Stem cell factor/c-Kit signaling in in vitro cultures supports early mouse embryonic development by accelerating proliferation via a mechanism involving Akt-downstream genes

作者：Lim Jung Jin; Eum Jin Hee; Lee Jeoung Eun; Kim Eun Sun; Chung Hyung Min; Yoon Tae Ki; Kim Kye Seong; Lee Dong Ryul^*

来源：Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2010, 27(11): 619-627.

DOI：10.1007/s10815-010-9449-9

• Stem cell factor (SCF)
• c-Kit receptor
• Embryonic cleavage
• Gene silencing

Stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit regulates the proliferation and survival of germ cells or stem cells; however, little is known about the role of SCF/c-Kit in pre-implantation embryo development.
Using exogenous SCF supplementation and c-Kit siRNA injection, we investigated the role and mechanism of SCF/c-Kit in pre-implantation mouse embryos.
Addition of soluble SCF to the culture medium improved blastocyst formation. c-Kit gene silencing reduced the rate of blastocyst formation and delayed embryonic development. The number of proliferating cells in c-Kit gene-silenced blastocysts decreased, whereas the number of apoptotic cells in blastocysts obtained from both experimental and the control groups was not affected. RT-PCR, immunostaining and western blotting revealed that proliferation-related Akt downstream targets were substantially affected by c-Kit gene silencing.
SCF/c-Kit signaling through Akt downstream targets is likely involved in mediating the cleavage and proliferation of blastomeres during mouse pre-implantation embryogenesis.

• 出版日期2010-11