1
|
Tscherner AK, McClatchie T, Macaulay AD, Baltz JM. Relationship of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to RNA Sequencing (RNAseq) transcriptome identifies mouse preimplantation embryo reference genes†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:601-617. [PMID: 37669129 PMCID: PMC10651071 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous reference genes for use with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) have been used for oocytes, eggs, and preimplantation embryos. However, none are actually suitable because of their large variations in expression between developmental stages. To address this, we produced a standardized and merged RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data set by combining multiple publicly available RNAseq data sets that spanned mouse GV oocytes, MII eggs, and 1-cell, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, morula, and blastocyst stage embryos to identify transcripts with essentially constant expression across all stages. Their expression was then measured using RT-qPCR, with which they did not exhibit constant expression but instead revealed a fixed quantitative relationship between measurements by the two techniques. From this, the relative amounts of total messenger RNA at each stage from the GV oocyte through blastocyst stages were calculated. The quantitative relationship between measurements by RNAseq and RT-qPCR was then used to find genes predicted to have constant expression across stages in RT-qPCR. Candidates were assessed by RT-qPCR to confirm constant expression, identifying Hmgb3 and Rb1cc1 or the geometric mean of those plus either Taf1d or Cd320 as suitable reference genes. This work not only identified transcripts with constant expression from mouse GV oocytes to blastocysts, but also determined a general quantitative relationship between expression measured by RNAseq and RT-qPCR across stages that revealed the relative levels of total mRNA at each stage. The standardized and merged RNA data set should also prove useful in determining transcript expression in mouse oocytes, eggs, and embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison K Tscherner
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Taylor McClatchie
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jay M Baltz
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abedini A, Landry DA, Macaulay AD, Vaishnav H, Parbhakar A, Ibrahim D, Salehi R, Maranda V, Macdonald E, Vanderhyden BC. SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling subunit Smarca4/BRG1 is essential for female fertility†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:279-291. [PMID: 36440965 PMCID: PMC9930400 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian folliculogenesis is a complex process that involves the regulation of chromatin structure for gene expression and oocyte meiotic resumption. The SWI/SNF complex is a chromatin remodeler using either Brahma-regulated gene 1 (BRG1) or BRM (encoded by Smarca4 and Smarca2, respectively) as its catalytic subunit. SMARCA4 loss of expression is associated with a rare type of ovarian cancer; however, its function during folliculogenesis remains poorly understood. In this study, we describe the phenotype of BRG1 mutant mice to better understand its role in female fertility. Although no tumor emerged from BRG1 mutant mice, conditional depletion of Brg1 in the granulosa cells (GCs) of Brg1fl/fl;Amhr2-Cre mice caused sterility, whereas conditional depletion of Brg1 in the oocytes of Brg1fl/fl;Gdf9-Cre mice resulted in subfertility. Recovery of cumulus-oocyte complexes after natural mating or superovulation showed no significant difference in the Brg1fl/fl;Amhr2-Cre mutant mice and significantly fewer oocytes in the Brg1fl/fl;Gdf9-Cre mutant mice compared with controls, which may account for the subfertility. Interestingly, the evaluation of oocyte developmental competence by in vitro culture of retrieved two-cell embryos indicated that oocytes originating from the Brg1fl/fl;Amhr2-Cre mice did not reach the blastocyst stage and had higher rates of mitotic defects, including micronuclei. Together, these results indicate that BRG1 plays an important role in female fertility by regulating granulosa and oocyte functions during follicle growth and is needed for the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Abedini
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - David A Landry
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Angus D Macaulay
- Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Het Vaishnav
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ashna Parbhakar
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dalia Ibrahim
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Reza Salehi
- Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vincent Maranda
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Macdonald
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Barbara C Vanderhyden
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Karen Nenonene E, Trottier-Lavoie M, Marchais M, Bastien A, Gilbert I, Macaulay AD, Khandjian EW, Maria Luciano A, Lodde V, Viger RS, Robert C. Roles of the cumulus-oocyte transzonal network and the Fragile X protein family in oocyte competence. Reproduction 2023; 165:209-219. [PMID: 36445258 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In brief RNA granules travel through the cumulus cell network of transzonal projections which is associated with oocyte developmental competence, and RNA packaging involves RNA-binding proteins of the Fragile X protein family. Abstract The determinants of oocyte developmental competence have puzzled scientists for decades. It is known that follicular conditions can nurture the production of a high-quality oocyte, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Somatic cumulus cells most proximal to the oocyte are known to have cellular extensions that reach across the zona pellucida and contact with the oocyte plasma membrane. Herein, it was found that transzonal projections (TZPs) network quality is associated with developmental competence. Knowing that ribonucleoparticles are abundant within TZPs, the distribution of RNA-binding proteins was studied. The Fragile X-related proteins (FXR1P and FXR2P) and two partnering protein families, namely cytoplasmic FMRP-interacting protein and nuclear FMRP-interacting protein, exhibited distinctive patterns consistent with roles in regulating mRNA packaging, transport, and translation. The expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-FMRP fusion protein in cumulus cells showed active granule formation and their transport and transfer through filipodia connecting with neighboring cells. Near the projections' ends was found the cytoskeletal anchoring protein Filamin A and active protein synthesis sites. This study highlights key proteins involved in delivering mRNA to the oocyte. Thus, cumulus cells appear to indeed support the development of high-quality oocytes via the transzonal network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elolo Karen Nenonene
- Département des sciences animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation.,Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI).,Réseau Québécois en Reproduction (RQR), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Mallorie Trottier-Lavoie
- Département des sciences animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation.,Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI).,Réseau Québécois en Reproduction (RQR), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Mathilde Marchais
- Département des sciences animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation.,Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI).,Réseau Québécois en Reproduction (RQR), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexandre Bastien
- Département des sciences animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation.,Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI).,Réseau Québécois en Reproduction (RQR), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabelle Gilbert
- Département des sciences animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation.,Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI).,Réseau Québécois en Reproduction (RQR), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Angus D Macaulay
- Département des sciences animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation.,Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI)
| | - Edouard W Khandjian
- Centre de recherche CERVO, Département de psychiatrie et de neurosciences, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Alberto Maria Luciano
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Lodde
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Robert S Viger
- Département d'obstétrique, gynécologie et reproduction, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI).,Réseau Québécois en Reproduction (RQR), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Claude Robert
- Département des sciences animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation.,Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI).,Réseau Québécois en Reproduction (RQR), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Macaulay AD, Ortman CS, Moore KRJ, Baltz JM. Initial detachment of the mouse oocyte from the zona pellucida is mediated by metallopeptidase activity†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:81-97. [PMID: 36179245 PMCID: PMC9843679 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The fully grown mammalian oocyte is tightly attached to its extracellular matrix shell, the zona pellucida (ZP), but the oocyte detaches from the ZP shortly after ovulation is signaled. The mechanism by which the oocyte detaches from the ZP is unknown. Because ZP proteins are initially secreted as transmembrane proteins, we hypothesized that attachment of the oocyte to the ZP is mediated by transmembrane ZP proteins and that detachment occurs when these proteins are cleaved by peptidases. To identify potential candidates for the type of peptidase, we used mouse oocyte transcriptome data sets to identify candidate peptidases localized to the exterior of the oocyte. Screening with a set of small molecule inhibitors that broadly target the families of peptidases represented by the candidates, we found that only inhibitors of the M10 and M12 families of metallopeptidases prevented detachment. Using more selective inhibitors indicated that detachment was prevented by an inhibitor, GI254023X, developed to be selective for ADAM10 in the M12 family but not by those considered selective for the M10 family or for other M12 metallopeptidases expressed in oocytes. Using an antibody that binds to an epitope just distal to the likely cleavage site of murine ZP3 showed that this site was gradually lost from the oocyte surface during the period when detachment occurs and that inhibiting metallopeptidase activity prevented the loss of this epitope. Taken together, these results indicate that detachment of the oocyte from the ZP is mediated by a metallopeptidase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chyna S Ortman
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jay M Baltz
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tscherner AK, Macaulay AD, Ortman CS, Baltz JM. Initiation of cell volume regulation and unique cell volume regulatory mechanisms in mammalian oocytes and embryos. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:7117-7133. [PMID: 33634482 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The period beginning with the signal for ovulation, when a fully-grown oocyte progresses through meiosis to become a mature egg that is fertilized and develops as a preimplantation embryo, is crucial for healthy development. The early preimplantation embryo is unusually sensitive to cell volume perturbations, with even moderate decreases in volume or dysregulation of volume-regulatory mechanisms resulting in developmental arrest. To prevent this, early embryos possess mechanisms of cell volume control that are apparently unique to them. These rely on the accumulation of glycine and betaine (N, N, N-trimethylglycine) as organic osmolytes-compounds that can provide intracellular osmotic support without the deleterious effects of inorganic ions. Preimplantation embryos also have the same mechanisms as somatic cells that mediate rapid responses to deviations in cell volume, which rely on inorganic ion transport. Both the unique, embryo-specific mechanisms that use glycine and betaine and the inorganic ion-dependent mechanisms undergo major changes during meiotic maturation and preimplantation development. The most profound changes occur immediately after ovulation is triggered. Before this, oocytes cannot regulate their volume, since they are strongly attached to their rigid extracellular matrix shell, the zona pellucida. After ovulation is triggered, the oocyte detaches from the zona pellucida and first becomes capable of independent volume regulation. A complex set of developmental changes in each cell volume-regulatory mechanism continues through egg maturation and preimplantation development. The unique cell volume-regulatory mechanisms in eggs and preimplantation embryos and the developmental changes they undergo appear critical for normal healthy embryo development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison K Tscherner
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angus D Macaulay
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chyna S Ortman
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jay M Baltz
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Macaulay AD, Allais A, FitzHarris G. Chromosome dynamics and spindle microtubule establishment in mouse embryos. FASEB J 2020; 34:8057-8067. [PMID: 32329130 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902947r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome segregation errors in mammalian embryos are common and jeopardize embryo health. Here, we perform for the first time 4-Dimensional imaging and tracking of chromosomes and centromeres through each preimplantation mitotic cell division in mouse embryos to define the normal dynamics of chromosome segregation. We show that a microtubule (MT)-dependent inward movement of chromosomes occurs at the time of nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD), particularly in the earliest cell divisions, to position chromosomes prior to spindle assembly. Establishment of a rudimentary metaphase plate occurs immediately after NEBD, and is followed by a progressive alignment and biorientation of mitotic chromosomes. Stable end-on kinetochore-MT attachments form rapidly and attachment errors are uncommon. Altogether our data describe a rapid and efficient spindle assembly pathway that apparently minimizes the need for canonical MT attachment error correction in normally dividing embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angus D Macaulay
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Adélaïde Allais
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Greg FitzHarris
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of OBGYN, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Macaulay AD, Gilbert I, Scantland S, Fournier E, Ashkar F, Bastien A, Saadi HAS, Gagné D, Sirard MA, Khandjian ÉW, Richard FJ, Hyttel P, Robert C. Cumulus Cell Transcripts Transit to the Bovine Oocyte in Preparation for Maturation. Biol Reprod 2015; 94:16. [PMID: 26586844 PMCID: PMC4809558 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.127571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
So far, the characteristics of a good quality egg have been elusive, similar to the nature of the physiological, cellular, and molecular cues leading to its production both in vivo and in vitro. Current understanding highlights a strong and complex interdependence between the follicular cells and the gamete. Secreted factors induce cellular responses in the follicular cells, and direct exchange of small molecules from the cumulus cells to the oocyte through gap junctions controls meiotic arrest. Studying the interconnection between the cumulus cells and the oocyte, we previously demonstrated that the somatic cells also contribute transcripts to the gamete. Here, we show that these transcripts can be visualized moving down the transzonal projections (TZPs) to the oocyte, and that a time course analysis revealed progressive RNA accumulation in the TZPs, indicating that RNA transfer occurs before the initiation of meiosis resumption under a timetable fitting with the acquisition of developmental competence. A comparison of the identity of the nascent transcripts trafficking in the TZPs, with those in the oocyte increasing in abundance during maturation, and that are present on the oocyte's polyribosomes, revealed transcripts common to all three fractions, suggesting the use of transferred transcripts for translation. Furthermore, the removal of potential RNA trafficking by stripping the cumulus cells caused a significant reduction in maturation rates, indicating the need for the cumulus cell RNA transfer to the oocyte. These results offer a new perspective to the determinants of oocyte quality and female fertility, as well as provide insight that may eventually be used to improve in vitro maturation conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angus D Macaulay
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabelle Gilbert
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Sara Scantland
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Eric Fournier
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Fazl Ashkar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Reproductive Biology Lab, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandre Bastien
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Habib A Shojaei Saadi
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Dominic Gagné
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc-André Sirard
- Département de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Édouard W Khandjian
- Département de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - François J Richard
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Poul Hyttel
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claude Robert
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Macaulay AD, Gilbert I, Caballero J, Barreto R, Fournier E, Tossou P, Sirard MA, Clarke HJ, Khandjian ÉW, Richard FJ, Hyttel P, Robert C. The gametic synapse: RNA transfer to the bovine oocyte. Biol Reprod 2014; 91:90. [PMID: 25143353 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.119867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Even after several decades of quiescent storage in the ovary, the female germ cell is capable of reinitiating transcription to build the reserves that are essential to support early embryonic development. In the current model of mammalian oogenesis, there exists bilateral communication between the gamete and the surrounding cells that is limited to paracrine signaling and direct transfer of small molecules via gap junctions existing at the end of the somatic cells' projections that are in contact with the oolemma. The purpose of this work was to explore the role of cumulus cell projections as a means of conductance of large molecules, including RNA, to the mammalian oocyte. By studying nascent RNA with confocal and transmission electron microscopy in combination with transcript detection, we show that the somatic cells surrounding the fully grown bovine oocyte contribute to the maternal reserves by actively transferring large cargo, including mRNA and long noncoding RNA. This occurrence was further demonstrated by the reconstruction of cumulus-oocyte complexes with transfected cumulus cells transferring a synthetic transcript. We propose selective transfer of transcripts occurs, the delivery of which is supported by a remarkable synapselike vesicular trafficking connection between the cumulus cells and the gamete. This unexpected exogenous contribution to the maternal stores offers a new perspective on the determinants of female fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angus D Macaulay
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabelle Gilbert
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Julieta Caballero
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Rodrigo Barreto
- Veterinarian Medicine Department, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eric Fournier
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Prudencio Tossou
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc-André Sirard
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Hugh J Clarke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Édouard W Khandjian
- Département de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Francois J Richard
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Poul Hyttel
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claude Robert
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Scantland S, Tessaro I, Macabelli CH, Macaulay AD, Cagnone G, Fournier É, Luciano AM, Robert C. The adenosine salvage pathway as an alternative to mitochondrial production of ATP in maturing mammalian oocytes. Biol Reprod 2014; 91:75. [PMID: 25078684 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.120931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the oocyte is the largest cell in the body and an unavoidable phase in life, its physiology is still poorly understood, and other cell types provide little insight into its unique nature. Even basic cellular functions in the oocyte such as energy metabolism are not yet fully understood. It is known that the mitochondria of the female gamete exhibit an immature form characterized by limited energy production from glucose and oxidative phosphorylation. We show that the bovine oocyte uses alternative means to maintain ATP production during maturation, namely, the adenosine salvage pathway. Meiosis resumption is triggered by destruction of cyclic AMP by phosphodiesterases producing adenosine monophosphate that is converted into ATP by adenylate kinases and creatine kinases. Inhibition of these enzymes decreased ATP production, and addition of their substrates restored ATP production in denuded oocytes. Addition of phosphocreatine to the oocyte maturation medium influenced the phenotype of the resulting blastocysts. We propose a model in which adenylate kinases and creatine kinases act as drivers of ATP production from added AMP during oocyte maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Scantland
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Irene Tessaro
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Carolina H Macabelli
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Angus D Macaulay
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Gaël Cagnone
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Éric Fournier
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Alberto M Luciano
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Claude Robert
- Département des sciences animales, Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Macaulay AD, Hamilton CK, King WA, Bartlewski PM. Influence of physiological concentrations of androgens on the developmental competence and sex ratio of in vitro produced bovine embryos. Reprod Biol 2013; 13:41-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2013.01.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
11
|
Macaulay AD, Hyttel P, Robert C. Trans-Zonal Projections May Permit the Transfer of RNA-Protein Complexes Between the Cumulus Cells and the Oocyte. Biol Reprod 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/87.s1.294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
12
|
Hamilton CK, Combe A, Caudle J, Ashkar FA, Macaulay AD, Blondin P, King WA. A novel approach to sexing bovine blastocysts using male-specific gene expression. Theriogenology 2012; 77:1587-96. [PMID: 22341705 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2011] [Revised: 10/19/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
When examining gene expression profiles for the purposes of assessing embryo quality, it is imperative that sex be considered, because many embryonic transcripts have sex-related expression patterns. The objective of this study was to systematically examine eight Y chromosome linked genes (DDX3Y, EIF1AY, HSFY, SRY, TSPY, USP9Y, ZFY, and ZRSR2Y) to characterize their expression in bovine blastocysts and to examine the usefulness of this expression for the purpose of RNA-based embryo sexing. In order to examine the expression of these genes, pools of blastocysts (groups of 10 and 20) as well as single embryos (N = 50) were analyzed with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Of the 50 single embryos, 32 were concurrently sexed with DNA-based methods. Transcripts of DDX3Y, EIF1AY, TSPY, USP9Y, ZFY and ZRSR2Y were detected in the pooled and single blastocysts, but no transcripts were detected for HSFY or SRY. After performing DNA-based sexing experiments, we concluded that this expression was restricted to the male embryos. The consistency of the expression varied according to the gene as well as the specific primer set. Three genes were expressed in the full set of male embryos, DDX3Y, USP9Y, and ZRSR2Y and therefore represent good candidates for RNA-based sexing methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C K Hamilton
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|