An aggregated mitochondrial distribution in preimplantation embryos disrupts nuclear morphology, function, and developmental potential.

ABSTRACT: A dispersed cytoplasmic distribution of mitochondria is a hallmark of normal cellular organization. Here, we have utilized the expression of exogenous Trak2 in mouse oocytes and embryos to disrupt the dispersed distribution of mitochondria by driving them into a large cytoplasmic aggregate. Our findings reveal that aggregated mitochondria have minimal impact on asymmetric meiotic cell divisions of the oocyte. In contrast, aggregated mitochondria during the first mitotic division result in daughter cells with unequal sizes and increased micronuclei. Further, in two-cell embryos, microtubule-mediated centering properties of the mitochondrial aggregate prevent nuclear centration, distort nuclear shape, and inhibit DNA synthesis and the onset of embryonic transcription. These findings d

SUBMITTER: Lee IW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11228517 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature