title: DDX3X regulates cell survival and cell cycle during mouse early embryonic development.
abstract: DDX3X is a highly conserved DEAD-box RNA helicase that participates in RNA transcription, RNA splicing, and mRNA transport, translation, and nucleo-cytoplasmic transport. It is highly expressed in metaphase II (MII) oocytes and is the predominant DDX3 variant in the ovary and embryo. However, whether it is important in mouse early embryo development remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the function of DDX3X in early embryogenesis by cytoplasmic microinjection with its siRNA in zygotes or single blastomeres of 2-cell embryos. Our results showed that knockdown of Ddx3x in zygote cytoplasm led to dramatically diminished blastocyst formation, reduced cell numbers, and an increase in the number of apoptotic cells in blastocysts. Meanwhile, there was an accumulation of p53 in RNAi blastocysts. In addition, the ratio of cell cycle arrest during 2-cell to 4-cell transition increased following microinjection of Ddx3x siRNA into single blastomeres of 2-cell embryos compared with control. These results suggest that Ddx3x is an essential gene associated with cell survival and cell cycle control in mouse early embryos, and thus plays key roles in normal embryo development.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Qian
authors: Q
authors: Li
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Pan
authors: P
authors: Zhang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Chao
authors: C
authors: Zhang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Ru
authors: R
authors: Wan
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Ye
authors: Y
authors: Yang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Xuejiang
authors: X
authors: Guo
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Ran
authors: R
authors: Huo
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Lin
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Zuomin
authors: Z
authors: Zhou
authors: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors: Jiahao
authors: J
authors: Sha
keywords: DDX3X; apoptosis; cell cycle; early embryo; p53