title: Polymerase subunit gamma 2 affects porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development.
abstract: Deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase subunit gamma (POLG) is an enzyme encoded by the mitochondrial Polg gene. Polymerase (DNA directed), gamma 2, accessory subunit, also known as POLG2, is involved in mitochondrial replication. In the present study, we examined the role of Polg2 in the maturation of porcine oocytes. After Polg2 knockdown, the mitochondrial DNA copy number was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that in the control group. However, there was no decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. The decrease in mitochondrial DNA copy number led to reductions in adenosine-5'-triphosphate content (P < 0.05) and the maturation rate (P < 0.05) of oocytes. Furthermore, in the Polg2-knockdown group, maturation-promoting factor activity was decreased (P < 0.05) and the percentage of oocytes displaying abnormal actin filaments and microtubules was significantly increased (P < 0.05). This likely led to the reduced development rate and number of cells per blastocyst in this group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Polg2 seems to be critical for mitochondrial replication and regulation of adenosine-5'-triphosphate content and affects porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Center for Bio-Resource Development, Cheongju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seul-Ki
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Center for Bio-Resource Development, Cheongju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ming-Hui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Center for Bio-Resource Development, Cheongju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Center for Bio-Resource Development, Cheongju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Center for Bio-Resource Development, Cheongju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Center for Bio-Resource Development, Cheongju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seon-Hyang
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Center for Bio-Resource Development, Cheongju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Nam-Hyung
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Center for Bio-Resource Development, Cheongju, South Korea. Electronic address: xscui@cbnu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Xiang-Shun
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010312:Parthenogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
keywords: Mitochondria content; Oocyte maturation; Polg2; Porcine