[NUCLEAR STRUCTURE IN THE SECRETORY CELLS OF MAMMARY GLANDS IN LACTATING AND NON-LACTATING RATS]

Area of Science:

• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry
• Genetics

Background:

• The nucleus's structural and functional organization is crucial for cellular processes.
• Key molecular components like chromatin remodelers and splicing factors play vital roles in gene expression.
• Understanding these components' distribution in different functional states is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the structural and functional organization of nuclear compartments.
• To analyze the distribution of chromatin-remodeling protein ATRX, RNA polymerase I and II, and splicing factor SC35.
• To compare these features in mammary gland cells during lactation and non-lactation.

Main Methods:

• Ultrastructural analysis of mammary gland cell nuclei.
• Photometric analysis of immunofluorescent staining for ATRX and SC35.
• Comparison of cellular components in lactating versus non-lactating mammary glands.

Main Results:

• No significant ultrastructural differences were observed between lactating and non-lactating mammary gland nuclei.
• Photometric analysis revealed higher nucleoplasmic immunofluorescent staining intensity for ATRX and SC35 in lactating mammary glands.
• This suggests changes in chromatin structure and splicing factor localization.

Conclusions:

• Lactation induces changes in mammary gland cell nuclear organization and molecular component distribution.
• Increased ATRX and SC35 levels indicate altered chromatin status and splicing factor activity during lactation.
• These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating mammary gland function.