Rabindranath De la fuente
Rabindranath De La Fuente
Assistant Professor of Large Animal Reproduction, Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Contact information
University of Pennsylvania
Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research
School of Veterinary Medicine
Department of Clinical Studies
New Bolton Center
382 West Street Road
Myrin Bldg - Room 144
Kennett Square, PA 19348
Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research
School of Veterinary Medicine
Department of Clinical Studies
New Bolton Center
382 West Street Road
Myrin Bldg - Room 144
Kennett Square, PA 19348
Office: 610-925-6256
Fax: 610-925-6821
Fax: 610-925-6821
Email:
rfuente@vet.upenn.edu
rfuente@vet.upenn.edu
Education:
DVM. (Veterinary Medicine)
National Autonomous University of Mexico. Mexico City. Mexico., 1989.
M.Sc (Biomedical Sciences)
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada, 1993.
Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences)
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada, 1998.
DVM. (Veterinary Medicine)
National Autonomous University of Mexico. Mexico City. Mexico., 1989.
M.Sc (Biomedical Sciences)
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada, 1993.
Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences)
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada, 1998.
Post-Graduate Training
Research Fellow, Department of Biomedical Research, Reproductive Biology Group, National Medical Center, Mexico, City. Mexico., 1986-1987.
Resident Veterinarian (Theriogenology), LICONSA, Mexico, Genetic Improvement and Embryo Transfer Center (Bovine Breeding Center), Mexico., 1988-1990.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Jackson Laboratory, In Vitro Gametogenesis: Transcriptional Regulation of the Oocyte Genome, 1998-2002.
Permanent linkResearch Fellow, Department of Biomedical Research, Reproductive Biology Group, National Medical Center, Mexico, City. Mexico., 1986-1987.
Resident Veterinarian (Theriogenology), LICONSA, Mexico, Genetic Improvement and Embryo Transfer Center (Bovine Breeding Center), Mexico., 1988-1990.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Jackson Laboratory, In Vitro Gametogenesis: Transcriptional Regulation of the Oocyte Genome, 1998-2002.
Description of Research Expertise
Description of Research ExpertiseRESEARCH INTERESTS
Research in my Laboratory is focused on:
I.) Regulation of Large-Scale Chromatin Structure and Epigenetic Control of Gene Expression during Oogenesis
Chromatin configuration in the nucleus or germinal vesicle (GV) of mammalian oocytes undergoes dynamic epigenetic modifications during oocyte growth. A crucial developmental transition at the culmination of oogenesis, large-scale chromatin remodeling in the GV is essential to confer the female gamete with meiotic and developmental potential. Using several models for the experimental manipulation of chromatin structure and function in combination with cell and molecular biology approaches our current work seeks to determine the cellular pathways and factors that are involved in remodeling chromatin in the mammalian oocyte genome.
II). Role of Chromatin Modifications during Meiosis
Centromeric heterochromatin formation is essential for chromosome architecture, transcriptional silencing and chromosome segregation.
However, little is known concerning the epigenetic control of heterochromatin formation in the mammalian germ line. Using RNA interference (RNAi) we have begun to explore the role of ATRX, (a heterochromatin binding protein with chromatin remodeling activity) during meiosis. ATRX is present at centromeric domains in the germinal vesicle of mouse oocytes and becomes exclusively associated with centromeres of chromosomes at metaphase I or metaphase II of meiosis, where it is required to mediate chromosome-microtubule interactions in the female gamete. Moreover, we currently study the role of the lymphocyte-specific helicase (LSH) on meiotic chromosome synapsis, heterochromatin formation and maintenance of genomic stability in the female germ line.
KEY WORDS:
Meiosis, chromatin remodeling, centromeric heterochromatin, epigenetic modifications
Laboratory Members:
Claudia Baumann Ph.D. (Charite, Universitätsmedizin, Berlin)
Selected Publications
Yang F, Baumann C, and De La Fuente R.: Persistence of histone H2AX phosphorylation after meiotic chromosome synapsis and abnormal centromere cohesion in Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) null oocytes. Developmental Biology 331: 326-338, July 2009.Vanderwall DK., Baumann C., Viveiros M., Sertich P., Kelleman A., Maenhoudt, C., Jacobson, C., and De La Fuente R. : Characterizing the meiotic spindle configuration and chromosome complement of in vivo matured equine oocytes (Submitted). Animal Reproduction Science 2009.
Sertich P, Baumann C, Engiles J, Kelleman A and De La Fuente R. : A case of X-chromosomal deletion in a high performance mare detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). (Submitted). Anim. Reproduction Science 2009.
De La Fuente R., Baumann, C., Yang, F. and Viveiros M.M. : Chromatin Remodeling in Mammalian Meiosis. Oogenesis: The Universal process of Oogenesis: 1st Edition. M. H. Verlhac (eds.). John Wiley & Sons. Ltd, London, U.K. 2009 Notes: (Peer reviewed) In press.
De La Fuente R.: Chromatin modifications in the germinal vesicle (GV) of mammalian oocytes. Dev Biol. 292: 1-12, 2006.
Baumann C., Schmidtmann A., Muegge K., and De La Fuente R*. : Association of ATRX with pericentric heterochromatin and the Y Chromosome of Neonatal Mouse Spermatogonia *Corresponding Author. BMC Mol Biol 9(29): 1-18, Mar 2008.
Baumann C. and De La Fuente R*. : ATRX marks the inactive X chromosome (Xi) in somatic cells and during imprinted X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in trophoblast stem cells. E-pub ahead of print: *Corresponding Author Chromosoma 118(2): 209-222, 2009.
De La Fuente R, Plante L, King WA.: Cell cycle analysis in the pre-attachment bovine embryo. Can J Anim Sci 72: 1023-1024, 1992.
Loskutoff NM, Pollard JW, Scodras JM, De La Fuente R, Plante C, Hill B, Johnson W, Betteridge KJ: Pregnancies produced from single blastomeres cultured after isolation from 4 cell bovine embryos generated in vitro. Guelph Dairy Research Report, OAC Publication 1691: 60-68, 1991.
Baumann, C and De La Fuente, R.: Independent regulation of DNA methylation and histone methylation in the chromosomes of murine neonatal spermatogonia. Biology of Reproduction 2006 Notes: Platform Presentation.
Loskutoff NM, Pollard JW, Scodras JM, De La Fuente R, King WA, Betteridge KJ.: Production of blastocysts from single blastomeres cultured after isolation from 4 cell bovine embryos generated in vitro. Theriogenology 35(1): 233, 1992.
De La Fuente R, Plante L, King WA.: X Chromosome inactivation in the pre-attachment bovine embryo. Proc Int Embryo Transfer Soc. Theriogenology 39: 220, 1993.
Lavoir MC, Rumph ND, De La Fuente R, Barnes F, King WA, Betteridge KJ.: The influence of cytoplasmic age on the development of embryos made by nuclear transfer. Theriogenology 43(1): 341, 1995.
De La Fuente R, King WA.: Cell cycle synchronization in the bovine blastocyst. J Reprod Fertil 13: 39, 1994.
Cassar G, De La Fuente R, Yu Z, King GJ, King WA.: Developmental diversity and sex chromosome complement in pre- and post-hatching pig embryos. Regina Sk. Proc Can Soc Animal Science 1994.
Cassar G, De La Fuente R, Yu Z, King GJ, King WA.: Sex chromosome complement and developmental diversity in pre- and post-hatching porcine embryos. Theriogenology 44: 879-884, 1995.
De La Fuente R, Hahnel AH, King WA.: X-Inactive-specific transcript (Xist) expression in the pre-attachment bovine embryo. Cytogenet Cell Genet 74: 229, 1996.
Winger Q, De La Fuente R, Plante L, King WA, Armstrong DT, Watson AJ.: Assessment of bovine parthenogenetic development and chromosomal complement following ethanol activation. Theriogenology 43(1): 354, 1995.
De La Fuente R, King WA.: Distribution of ICM and trophectoderm cells in murine, porcine and bovine blastocysts. J Reprod Fertil 16: 5-6, 1995.
De La Fuente R, King WA.: Use of a chemically defined system for the direct comparison of ICM and trophectoderm distribution in murine, porcine and bovine embryos. Zygote 5: 309-320, 1997.
De La Fuente R, King WA.: Alterations in DNA content during the first cell cycle in bovine parthenotes. Biol Reprod 56(Suppl 1): 129, 1997.
Winger Q, De La Fuente R, King WA, Armstrong DT, Watson AJ.: Bovine parthenogenesis is characterized by abnormal chromosomal complements: Implications for maternal and paternal codependence during early bovine development. Dev Genet 21: 160-166, 1997.
De La Fuente R, King WA.: Developmental consequences of karyokinesis without cytokinesis during the first mitotic cell cycle in bovine parthenotes. Biol Reprod 58: 952-962, 1998.
De La Fuente R, Hahnel A, Basrur PK, King WA.: X inactive-specific transcript (Xist) expression and X chromosome inactivation in the pre-attachment bovine embryo. Biol Reprod 60: 769-775, 1999.
De La Fuente R, Eppig J.J.: Companion granulosa cells modulate transcription and chromatin remodeling in the germinal vesicle of mouse oocytes. Biology of Reproduction 2000.
De La Fuente R, O'Brien MJ, Eppig JJ.: Epidermal growth factor enhances preimplantation developmental competence of maturing mouse oocytes. Hum Reprod 14(12): 3060-3068, 1999.
De La Fuente R, Eppig JJ.: Transcriptional activity of the mouse oocyte genome: companion granulosa cells modulate transcription and chromatin remodeling. Dev Biol. 229: 224-236, 2001.
Libby BJ, Cobb J, De La Fuente R, O'Brien M, Wigglesworth K, Handel MA, Eppig JJ, Schimenti JC.: The mouse meiotic mutation mei 1 disrupts chromosome synapsis with sexually dimorphic consequences for meiotic progession. Dev Biol 242(2): 174-187, 2002.
De La Fuente R, Viveiros MM, Eppig JJ.: Involvement of protein phosphatases and histone deacetylases in transcriptional silencing and chromatin remodeling in the germinal vesicle of mouse oocytes. Biology of Reproduction 2001.
Eppig JJ, Viveiros MM, Marin-Bivens C and De La Fuente R.: Regulation of Mammalian Oocyte Maturation. In: The Ovary. Science. P. Long and E.Y. Adashi. (eds.). Elsevier, San Diego, California. 2003.
Hübner K, Fuhrmann G, Christenson LK, Kehler J, Reinbold R, De La Fuente R, Wood J, Strauss, III J, Boiani M, and Schöler HR.: Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Culture give rise to Oocytes. Science 300: 1251-1256, 2003.
*De La Fuente R, Viveiros MM, Wigglesworth K and Eppig JJ.: ATRX, a Member of the SNF2 Family of Helicase /ATPases, is required for Chromosome Alignment and Meiotic Spindle Organization in Metaphase II Stage Mouse Oocytes. Dev Biol 272: 1-14, 2004 Notes: *Corresponding Author.
*De La Fuente R, Viveiros MM, Burns KH, Adashi EY, Matzuk MM, and Eppig JJ.: Major Chromatin Remodeling in the Germinal Vesicle (GV) of Mammalian Oocytes is Dispensable for Global Transcriptional Silencing but Required for Centromeric Heterochromatin Function. Dev Biol 275: 447-458, 2004 Notes: *Corresponding Author.
Tanaka M, Kihara M, Hennebold JD, Eppig JJ, Viveiros MM, Emery BR, Carrell DT, Kirkman NJ, Zhou J, Bondy CA, Becker M, Misteli T, Schultz RM, De La Fuente R, King GJ and Adashi EY.: Expression of the oocyte-specific H1 linker histone gene (mH1fo) is temporally coupled to the initiation of oocyte growth. Biol Reprod 72(1): 135-142, 2005.
Yang F., De La Fuente R., Leu NA., Baumann C., McLaughlin KJ., Wang PJ.: SYCP2 is required for synaptonemal complex assembly and chromosomal synapsis during male meiosis. J Cell Biol 173(4): 497-507, 2006.
*De La Fuente R., Baumann C., Fan T., Schmidtmann A., Dobrinski I., Muegge K.: Lsh is required for meiotic chromosome synapsis and retrotransposon silencing in female germ cells. Nature Cell Biology 8(12): 1448-1454, 2006 Notes: *Corresponding Author.
Baumann, C and De La Fuente, R.: Ontogeny of the chromatin remodeling protein (ATRX) and its potential interaction with death-domain associated protein (DAXX) during mouse spermatogenesis. Biology of Reproduction 2005.