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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
In vitro Electroporation of the Lower Rhombic Lip of Midgestation Mouse Embryos
Published on: August 3, 2012
The mushroom ribosome-inactivating protein lyophyllin exerts deleterious effects on mouse embryonic development in
W Y Chan1, T B Ng, Joyce S Y Lam
1School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
Abstract:
Earlier investigations disclose that some plant ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) adversely affect mouse embryonic development. In the present study, a mushroom RIP, namely lyophyllin from Lyophyllum shimeji, was isolated, partially sequenced, and its translation inhibitory activity determined. Its teratogenicity was studied by using a technique entailing microinjection and postimplantation whole-embryo culture. It was found that embryonic abnormalities during the period of organogenesis from E8.5 to E9.5 were induced by lyophyllin at a concentration as low as 50 microg/ml, and when the lyophyllin concentration was raised, the number of abnormal embryos increased, the final somite number decreased, and the abnormalities increased in severity. The affected embryonic structures included the cranial neural tube, forelimb buds, branchial arches, and body axis, while optic and otic placodes were more resistant. Lyophyllin at a concentration higher than 500 microg/ml also induced forebrain blisters within the cranial mesenchyme. When the abnormal embryos were examined histologically, an increase of cell death was found to be associated with abnormal structures, indicating that cell death may be one of the underlying causes of teratogenicity of the mushroom RIP. This constitutes the first report on the teratogenicity of a mushroom RIP.
Insights
This study reveals that lyophyllin, a mushroom ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), causes embryonic abnormalities in mice. Increased lyophyllin concentration led to more severe developmental defects and increased cell death.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
- Mycology
Background:
- Plant ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are known to negatively impact mouse embryonic development.
- Mushroom-derived RIPs have not been extensively studied for their developmental toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize lyophyllin, a novel mushroom RIP from Lyophyllum shimeji.
- To investigate the teratogenic potential of lyophyllin on early mouse embryonic development.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of lyophyllin-induced teratogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and partial sequencing of lyophyllin from Lyophyllum shimeji.
- Determination of lyophyllin's translation inhibitory activity.
- Microinjection and postimplantation whole-embryo culture to assess teratogenicity at embryonic days E8.5-E9.5.
- Histological examination of abnormal embryos to identify cellular changes.
Main Results:
- Lyophyllin induced significant embryonic abnormalities at concentrations as low as 50 microg/ml.
- Dose-dependent increases in abnormality severity, decreased somite number, and affected structures (cranial neural tube, forelimb buds, branchial arches, body axis) were observed.
- Optic and otic placodes showed relative resistance; forebrain blisters occurred at higher concentrations (>500 microg/ml).
- Histological analysis revealed increased cell death in abnormal embryonic structures.
Conclusions:
- Lyophyllin, a mushroom RIP, exhibits significant teratogenic effects on mouse embryos during organogenesis.
- Increased apoptosis (cell death) is a likely mechanism contributing to lyophyllin's teratogenicity.
- This is the first report detailing the teratogenicity of a mushroom-derived RIP.
