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ZAR1 and ZAR2 are Required for Oocyte Meiotic Maturation by Regulating the Maternal Transcriptome and mRNA Translational Activation

ABSTRACT: Zar1 was the first mammalian maternal-effect gene to be identified. Embryos derived from Zar1-null female mice are blocked before zygotic genome activation; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. By knocking out Zar1 and its homolog Zar2 in mice, we revealed a novel function of these genes in oocyte meiotic maturation. Zar1/2-deleted oocytes displayed delayed meiotic resumption and polar body-1 emission and a higher incidence of abnormal meiotic spindle formation and chromosome aneuploidy. The grown oocytes of Zar1/2-null mice contained fewer total mRNAs and displayed a reduced level of protein synthesis. Key maturation-associated changes failed to occur in the Zar1/2-null oocytes, including the translational activation of maternal mRNAs encoding the cell cycle proteins cyclin B1 and WEE2, as well as maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) licensing factor BTG4. Consequently, maternal mRNA decay was impaired and MZT was abolished. ZAR1/2 bound mRNAs to regulate the translational activity of their 3ʹ-UTRs and interacted with other oocyte proteins, including mRNA-stabilizing protein MSY2 and cytoplasmic lattice components. These results countered the traditional view that ZAR1 only functions after fertilization and highlight a previously unrecognized role of ZAR1/2 in regulating the maternal transcriptome and translational activation in maturing oocytes.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE135787 | GEO | 2019/09/25

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background: Metazoan embryos undergo a maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) during which a subset of maternal gene products is eliminated and the zygotic genome becomes transcriptionally active. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and the microRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) â of which Argonaute 1 (AGO1) is a key component in Drosophila â target maternal mRNAs for degradation. The Drosophila Smaug, Brain tumor (BRAT) and Pumilio (PUM) RBPs direct the degradation of maternal mRNAs. Here we elucidate Smaugâs roles in regulation of miRNAs and miRISC during the MZT. Results: By global analysis of small RNAs at several stages during the MZT, we show that the vast majority of all miRNA species encoded by the Drosophila genome (85%) are expressed during the MZT. Whereas a subset of these miRNAs is loaded into oocytes by the mother and stays at constant levels during the MZT, dozens of miRNA species are either newly synthesized or re-expressed in the early embryo. Loss of Smaug has a profound effect on miRNAsÂ but little effect on piRNAs or siRNAs. Smaug is required for production of new miRNAs during the MZT; Smaug-bound AGO1 reflects the constellation and abundance of the miRNAs present in early embryos; and Smaug is required for the increase in AGO1 protein levels that occurs during the MZT. As a consequence of low miRISC activity in smaug mutants, maternal mRNAs that are normally targeted for degradation by zygotic miRNAs fail to be cleared. BRAT and PUM share target mRNAs with miRISC during the MZT while the miR-309 miRNA family coregulates targets of BRAT but not PUM. Conclusions: Smaug controls the MZT through direct targeting of a subset of maternal mRNAs for degradation and, indirectly, through production and function of miRNAs and miRISC, which control clearance of a distinct subset of maternal mRNAs. BRAT and/or PUM function together with miRISC during the latter process. With respect to miRISC-dependent transcript degradation, Smaug is required (1) for the synthesis of miRNAs, (2) for synthesis and stabilization of AGO1, and (3) for action of AGO1 in association with its bound miRNAs. In smaug mutants a large number of maternal mRNAs persist and the MZT fails. Examination of miRNA expresssion at different time points in wild type and smuag mutant early embryos .

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ZAR1 and ZAR2 are Required for Oocyte Meiotic Maturation by Regulating the Maternal Transcriptome and mRNA Translational Activation

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