A novel functional role for the oocyte-specific transcription factor newborn ovary homeobox (NOBOX) during early embryonic development in cattle.

ABSTRACT: Newborn ovary homeobox (NOBOX) is an oocyte-specific transcription factor essential for folliculogenesis and expression of many germ cell-specific genes in mice. Here we report the characterization of the bovine NOBOX gene and its role in early embryogenesis. The cloned cDNA for bovine NOBOX contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of 500 amino acids with a conserved homeodomain. mRNA for NOBOX is preferentially expressed in ovaries and undetectable by RT-PCR in somatic tissues examined. NOBOX protein is present in oocytes throughout folliculogenesis. NOBOX is expressed in a stage-specific manner during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development and of maternal origin. Knockdown of NOBOX in early embryos using small interfering RNA demonstrated that NOBOX is required for em

SUBMITTER: Tripurani SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3040056 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature