Distinct sets of developmentally regulated genes that are expressed by human oocytes and human embryonic stem cells.
OBJECTIVE
To identify genes that are expressed differently during final oocyte maturation and early embryonic development in humans.


METHODS
Comparison of gene expression profiles of human germinal vesicle oocytes (hGVO), human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human foreskin fibroblasts.


METHODS
Research centers and a fertility unit in a university hospital.


METHODS
Fifty-five healthy women donated 76 hGVO.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Gene expression profiles were analyzed and compared with the use of microarray and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Altogether, 10,183 genes were expressed in hGVO, and 45% of these genes were unclassified by biologic function. Four oocyte-specific genes (MATER, ZAR1, NPM2 and FIGLA) were detected in hGVO for the first time. Known components of 4 signaling pathways (MOS-MPF, transforming growth factor-beta, WNT, and NOTCH) were also found expressed in hGVO, with some components detected in hGVO for the first time. Distinct sets of genes that were revealed by comparison of expression profiles between hGVO, hESC, and human foreskin fibroblasts appear to be involved in oocyte maturation and early embryonic development.


CONCLUSIONS
We obtained, for the first time, a large amount of information on gene expression of hGVO as compared with hESC. These data, from a unique research material-human oocytes, can now be used to understand the molecular mechanisms of early human development.
Zhang
Pu
P
Department of Biosciences and Nutrition at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
Kerkelä
Erja
E
Skottman
Heli
H
Levkov
Lev
L
Kivinen
Katja
K
Lahesmaa
Riitta
R
Hovatta
Outi
O
Kere
Juha
J
D000328:Adult; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D052816:Foreskin / Q000166:cytology; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D017231:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mos / Q000502:physiology; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000502:physiology
D051880:Receptors, Notch; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D017231:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mos