Expression and epigenetic dynamics of transcription regulator Lhx8 during mouse oogenesis.
The spatial and temporal specific activation and inhibition of numerous genes are required for successful oogenesis which is precisely regulated by germ cell-related transcription factors, and appropriate epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modification and other mechanisms that closely regulate the functional exertion of these transcription factors. In this study, we characterized the correlation between the expression and epigenetic dynamics of Lhx8, a germ cell specific transcription factor during mouse oogenesis. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR and western blots were performed to localize and quantify the expressional characteristics of Lhx8 in oocytes of 13.5 dpc (day post coitum), 17.5 dpc, 0 dpp (day post partum), 3 dpp, 7 dpp and 14 dpp. The results showed that LHX8 protein was located in the nucleus of oocytes, and increasingly expressed during primordial follicle activation. Sequencing of bisulfite-converted genomic DNAs revealed that the methylation dynamics of Lhx8-3' was highly changeable but almost no change occurred in Lhx8-5'. ChIP-QPCR analysis showed that histone H3 acetylation of Lhx8 was also increased during primordial follicle assembly and activation. In conclusion, Lhx8 expression is related with the activation of primordial follicles, which is highly correlated with the demethylation of Lhx8-3' untranslated region and the high acetylation of histone H3.
Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
Lian-Jun
LJ
Zhang
Bo
B
Pan
Bo
B
Chen
Xi-Feng
XF
Zhang
Gui-Jin
GJ
Liang
Yan-Ni
YN
Feng
Lin-Qing
LQ
Wang
Jin-Mei
JM
Ma
Lan
L
Li
Wei
W
Shen
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D000107:Acetylation; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D017931:DNA Primers; D006657:Histones; C112960:LIM homeobox protein 8; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors