NLRP9B protein is dispensable for oocyte maturation and early embryonic development in the
mouse |
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Authors: | Hui PENG Xiujiao LIN Fang LIU Cheng WANG Wenchang ZHANG |
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Institution: | 1)College of Animal Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian 350002, P. R. China |
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Abstract: | Nlrp9a, Nlrp9b and Nlrp9c are preferentially expressed in
oocytes and early embryos in the mouse. Simultaneous genetic ablation of Nlrp9a and
Nlrp9c does not affect early embryonic development, but the function of
Nlrp9b in the process of oocyte maturation and embryonic development has not been
elucidated. Here we show that both Nlrp9b mRNA and its protein are expressed in ovaries and
the small intestine. Moreover, the NLRP9B protein was restricted to oocytes in the ovary and declined with
oocyte aging. After ovulation and fertilization, NLRP9B protein was found in preimplantation embryos. Confocal
microscopy demonstrated that it was mainly localized in the cytoplasm in the oocytes and blastomeres. Thus,
this protein might play a role in oocyte maturation and early embryonic development. However, knockdown of
Nlrp9b expression in GV-stage oocytes using RNA interference did not affect oocyte
maturation or subsequent parthenogenetic development after Nlrp9b-deficient oocytes were
activated. Furthermore, Nlrp9b knockdown zygotes could reach the blastocyst stage after being
cultured for 3.5 days in vitro. These results provide the first evidence that the NLRP9B
protein is dispensable for oocyte maturation and early embryonic development in the mouse. |
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Keywords: | Early development Mouse NLRP9B protein Oocyte maturation |
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