and protein expression in the oocyte, zygote, 2-cell embryo, 4-cell embryo, 8-cell embryo, morula, and blastocyst from both human and mouse using RT-PCR and immunofluorescence, respectively. Results: AQP3 and AQP7 were detected in all these stages. Knockdown of either AQP3 or AQP7 by targeted siRNA injection into 2-cell mouse embryos significantly inhibited preimplantation embryo development. However, knockdown of AQP3 in JAr spheroid did not affect its attachment to Ishikawa cells. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that multiple aquaporins are expressed in the early stage human embryos and that AQP3 and AQP7 may play a role in preimplantation mouse embryo development.

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