title: Expression of Polycomb-group genes in human ovarian follicles, oocytes and preimplantation embryos.
abstract: Mammalian oocytes possess unique properties with respect to their ability to regulate and reprogram chromatin structure and epigenetic information. Proteins containing the conserved chromodomain motif that is common to the Polycomb-group (Pc-G) proteins and the heterochromatin-associated protein HP1, play essential roles in these processes and more specifically, in X-chromosome inactivation in female zygotes and extra-embryonic tissues and in the regulation of genomic imprinting. To characterize the potential role of these proteins in the regulation of epigenetic events during early human development, we utilized a degenerate PCR priming assay to assess the expression of mRNAs of chromodomain proteins in cDNA samples derived from the human female germline and preimplantation embryos. Expression of mRNAs of HP1 genes was observed in ovarian follicles, (HP1 (HSalpha), HP1 (HSbeta), HP1 (HSgamma)), mature oocytes (HP1 (HSalpha), HP1 (HSbeta)), cleavage stage preimplantation embryos (HP1 (HSalpha), HP1 (HSbeta), HP1 (HSgamma)) and blastocysts (HP1 (HSalpha), HP1 (HSgamma)). Transcripts for three Pc-G genes, which are essential for early mammalian development (Yin Yang 1 (YY1), Enhancer of Zeste-2 (EZH2) and Embryonic Ectoderm Development (EED)) and that are essential for the regulation of X-inactivation and certain imprinted genes (EED) were revealed by gene-specific-PCR expression analysis of human ovarian follicles, oocytes and preimplantation embryos. YY1 and EZH2 transcripts were additionally detected in metaphase II oocytes.
authors.affiliation: Reproduction and Early Development Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, D Floor Clarendon Wing, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds LS2 9NS, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hinkins
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huntriss
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Picton
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000071221:Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015870:Gene Expression; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C491488:EED protein, human; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor; C494698:YY1 protein, human; C498409:EZH2 protein, human; D000071221:Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2