Molecular analysis of the human placental cysteine dioxygenase type 1 gene

In Vitro Culture Alters Cell Lineage Composition and Cellular Metabolism of Bovine Blastocyst

Profiling transcriptome at single cell level of bovine blastocysts derived in vivo (IVV), in vitro from conventional culture medium (IVC), and reduced nutrient culture medium (IVR) has enabled us to reveal cell lineage segregation, during which forming inner cell mass (ICM), trophectoderm (TE), and an undefined population of transitional cells. Only IVV embryos had well-defined ICM, indicating in vitro culture may delay the first cell fate commitment to ICM. Differences between IVV, IVC and IVR embryos were mainly contributed by ICM and transitional cells. Pathway analysis by using the differentially expressed genes of these non-TE cells between groups pointed to highly active metabolic and biosynthetic processes, with reduced cellular signaling and membrane transport in IVC embryos, which may lead to reduced developmental potential. IVR embryos had lower activities in metabolic and biosynthetic processes, but increased cellular signaling and membrane transport, suggesting these cellular mechanisms may contribute to the improved blastocyst development compared to IVC embryos. However, the IVR embryos had compromised development when compared to IVV embryos with notably over-active membrane transport activities that led to impaired ion homeostasis.

Serum sulfate level and Slc13a1 mRNA expression remain unaltered in a mouse model of moderate vitamin D deficiency

Sulfate is essential for healthy foetal growth and neurodevelopment. The SLC13A1 sulfate transporter is primarily expressed in the kidney where it mediates sulfate reabsorption and maintains circulating sulfate levels. To meet foetal demands, maternal sulfate levels increase by twofold in pregnancy via upregulated SLC13A1 expression. Previous studies found hyposulfataemia and reduced renal Slc13a1 mRNA expression in rodent models with either severe vitamin D deficiency or perturbed vitamin D signalling. Here we investigated a mouse model of moderate vitamin D deficiency. However, serum sulfate level and renal Slc13a1 mRNA expression was not decreased by a moderate reduction in circulating vitamin D level. We confirmed that the mouse Slc13a1 5'-flanking region was upregulated by 1,25(OH)₂D₃ using luciferase assays in a cultured renal OK cell line. These results support the presence of a functional VDRE in the mouse Slc13a1 but suggests that moderate vitamin D deficiency does not impact on sulfate homeostasis. As sulfate biology is highly conserved between rodents and humans, we proposed that human SLC13A1 would be under similar transcriptional regulation by 1,25(OH)₂D₃. Using an online prediction tool we identified a putative VDRE in the SLC13A1 5'-flanking region but unlike the mouse Slc13a1 sequence, the human sequence did not confer a significant response to 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in vitro. Overall, this study suggests that moderate vitamin D deficiency may not alter sulfate homeostasis. This needs to be confirmed in humans, particularly during pregnancy when vitamin D and sulfate levels need to be maintained at high levels for healthy maternal and child outcomes.

Sulfation Pathways During Neurodevelopment

Sulfate is an important nutrient that modulates a diverse range of molecular and cellular functions in mammalian physiology. Over the past 2 decades, animal studies have linked numerous sulfate maintenance genes with neurological phenotypes, including seizures, impaired neurodevelopment, and behavioral abnormalities. Despite sulfation pathways being highly conserved between humans and animals, less than one third of all known sulfate maintenance genes are clinically reportable. In this review, we curated the temporal and spatial expression of 91 sulfate maintenance genes in human fetal brain from 4 to 17 weeks post conception using the online Human Developmental Biology Resource Expression. In addition, we performed a systematic search of PubMed and Embase, identifying those sulfate maintenance genes linked to atypical neurological phenotypes in humans and animals. Those findings, together with a search of the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database, identified a total of 18 candidate neurological dysfunction genes that are not yet considered in clinical settings. Collectively, this article provides an overview of sulfate biology genes to inform future investigations of perturbed sulfate homeostasis associated with neurological conditions.

Bis[squaramido]ferrocenes as electrochemical sulfate receptors

The bis[squaramido]ferrocene scaffold is introduced and shown to selectively bind and electrochemically report sulfate in competitive water/DMSO mixtures.