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Expression of rck/p54, a DEAD‐box RNA helicase, in gametogenesis and early embryogenesis of mice
Author(s) -
Matsumoto Kenji,
Kwon OhYong,
Kim Hyungtae,
Akao Yukihiro
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.20429
Subject(s) - biology , gametogenesis , pronucleus , male pronucleus , rna helicase a , microbiology and biotechnology , embryogenesis , oogenesis , embryo , zygote , gene , rna , genetics , helicase
rck/p54 is a DEAD‐box RNA helicase protein with ATP‐dependent RNA‐unwinding activity. Its ortholog is required for sexual reproduction in yeast and for oocyte survival and sperm fertility in Caenorhabditis elegans . In the current study, we investigated the expression of rck/p54 in mouse gametogenesis and early embryogenesis. Western blot analysis revealed that rck/p54 was highly expressed in both the ovary and testis. In the ovary, maturing oocytes strongly expressed rck/p54 in their cytoplasm. In contrast, in the testis, spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes highly expressed rck/p54 in their cytoplasm, but its expression decreased in the spermatids. Interestingly, rck/p54 was concentrated in the heads of spermatozoa; and then its expression gradually decreased as these cells matured along the epididymal duct. After fertilization, rck/p54 protein and its mRNA remained present in the pronucleus phase; and then their expression levels slightly but definitely decreased in morulae and blastocytes. The injection of a CMV‐based rck/p54 expression vector into the pronuclei of fertilized eggs caused a delay in early embryogenesis. In generating RCK transgenic mice, the birth rate of the mice was significantly lower than those of other gene transgenic mice. These findings indicate that rck/p54 may play an important role in gametogenesis and early embryogenesis in mammals. Developmental Dynamics 233:1149–1156, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.