Yin-yang1 is required in the mammalian oocyte for follicle expansion.
The multifaceted polycomb group gene Yin-Yang1 (Yy1) has been implicated in a variety of transcriptional regulatory roles both as an activator and silencer of gene expression. Here we examine the role of Yy1 during oocyte growth by conditional deletion of the locus in the growing oocyte. Our results indicate that YY1 is required for oocyte maturation and granulosa cell expansion. In mutant oocytes, we observe severely reduced expression of both Gdf9 and Bmp15, suggesting a mechanism underlying the failure of granulosa cell expansion. Consequently, we observe infertility, failure of estrus cycling, and altered reproductive hormone levels in mutant females. Additionally, we find that YY1-deficient oocytes exhibit altered levels of several oocyte-specific factors, including Pou5f1, Figla, Lhx8, Oosp1, and Sohlh2. These results document YY1's involvement in folliculogenesis and ovarian function in the mouse and indicate that YY1 is required specifically in the oocyte for oocyte-granulosa cell communication.
Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
Gillian J
GJ
Griffith
Mary C
MC
Trask
Jacob
J
Hiller
Melanie
M
Walentuk
John B
JB
Pawlak
Kimberly D
KD
Tremblay
Jesse
J
Mager
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 / Q000235:genetics; D002450:Cell Communication; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9 / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
C525902:Bmp15 protein, mouse; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; C525898:Gdf9 protein, mouse; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor; C494699:Yy1 protein, mouse