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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Cell Type-specific Gene Expression Profiling in the Mouse Liver
Published on: September 17, 2019
Changes in liver gene expression of Azin1 knock-out mice
Tao Wan1, Yuan Hu, Wenlu Zhang
1Key Laboratory of Molecular Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
Abstract:
The ornithine decarboxylase antizyme inhibitor (AZI) was discovered as a protein that binds to the regulatory protein antizyme and inhibits the ability of antizyme to interact with the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Several studies showed that the AZI protein is important for cell growth in vitro. However, the function of this gene in vivo remained unclear. In our study, we analyzed the transcriptional profiles of livers on the 19th day of pregnancy of Azin1 knock-out mice and wild-type mice using the Agilent oligonucleotide array. Compared to the wild-type mice, in the liver of Azin1 knock-out mice 1812 upregulated genes (fold change > or = 2) and 1466 downregulated genes (fold change < or = 0.5) were showed in the microarray data. Altered genes were then assigned to functional categories and mapped to signaling pathways. These genes have functions such as regulation of the metabolism, transcription and translation, polyamine biosynthesis, embryonic morphogenesis, regulation of cell cycle and proliferation signal transduction cascades, immune response and apoptosis. Real-time PCR was used to confirm the differential expression of some selected genes. Overall, our study provides novel understanding of the biological functions of AZI in vivo.
Insights
Ornithine decarboxylase antizyme inhibitor (AZI) plays a crucial role in vivo. Azin1 knockout mice revealed significant gene expression changes in liver, impacting metabolism, cell cycle, and immune response.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Ornithine decarboxylase antizyme inhibitor (AZI) regulates ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) via antizyme.
- AZI's role in cell growth in vitro is established, but its in vivo function remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the in vivo biological functions of AZI.
- To analyze the transcriptional profile of Azin1 knockout mouse livers during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Agilent oligonucleotide microarray analysis of liver tissue from Azin1 knockout and wild-type mice on day 19 of pregnancy.
- Functional categorization and pathway mapping of differentially expressed genes.
- Real-time PCR validation of selected gene expressions.
Main Results:
- Azin1 knockout livers showed 1812 upregulated and 1466 downregulated genes compared to wild-type.
- Affected genes are involved in metabolism, transcription, translation, polyamine biosynthesis, embryonic morphogenesis, cell cycle, proliferation, signal transduction, immune response, and apoptosis.
- Differential gene expression patterns were confirmed via real-time PCR.
Conclusions:
- AZI significantly influences a wide range of biological processes in vivo.
- This study provides novel insights into the in vivo functions of AZI, particularly in liver during pregnancy.
