Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0378-1119 941 2025 Identification of pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), a novel gene with spatiotemporal expression in barbule cells during feather development 149244 EN Minori Nakaoka Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hibiki Fukuchi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Maho Ogoshi Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sayaka Aizawa Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sakae Takeuchi Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Bird contour feathers exhibit a complex hierarchical structure composed of a rachis, barbs, and barbules, with barbules playing a crucial role in maintaining feather structure and function. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying barbule formation is essential for advancing our knowledge of avian biology and evolution. In this study, we identified a novel gene, pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), using microarray analysis, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization. PBCF is expressed in barbule cells adjacent to the ramus during pennaceous barbule formation, where these cells fuse with the ramus to establish the feather’s branching structure. PBCF expression occurs transiently after melanin pigmentation of the barbule plates but before the expression of barbule-specific keratin 1 (BlSK1). Orthologues of PBCF, predicted to be secreted proteins, are conserved across avian species, with potential homologues detected in reptiles, suggesting an evolutionary lineage-specific adaptation. Additionally, PBCF is expressed in non-vacuolated notochord cells and the extra-embryonic ectoderm of the yolk sac, hinting at its broader developmental significance. The PBCF gene produces two mRNA isoforms via alternative splicing, encoding a secreted protein and a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane-bound protein, indicating functional versatility. These findings suggest that PBCF may be involved as an avian-specific extracellular matrix component in cell adhesion and/or communication, potentially contributing to both feather development and embryogenesis. Further investigation of PBCF’s role in feather evolution and its potential functions in other vertebrates could provide new insights into the interplay between development and evolution. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0016-6480 357 2024 Revisiting the hormonal control of sexual dimorphism in chicken feathers 114601 EN Li You Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kaori Nishio Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kinue Kowata Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Minaru Horikawa Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University Hibiki Fukuchi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Maho Ogoshi Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sayaka Aizawa Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sakae Takeuchi Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sexual dimorphism in plumage is widespread among avian species. In chickens, adult females exhibit countershading, characterized by dull-colored round feathers lacking fringe on the saddle, while adult males display vibrant plumage with deeply fringed bright feathers. This dimorphism is estrogen-dependent, and administering estrogen to males transforms their showy plumage into cryptic female-like plumage. Extensive studies have shown that estrogen’s role in female plumage formation requires thyroid hormone; however, the precise mechanisms of their interaction remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the roles of estrogen and thyroid hormone in creating sexual dimorphism in the structure and coloration of saddle feathers by administering each hormone to adult males and observing the resulting changes in regenerated feathers induced by plucking. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of type 3 deiodinase (DIO3), responsible for thyroid hormone inactivation, correlates with fringing. Estrogen suppressed DIO3 and agouti signaling protein (ASIP) expression while stimulating BlSK1, a marker of barbule cells, resulting in female-like feathers with mottled patterns and lacking fringes. Administration of thyroxine (T4) stimulated BlSK1 and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression, with no effect on ASIP, leading to the formation of solid black feathers lacking fringes. Triiodothyronine (T3) significantly increased POMC expression in pulp cells in culture. Taken together, these findings suggest that estrogen promotes the formation of solid vanes by suppressing DIO3 expression, while also inducing the formation of mottled patterns through inhibition of ASIP expression and indirect stimulation of melanocortin expression via changes in local T3 concentration. This is the first report describing molecular mechanism underlying hormonal crosstalk in creating sexual dimorphism in feathers. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Acta Medica Okayama 0302-766X 375 3 2018 Runx3 regulates folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in granulosa cells of immature mice 743 754 EN Fumiya Ojima Department of Biology, The Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuka Saito Department of Biology, The Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yukiko Tsuchiya Department of Biology, The Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Maho Ogoshi Department of Biology, The Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hiroshi Fukamachi The Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Kenichi Inagaki The Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Fumio Otsuka The Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Sakae Takeuchi Department of Biology, The Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sumio Takahashi Department of Biology, The Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University We previously demonstrated that female Runx3 knockout (Runx3-/-) mice were anovulatory and their uteri were atrophic and that Runx3 mRNA was expressed in granulosa cells. To clarify how Runx3 regulates folliculogenesis and ovulation, we examine the effects of Runx3 knockout on the gene expression of growth factors associated with folliculogenesis and enzymes associated with steroidogenesis. In Runx3-/- mouse ovaries, the numbers of primary and antral follicles were lower than those in wild-type (wt) mice at 3 weeks of age, indicating that the loss of Runx3 affects folliculogenesis. The expression of genes encoding activin and inhibin subunits (Inha, Inhba and Inhbb) was also decreased in ovaries from the Runx3-/- mice compared with that in wt mice. Moreover, the expression of the genes Cyp11a1 and Cyp19a1 encoding steroidogenic enzymes was also decreased. In cultured granulosa cells from 3-week-old mouse ovaries, Cyp19a1 mRNA levels were lower in Runx3-/- mice than those in wt mice. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment increased Cyp19a1 mRNA levels in both wt and Runx3-/- granulosa cells in culture but the mRNA level in Runx3-/- granulosa cells was lower than that in wt ones, indicating that granulosa cells could not fully function in the absence of Runx3. At 3 weeks of age, gonadotropin α subunit, FSHβ subunit and luteinizing hormone (LH) β subunit mRNA levels were decreased in Runx3-/- mice. These findings suggest that Runx3 plays a key role in female reproduction by regulating folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in granulosa cells. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山実験動物研究会 Acta Medica Okayama 33 2017 下垂体隆起部の発生期に特異的に発現する遺伝子Cytokine-like 1,Gap junction protein alpha 5の同定 31 34 EN Sayaka Aizawa Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuriko Higaki Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Maho Ogoshi Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sakae Takeuchi Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sumio Takahashi Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Adenohypophysis delivered from oral ectoderm consists of pars distalis (PD), pars intermedia and pars tuberalis (PT). The mechanisms of development of PD has been well studied, and the cell differentiation of PD has been well understood. However, the morphogenesis and the differentiation of PT are still unclear, and the gene expression during the PT development remains largely unknown. In this study, we explored the specifically expressing genes in PT during development and analyzed its spatiotemporal expressions pattern. Microarray analysis on laser-captured PT and PD tissues obtained from chicken embryos on embryonic day 10 (E10.0) showed high expressing genes, Cytokine-like 1 (CYTL1) and Gap junction protein alpha 5 (GJA5) in PT. A detail analysis of spatiotemporal expressions pattern during chick embryo development by in situ hybridization revealed that CYTL1 mRNA was first detected in lateral head ectoderm and ventral head ectoderm in E1.5. The CYTL1 expressions moved into Rathke’s pouch at E2.5, then it was localized in PT primordium and continuously expressed in PT primordium until E12.0. On the other hand, GJA5 mRNA was transiently detected in PT primordium from E6 to E14.0, while the expression was not detected in PD during development. These results suggested that these genes may be involved in the regulation mechanism of PT development and could be a useful marker in the PT development. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山実験動物研究会 Acta Medica Okayama 32 2016 ウズラPBCF 遺伝子の構造と発現 19 21 EN Ayako Kugimoto Sayaka Aizawa Maho Ogoshi Sumio Takahashi Sakae Takeuchi No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山実験動物研究会 Acta Medica Okayama 31 2015 マウス子宮内膜細胞におけるKallikrein の発現制御の解析 37 39 EN Megumi Tokumori Maho Ogoshi Sakae Takeuchi Sumio Takahashi No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山実験動物研究会 Acta Medica Okayama 30 2014 ニワトリにおける羽色調節の品種差 39 41 EN Toru Takahashi Kaori Nishio Maho Ogoshi Sumio Takahashi Sakae Takeuchi No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.