title: Endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling in mammalian oocytes and embryos: life in balance.
abstract: Mammalian oocytes and embryos are exquisitely sensitive to a wide range of insults related to physical stress, chemical exposure, and exposures to adverse maternal nutrition or health status. Although cells manifest specific responses to various stressors, many of these stressors intersect at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where disruptions in protein folding and production of reactive oxygen species initiate downstream signaling events. These signals modulate mRNA translation and gene transcription, leading to recovery, activation of autophagy, or with severe and prolonged stress, apoptosis. ER stress signaling has recently come to the fore as a major contributor to embryo demise. Accordingly, agents that modulate or inhibit ER stress signaling have yielded beneficial effects on embryo survival and long-term developmental potential. We review here the mechanisms of ER stress signaling, their connections to mammalian oocytes and embryos, and the promising indications that interventions in this pathway may provide new opportunities for improving mammalian reproduction and health.
authors: Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Reproductive and Developmental Science Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. Electronic address: lathamk1@msu.edu.
authors: Keith E
authors: KE
authors: Latham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001343:Autophagy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*; D059865:Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D017510:Protein Folding; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism; D056811:Unfolded Protein Response
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D008055:Lipids; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; D016328:NF-kappa B; C495635:NFE2L2 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
keywords: ER stress signaling; Mammalian embryos; Mammalian oocytes; Mammalian reproduction; Oocyte maturation; Unfolded protein response