Intermediate Filament Protein BFSP1 Maintains Oocyte Asymmetric Division by Modulating Spindle Length.

ABSTRACT: The cytoskeleton is composed of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments in cells. While the functions of microtubules and microfilaments have been well elucidated, the roles of intermediate filaments and associated proteins remain largely unknown, especially in meiosis. BFSP1 is an intermediate filament protein mainly expressed in the eye lens to play important roles in the development of congenital cataract. Here, we document that BFSP1 functions as a spindle regulator to drive the oocyte asymmetric division. Specifically, we found that BFSP1 distributed on the spindle apparatus during oocyte meiotic maturation. Depletion of BFSP1 resulted in symmetric division of oocytes, accompanied by the formation of elongated spindles at metaphase I and anaphase/telophase I stages. I

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12302563 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature