Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Detection of DNA Double-Stranded Breaks in Mouse Oocytes
07:46

Detection of DNA Double-Stranded Breaks in Mouse Oocytes

Published on: June 23, 2023

Doxorubicin induces early embryo apoptosis by inhibiting poly(ADP ribose) polymerase

Qing-Ling Wang1, Shao-Chen Sun, Jemesbond Han

  • 1Department of Animal Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk, Cheongju 361-763, South Korea.

In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|September 6, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Doxorubicin exposure halts early mouse embryo development by disrupting DNA repair and increasing apoptosis. This chemotherapy agent impacts pre-implantation development, affecting gene expression and cellular integrity.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Doxorubicin is a common chemotherapy drug.
  • Its impact on early mouse embryonic development is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of doxorubicin on early mouse embryonic development.
  • To characterize doxorubicin's impact on gene expression related to apoptosis and DNA repair.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time RT-PCR to assess apoptosis and PARP gene expression.
  • TUNEL assay to detect apoptosis in blastocysts.
  • Western blot to analyze cleaved PARP (c-PARP).

Main Results:

  • Doxorubicin exposure caused cytoplasmic fragmentation, DNA condensation, and cytoskeletal disruption.
  • Altered expression of DNA repair and apoptosis genes observed.
  • Blocked pre-implantation embryonic development and increased apoptosis index.

Conclusions:

  • Doxorubicin inhibits early mouse embryonic development.
  • It disrupts apoptosis-related gene expression and inactivates DNA repair via PARP.
  • Affects DNA synthesis and repair, leading to developmental arrest.

More Related Videos

Preparation of Cell-lines for Conditional Knockdown of Gene Expression and Measurement of the Knockdown Effects on E4orf4-Induced Cell Death13:54

Preparation of Cell-lines for Conditional Knockdown of Gene Expression and Measurement of the Knockdown Effects on E4orf4-Induced Cell Death

Published on: October 21, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Nondisjunction01:21

Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers.  Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis.  Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...
Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.