Spatio-temporal expression of the germ cell marker genes MATER, ZAR1, GDF9, BMP15,andVASA in adult bovine tissues, oocytes, and preimplantation embryos.
We have cloned the bovine homologue of Mater (maternal antigen that embryos require) cDNA, potentially the first germ cell-specific maternal-effect gene in this species. The 3297 base-pair longest open reading frame encodes a putative protein of 1098 amino acids with a domain organization similar to its human counterpart. By reverse transcription coupled to polymerase chain reaction, we have analyzed the spatiotemporal expression of MATER, along with other potential markers of germ cells or oocytes: ZAR1 (zygotic arrest 1), GDF9 (growth and differentiation factor 9), BMP15 (bone morphogenetic protein 15), and VASA. In agreement with a preferential oocyte origin, MATER, ZAR1, GDF9, and BMP15 transcripts were detected in the oocyte itself at a much higher level than in the gonads, while no significant expression was detected in our panel of somatic tissues (uterus, heart, spleen, intestine, liver, lung, mammary gland, muscle). In situ hybridization confirmed oocyte-restricted expression of MATER and ZAR1 within the ovary, as early as preantral follicle stages. VASA was highly represented in the testis and the ovary, and still present in the oocyte from antral follicles. Maternal MATER, ZAR1, GDF9, and BMP15 transcripts persisted during oocyte in vitro maturation and fertilization and in preimplantation embryo until the five- to eight-cell or morula stage, but transcription was not reactivated at the time of embryonic genome activation.
Pennetier
Sophie
S
Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, UMR 6175 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/ Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université François Rabelais de Tours/Haras Nationaux, F-37380 Nouzilly, France.
Uzbekova
Svetlana
S
Perreau
Christine
C
Papillier
Pascal
P
Mermillod
Pascal
P
Dalbiès-Tran
Rozenn
R
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; D002417:Cattle; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017385:Sequence Homology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
C525901:BMP15 protein, human; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C525897:GDF9 protein, human; D005819:Genetic Markers; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins