Septin 7 is required for orderly meiosis in mouse oocytes

Sen Li, Xiang Hong Ou, Liang Wei, Zhen Bo Wang, Qing Hua Zhang, Ying-Chun Ouyang, Yi Hou, Heide Schatten, Qing-Yuan Sun

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30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Septin 7 is a conserved GTP-binding protein. In this study, we examined the localization and functions of Septin 7 during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. Immunofluorescent analysis showed that intrinsic Septin 7 localized to the spindles from the pro-MI stage to the MII stage. Knockdown of Septin 7 by siRNA microinjection caused abnormal spindles and affected extrusion of the first polar body. Septin 7 mRNA tagged with myc was injected into GV stage oocytes to overexpress Septin 7. Overexpressed Myc-Septin 7 localized to the spindle and beneath the plasma membrane displaying long filaments. Fluorescence intensity of spindle α-tubulin in myc-Septin 7-injected oocytes was weaker than that of the control group, demonstrating that Septin 7 may influence recruitment of α-tubulin to spindles. MII oocytes injected with myc-Septin 7 exhibited abnormal chromosome alignment, and parthenogenetic activation failed to allow extrusion of the second polar body, suggesting that overexpression of Septin 7 may affect extrusion of the polar body by disturbing the alignment of chromosomes and regulating α-tubulin recruitment to spindles. In summary, Septin 7 may regulate meiotic cell cycle progression by affecting microtubule cytoskeletal dynamics in mouse oocytes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3211-3218
Number of pages8
JournalCell Cycle
Volume11
Issue number17
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Meiosis
  • Mouse
  • Oocyte
  • Overexpression
  • Septin 7

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