MuERV-L is one of the earliest transcribed genes in mouse one-cell embryos.
The expression pattern and function of the murine endogenous retrovirus-like (MuERV-L) gene in mouse preimplantation embryos was investigated. MuERV-L was rapidly transcribed from the beginning of S phase (8 h after fertilization) in the first cell cycle. MuERV-L expression was completely repressed when transcription from the zygotic genome was inhibited by alpha-amanitin. These results reveal that MuERV-L is transcribed from the zygotic genome and that it is expressed earlier than any other genes previously reported. In addition, MuERV-L was expressed even when the first round of DNA synthesis was inhibited by aphidicolin, suggesting that its expression is controlled by the zygotic clock. The function of MuERV-L in the development of mouse embryos was also examined using antisense oligonucleotides. The developmental competence of embryos was markedly suppressed after the 4-cell stage when they were treated with antisense oligonucleotides. This result suggests that MuERV-L plays an important role in the development of mouse embryos at the early preimplantation stage.
Kigami
Daisuke
D
Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
Minami
Naojiro
N
Takayama
Hanae
H
Imai
Hiroshi
H
D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015750:Genes, gag; D051379:Mice / Q000196:embryology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D012333:RNA, Messenger