title: Downregulation of gene expression and activity of GRIM-19 affects mouse oocyte viability, maturation, embryo development and implantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression of GRIM-19 (Gene associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality 19) in mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos, and to study the effect of GRIM-19 on the developmental competence of mouse oocytes and embryos.
  
  
  METHODS
  GRIM-19 was evaluated at both mRNA and protein levels. The expression of GRIM-19 gene was downregulated in mouse oocytes cultured in vitro by specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) injection, while the activity of GRIM-19 was decreased by microinjection of a GRIM-19 antibody into the cytoplasm of germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes. Oocytes matured in vitro were then fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), followed by observation and evaluation of fertilization rate, cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate and implantation rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GRIM-19 is expressed throughout oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryo development stages. GRIM-19 was localized primarily in the cytoplasm of all cells examined. Downregulation of gene expression and activity of GRIM-19 resulted in decreased oocyte viability, potency of oocyte maturation, embryo development and implantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GRIM-19 may play important roles in mouse oogenesis and early embryonic development and implantation.
authors.affiliation: Infertility Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wenjuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Honglei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Aijun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Xiaohui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000235:genetics*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; C486684:Grim19 protein, mouse