• Title/Summary/Keyword: Oocyte-specific

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Small GTPases and formins in mammalian oocyte maturation: cytoskeletal organizers

  • Kwon, So-Jung;Lim, Hyun-Jung J.
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.38 no.1
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    • pp.1-5
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    • 2011
  • The maturation process of mammalian oocytes accompanies an extensive rearrangement of the cytoskeleton and associated proteins. As this process requires a delicate interplay between the cytoskeleton and its regulators, it is often targeted by various external and internal adversaries that affect the congression and/or segregation of chromosomes. Asymmetric cell division in oocytes also requires specific regulators of the cytoskeleton, including formin-2 and small GTPases. Recent literature providing clues regarding how actin filaments and microtubules interact during spindle migration in mouse oocytes are highlighted in this review.

Steroid Metabolism in the Blackfin Flounder Glyptocephalus stelleri during Oocyte Maturation (기름가자미(Glyptocephalus stelleri) 성숙기 난모세포에서의 성스테로이드 호르몬 대사물질 분석)

  • Lee, Hae Won;Baek, Hea Ja
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.48 no.4
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    • pp.483-488
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    • 2015
  • We studied oocyte steroidogenesis in the blackfin flounder Glyptocephalus stelleri as a region-specific species, in the East Sea of Korea during the spawning season. Maturing oocytes (0.76, 0.82, 0.88, and 0.91 mm in oocyte diameter) were incubated in vitro in the presence of [$^3H$] $17{\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone ($[^3H]17{\alpha}$-OHP) as a precursor. Steroid metabolites were extracted from the incubated medium and oocytes, and the extracts were separated and identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC/MS). The major metabolites produced from $[^3H]17{\alpha}$-OHP were androgens [androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T)] and estrogens [$17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1)] and progestins [$17{\alpha},20{\alpha}$-dihydroxy-4-pregen-3-one ($17{\alpha}20{\alpha}P$) and $17{\alpha}20{\beta}$-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one ($17{\alpha}20{\beta}P$)] in maturing oocytes. The metabolic rate of $17{\alpha}20{\beta}$ was elevated (29.04%) in oocytes measuring 0.88 mm (nucleus migration stage following the induction of germinal vesicle breakdown), but was very low in oocytes measuring 0.76, 0.82, and 0.91 mm (0.42, 0.67, and 2.62%, respectively). From these results, we suggest that $17{\alpha}20{\beta}P$ acts as a maturation-inducing steroid in the blackfin flounder.

Immature Oocyte-Specific Zap70 and Its Functional Analysis in Regulating Oocyte Maturation

  • Kim, Yun-Na;Kim, Eun-Ju;Kim, Eun-Young;Lee, Hyun-Seo;Kim, Kyeoung-Hwa;Lee, Kyung-Ah
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.145-153
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    • 2009
  • Previously, we obtained the list of genes differentially expressed between GV and MII oocytes. Out of the list, we focused on functional analysis of Zap70 in the present study, because it has been known to be expressed only in immune cells. This is the first report about the expression and its function of Zap70 in the oocytes. Synthetic 475 bp Zap70 dsRNA was microinjected into the GV oocytes, and the oocytes were cultured in vitro. In addition to maturation rates, meiotic spindle and chromosome rearrangements, and changes in expression levels of transcripts of three kinases, Erk1/2, JNK, and p38, were determined. Zap70 is highly expressed in immature GV oocytes, and gradually decreased as oocyte matured. When dsRNA of Zap70 was injected into the GV oocytes, Zap70 mRNA specifically and completely decreased by 2 hr and its protein expression also decreased significantly. Absence of Zap70 resulted in maturation inhibition at meiosis I (57%) with abnormalities in meiotic spindle formation and chromosome rearrangement. Concurrently, mRNA expression of Erk2, JNK, and p38, were affected by Zap70 RNAi. Therefore, we concluded that Zap70 is involved in MI-MII transition by affecting expression of MAP kinases.

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Mobile transposon-like element, clone MTi7: Finding its role(s) by RNA interference (Mobile transposon-like element, clone MTi7:RNA interference를 이용한 역할 규명)

  • Park, Chang-Eun;Shin, Mi-Ra;Jeon, Eun-Hyun;Cho, Sung-Won;Lee, Sook-Hwan;Kim, Kyung-Jin;Kim, Nam-Hyung;Lee, Kyung-Ah
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.30 no.4
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    • pp.299-307
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    • 2003
  • Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the mobile transposon-like element, clone MTi7 (MTi7) expression in the mouse ovary and to determine its role(s) in the mouse oocytes by RNA interference (RNAi). Methods: MTi7 mRNA expression was localized by in situ hybridization in day5 and adult ovaries. Double stranded RNA (dsRNA) was prepared for c-mos, a gene with known function as control, and the MTi7. Each dsRNA was microinjected into the germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes then oocyte maturation and intracellular changes were evaluated. Results: In situ hybridization analysis revealed that MTi7 mRNA localized to the oocyte cytoplasm from primordial to preovulatory follicles. After dsRNA injection, we found 43-54% GV arrest of microinjected GV oocytes with 68%-90% decrease in targeted c-mos or MTi7 mRNA. Conclusions: This is the first report of the oocyte-specific expression of the MTi7 mRNA. From results of RNAi for MTi7, we concluded that the MTi7 is involved in the germinal vesicle breakdown in GV oocytes, and MTi7 may be implicated with c-mos for its function. We report here that RNAi provides an outstanding approach to study the function of a gene with unknown functions.

Changes in gene expression associated with oocyte meiosis after $Obox4$ RNAi

  • Lee, Hyun-Seo;Kim, Eun-Young;Lee, Kyung-Ah
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.68-74
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    • 2011
  • Objective: Previously, we found that oocyte specific homeobox (Obox) 4 plays significant role in completion of meiosis specifically at meiosis I-meiosis II (MI-MII) transition. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism of action of $Obox4$ in oocyte maturation by evaluating downstream signal networking. Methods: The $Obox4$ dsRNA was prepared by $in$ $vitro$ transcription and microinjected into the cytoplasm of germinal vesicle oocytes followed by $in$ $vitro$ maturation in the presence or absence of 0.2 mM 3-isobutyl-1-metyl-xanthine. Total RNA was extracted from 200 oocytes of each group using a PicoPure RNA isolation kit then amplified two-rounds. The probe hybridization and data analysis were used by Affymetrix Gene-Chip$^{(R)}$ Mouse Genome 430 2.0 array and GenPlex 3.0 (ISTECH, Korea) software, respectively. Results: Total 424 genes were up (n=80) and down (n=344) regulated after $Obox4$ RNA interference (RNAi). Genes mainly related to metabolic pathways and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was changed. Among the protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, PKC-alpha, beta, gamma were down-regulated and especially the MAPK signaling pathway PKC-gamma was dramatically decreased by $Obox4$ RNAi. In the cell cycle pathway, we evaluated the expression of genes involved in regulation of chromosome separation, and found that these genes were down-regulated. It may cause the aberrant chromosome segregation during MI-MII transition. Conclusion: From the results of this study, it is concluded that $Obox4$ is important upstream regulator of the PKC and anaphase-promoting complex action for maintaining intact germinal vesicle.

Species-specific Expression of Rpia Transcript in Cumulus-oocyte-complex (난자-난구세포 복합체에서 발현하는 Rpia 유전자의 종 특이적 발현)

  • Kim, Yun-Sun;Yoon, Se-Jin;Kim, Eun-Young;Lee, Kyung-Ah
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.34 no.2
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    • pp.95-106
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    • 2007
  • Objective: We previously identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase II (MII) mouse oocyte. The present study was accomplished as a preliminary study to elucidate the role of ribose 5-phosphate isomerase A (Rpia), the essential enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), in oocyte maturation. We observed expression of Rpia in the mouse and porcine oocytes. Methods: Expression pattern of the 11 MII-selective DEGs in various tissues was evaluated using RT-PCR and selected 4 genes highly expressed in the ovary. According to the oocyte-selective expression profile, we selected Rpia as a target for this study. We identified the porcine Rpia sequence using EST clustering technique, since it is not yet registered in public databases. Results: The extended porcine Rpia nucleotide sequence was submitted and registered to GenBank (accession number EF213106). We prepared primers for porcine Rpia according to this sequence. In contrast to the oocyte-specific expression in the mouse, Rpia was expressed in porcine cumulus and granulosa cells as well as in oocytes. Conclusion: This is the first report on the characterization of the Rpia gene in the mouse and porcine ovarian cells. Results of the present study suggest that the mouse and porcine COCs employ different mechanism of glucose metabolism. Therefore, the different metabolic pathways during in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) in different species may lead different maturation rates. It is required to study further regarding the role of Rpia in glucose metabolism of oocytes and follicular cell fore exploring the regulatory mechanism of oocyte maturation as well as for finding the finest culture conditions for in vitro maturation.

Analysis of Protein Patterns of Cellular and Fluidal Components in the Porcine Follicular Contents (돼지 난포내 세포 및 난포액 구성분의 단백질상 분석)

  • 변태호;이중한;박성은;이상호
    • Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.289-299
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    • 1993
  • The polypeptide patterns of cellular and follicular components were analysed by SDS-PAGE and two dimensional(2-D)electrophoresis combined with isoelectric focusing (IEF) to establish protein profiles in each of the components in porcine follicles. Oocyte-cumulus complexes were cultured in M16+FCS+Gn at 39 in an atmosphere of 5% CO$_2$, in air for 35 h. At the end of the culture, the zona-free oocyte, ZP alone and cumulus cells were prepared and analysed either on 10% SDS-PAGE for the protein profile at the first dimensional gel or 2-D protein pattern. The amounts of each samples were determined for the visualization with Coomasie brilliant blue (CBB) or silver staining, thus giving useful information for the identification of specific proteins in the components or appropriate amount of samples for proper visualization. Oocyte showed 25 and 114 kd major protein band. Other minor components were additionally visualized with CBB on the same gel after silver staining procedure. Cumulus cells also showed specific proteins which is not present in the oocytes. The number of cumulus cell was proper to give major bands with CBB and additional minor bands with silver staining. To establish the degree of contamination from the remnant of the corona radiata to the ZP, zonae were differently prepared or analysed by SDS-PAGE.The preparation of the ZP in this study did not showed any contamination judged by the protein profile of the components. Also follicular fluid showed its specific protein profile without any significant differences among the different sizes of follicles. The established protein profile of each follicular component should be helpful for the identification and elimination of contaminated components, i. e., antigen preparation or immunological studies. The results also suggest that the preparation of each components in the study was appropriate and can be used for a further sensitive biochemical analysis in mammalian oocytes and early embryos.

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Simultaneous Detection of Seven Phosphoproteins in a Single Lysate Sample during Oocyte Maturation Process (난자성숙 과정의 단일 시료에서 일곱 가지 인산화 단백질의 동시 분석 방법)

  • Yoon, Se-Jin;Kim, Yun-Sun;Kim, Kyeoung-Hwa;Yoon, Tae-Ki;Lee, Woo-Sik;Lee, Kyung-Ah
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.36 no.3
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    • pp.187-197
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    • 2009
  • Objective: Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins are important in regulating cellular signaling pathways. Bead-based multiplex phosphorylation assay was conducted to detect the phosphorylation of seven proteins to maximize the information obtained from a single lysate of stage-specific mouse oocytes at a time. Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured for 2 h, 8 h, and 16 h, respectively to address phosphorylation status of seven target proteins during oocyte maturation process. We analyzed the changes in phosphorylation at germinal vesicle (GV, 0 h), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD, 2 h), metaphase I (MI, 8 h), and metaphase II (MII, 16 h in vitro or in vivo) mouse oocytes by using Bio-Plex phosphoprotein assay system. We chose seven target proteins, namely, three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and other 4 well known signaling molecules, Akt, GSK-$3{\alpha}/{\beta}$, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, and STAT3 to measure their phosphorylation status. Western blot analysis and kinase inhibitor treatment for ERK1/2, JNK, and Akt during in vitro maturation of oocytes were conducted for the confirmation. Results: Phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, p38 MAPK and STAT3 was increased over 3 folds up to 20 folds, while phosphorylation of the other three signal molecules, Akt, GSK-$3{\alpha}/{\beta}$, and $I{\kapa}B{\alpha}$ was less than 3 folds. All of these results except for Akt were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: This is the first report on the new and valuable method measuring many phosphoproteins simultaneously in one minute sample such as oocyte lysates. All of the three MAPKs, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK are involved in the process of mouse oocyte maturation. In addition, STAT3 might be important regulator of oocyte maturation, while Akt phosphorylation at Serine 473 may not be involved in the regulation of oocyte maturation.

Differentially Expressed mRNA Profiles between Immature Germinal Vesicle(GV) and Mature Metaphase II(MII) Mouse Oocytes (미성숙 난자와 성숙 난자에서 서로 다르게 발현하는 유전자에 관한 연구)

  • Yoon Se-Jin;Chung Hyung-Min;Cha Kwang-Yul;Kim Nam-Hyung;Lee Kyung-Ah
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.35-42
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    • 2004
  • Oocyte maturation refers to the process that prophase I arrested germinal vesicle(GV) drives the progression of meiosis to metaphase II(MII) to have the capacity for fertilization and embryo development. To better understand the molecular mechanism(s) involved in oocyte maturation, we identified differentially expressed genes(DEGs) between GV and MII mouse oocytes using a new innovative annealing control primer (ACP) technology. Using 20 ACPs, we successfully cloned 32 DEGs between GV and Mll oocytes, and 26 out of these 32 DEGs were functionally known genes. Four genes including Pscd2 were GV-specific, 10 genes including PKD2 and CSN3 were highly expressed in GV oocytes(GV-selective), and 12 genes including Diva were highly expressed in MII oocytes (MII-selective). Ail of the genes identified in this study were first reported in the oocyte expression using ACP system and especially, we could characterize the existence of PKD-CSW signaling pathwayin the mouse oocytes. Results of the present study would provide insight for studying molecular mechanisms regulating oocyte maturation.

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The Interaction between Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) on Nuclear Maturation of Mouse Oocytes by Using Their Inhibitor

  • Cha, Soo-Kyung;Kim, Tae-Hyung;Eum, Jin-Hee;Park, Kang-Hee;Park, Eun-A;Kim, Seung-Bum;Chung, Mi-Kyung;Lee, Dong-Ryul;Ko, Jung-Jae
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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    • 2002.11a
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    • pp.113-113
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    • 2002
  • The stimulatory effect of EGF and FSH on oocyte maturation have been reported in various mammalian species. And some reports presented FSH enhanced the effect of EGF on oocyte maturation. But, the interaction between EGF and FSH on nuclear maturation of mammalian oocytes is not fully understood. We observed the effect of EGF and FSH on nuclear maturation during in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes. Also, we examined the interaction between EGF and FSH on nuclear maturation of mouse oocytes using the EGFR inhibitor or FSH inhibitor. Germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes were obtained from 3-4weeks PMSG primed BCFI hybrid mice and cultured in TCM-199 medium with 0.4%PVP supplemented with/without EGF (1ng/ml), FSH (1ug/ml), EGFR specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Tyrphostin AG 1478 (500nM), MAP kinase kinase inhibitor : U0126 (20uM) or PD 98059 (100uM) for 14-l5hr. Rapid staining method were used for the assessment of nuclear maturation. Nuclear maturation rates of EGF indjor FSH-treated group were significantly higher than those of control group. Treatment of EGFR inhibitor significantly block the nuclear maturation of GV oocyte in EGF-treated group, but it did not block those of GV oocyte in FSH-treated or FSH and EGF-treated group. Treatment of FSH inhibitor(U0126, PD98059) significantly block the nuclear maturation of EGF-treated group, FSH-treated and FSH and EGF-treated group. These results show that EGF has a stimulatory effect as well as different action pathway with FSH on in-vitro maturation of mouse oocyte in vitro. Therefore, further studies will be needed to find the signaling pathway of EGF associated with nuclear maturation.

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