The E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor KLHL8 targets ZAR1 to regulate maternal mRNA degradation in oocytes.

ABSTRACT: Maternal protein homeostasis and timely degradation of maternal mRNAs are essential for meiotic cell-cycle progression and subsequent embryonic development, but the mechanisms of maternal protein degradation are poorly understood. Here, we show that KLHL8, a substrate adaptor of Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases, is highly expressed in mouse oocytes and co-localizes with mitochondria. Oocyte-specific deletion of Klhl8 causes oocyte maturation defects and female infertility. ZAR1, an RNA binding protein that is required for mitochondria-associated ribonucleoprotein domain (MARDO) dissolution, is specifically recognized and degraded by KLHL8-mediated ubiquitination. In Klhl8-deficient oocytes, ZAR1 accumulation causes abnormal MARDO and mitochondria clustering, correlating with impaired mater

SUBMITTER: Fan H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12420792 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature