Hiroshima University Graduate School of Science
Hiroshima University Graduate School of Science
Hiroshima University Graduate School of Science
Hiroshima University Graduate School of Science
Hiroshima University Graduate School of Science
University of Tokushima Dept. of Math. and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
出版者
宇宙航空研究開発機構宇宙科学研究本部
出版者(英)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA/ISAS)
雑誌名
宇宙利用シンポジウム 第21回 平成16年度
雑誌名(英)
Space Utilization Research: Proceedings of the Twenty-first Space Utilization Symposium
ページ
270 - 273
発行年
2005-03
抄録(英)
This study attempts to investigate abnormal Programmed Cell Death (PCD) and abnormal gene expression induced under high gravity conditions. Uncleaved Xenopus laevis eggs at 10 and 20 min after insemination, and embryos at 2 cell stage were raised at 2 G and 5 G. Controls were raised in normal gravity. PCD for body surface and inner structures of hatched tadpoles was scored using the TUNEL staining method, and gene expression was analyzed by whole-mount in situ hybridization when eggs and embryos reached tail-bud embryos. The results showed that: (1) High gravity retarded the development of eggs and embryos and induced microcephaly and microphthalmia. (2) The number of dying cells in the skin of tadpoles developed from treated eggs and cell 2 stage embryos was greater at 2 G, but less at 5 G, compared to controls. The number of PCD in head epidermis of tadpoles developed from treated eggs and embryos was higher at 2 G than in controls, but the same as controls at 5 G. Brain PCD was found to be the same at 2 G, but higher at 5 G than for controls. (3) High gravity strongly suppressed the expression of the two genes, XAG1 (regulating cement gland formation) and Xotx2 (involved in forebrain and eye development). These findings suggest that high gravity induces abnormal PCD and suppresses gene functions essential for head and brain development, leading to retardation and various morphological abnormalities.