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| Open AccessJAK-STAT-dependent contact between follicle cells and the oocyte controls Drosophila anterior-posterior polarity and germline development
The authors identified a cell population in Drosophila follicles that elaborate filopodia penetrating the oocyte they are contacting. These somatic cells are essential during oogenesis to regulate polarity and germline development of the future embryo.
- Charlotte Mallart
- , Sophie Netter
- & Marianne Malartre
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Article
| Open AccessNutrient-dependent regulation of a stable intron modulates germline mitochondrial quality control
The quality of germline mitochondria is essential for producing healthy oocytes. Here, Ng, Chan and Pek report a stable intron that modulates germline mitochondrial quality control during fasting, heat stress and aging.
- Annabel Qi En Ng
- , Seow Neng Chan
- & Jun Wei Pek
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Article
| Open AccessMaternal vitamin B1 is a determinant for the fate of primordial follicle formation in offspring
The authors show that maternal high-fat diet influences offspring’s ovarian reserve through maternal-embryonic cross-talk in mice and that maternal vitamin B1 supplementation could rescue ovarian primordial follicle reserve in mouse offspring.
- Wen-Xiang Liu
- , Hai-Ning Liu
- & Teng Zhang
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| Open AccessSTRA8–RB interaction is required for timely entry of meiosis in mouse female germ cells
Female germ cells initiate meiosis within a limited time period in the fetal ovary. Here the authors show that the interaction between STRA8 and RB ensures precise timing of meiosis initiation and highlight the regulatory mechanisms underlying female-specific meiotic initiation in mice.
- Ryuki Shimada
- , Yuzuru Kato
- & Kei-ichiro Ishiguro
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Article
| Open AccessALKBH5 controls the meiosis-coupled mRNA clearance in oocytes by removing the N 6-methyladenosine methylation
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) maintains maternal RNA stability in oocytes. Here, the authors identify demethylase ALKBH5 as a key determinant of oocyte quality and unveil the facilitating role of ALKBH5-mediated m6A removal in maternal RNA decay.
- Long Bai
- , Yu Xiang
- & Yimin Zhu
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Article
| Open AccessThe non-redundant functions of PIWI family proteins in gametogenesis in golden hamsters
The role of PIWI proteins in mammalian reproduction remains poorly understood. Here, using golden hamsters, the authors establish expression profiles for all four PIWIs during gametogenesis and characterize their associated reproductive defects.
- Xiaolong Lv
- , Wen Xiao
- & Ligang Wu
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| Open AccessMaternal NAT10 orchestrates oocyte meiotic cell-cycle progression and maturation in mice
Generation of mature oocytes requires tight regulation of a discontinuous meiotic cell cycle. Here they show that the acetyltransferase Nat10 mediates modification of RNAs targeted for degradation and find that this process is essential for female oocyte meiosis and maturation.
- Xue Jiang
- , Yu Cheng
- & Jianqiang Bao
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Article
| Open AccessDNMT1 mutant ants develop normally but have disrupted oogenesis
The role of DNA methylation in insects is poorly understood. Here, the authors knock out the DNA methyltransferase DNMT1 in an ant and find no obvious effects on development, rather showing that this enzyme seems to play a crucial role during early oogenesis.
- Iryna Ivasyk
- , Leonora Olivos-Cisneros
- & Daniel J. C. Kronauer
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Article
| Open AccessCENP-F-dependent DRP1 function regulates APC/C activity during oocyte meiosis I
Spindle assembly checkpoint controls anaphase onset and guarantees appropriate chromosome segregation. Here, the authors report that dynamin-related protein 1 is recruited to kinetochores by CENP-F to regulate metaphase-to-anaphase transition by controlling APC/C activity in mouse oocyte meiosis
- Cheng-Jie Zhou
- , Xing-Yue Wang
- & Cheng-Guang Liang
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Article
| Open AccessTOPOVIBL-REC114 interaction regulates meiotic DNA double-strand breaks
TOPOVIBL and REC114 are required for meiotic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). This study shows that TOPOVIBL forms a complex with REC114 and mice carrying mutations that disrupt the interaction show DSB defects with distinct outcomes in males and females.
- Alexandre Nore
- , Ariadna B. Juarez-Martinez
- & Bernard de Massy
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| Open AccessEya-controlled affinity between cell lineages drives tissue self-organization during Drosophila oogenesis
Oogenesis depends on close interaction between germ cells and the surrounding somatic niche. Here the authors demonstrate that Eya controls bilateral affinity at the germline-soma interface to generate self-organizing inter-lineage units that ensure oocyte maturation.
- Vanessa Weichselberger
- , Patrick Dondl
- & Anne-Kathrin Classen
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Article
| Open AccessBNC1 deficiency-triggered ferroptosis through the NF2-YAP pathway induces primary ovarian insufficiency
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a clinical syndrome of ovarian dysfunction that results in infertility. Here they show that BCN1 mutation results in premature ovarian follicle activation and atresia through dysregulation of ferroptosis.
- Feixia Wang
- , Yifeng Liu
- & Dan Zhang
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| Open AccessSingle-cell transcriptome and translatome dual-omics reveals potential mechanisms of human oocyte maturation
Development of methods for simultaneous single cell analysis of transcription and translation is still underway. Here, Hu et al. develop single-cell transcriptome and translatome dual-omics on human oocytes, which enables them to identify OOSP2 as an induction factor during human oocyte maturation.
- Wenqi Hu
- , Haitao Zeng
- & Kehkooi Kee
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| Open AccessCytoplasmic forces functionally reorganize nuclear condensates in oocytes
Cytoskeletal activity generates mechanical forces known to agitate and displace membrane-bound organelles in the cytoplasm. In oocytes, Al Jord et al. discover that these cytoplasmic forces functionally remodel nuclear RNA-processing condensates across scales for developmental success.
- Adel Al Jord
- , Gaëlle Letort
- & Marie-Hélène Verlhac
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| Open AccessPRC1-mediated epigenetic programming is required to generate the ovarian reserve
In humans, the ovarian reserve is maintained over decades by meiotic arrest of oocytes. Here the authors show that Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1)-mediated epigenetic programming is essential for formation of ovarian reserve and thus female reproductive lifespan.
- Mengwen Hu
- , Yu-Han Yeh
- & Satoshi H. Namekawa
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Article
| Open AccessHistone H3K36me2 and H3K36me3 form a chromatin platform essential for DNMT3A-dependent DNA methylation in mouse oocytes
DNMT3A is known to methylate DNA at histone H3 lysine 36 (H3K36me3)-marked transcriptionally active regions in mouse oocytes. Here the authors show that DNMT3A is also guided by H3K36me2 to methylate broad domains in genic and intergenic loci, as well as on the X chromosome. These two histone marks together comprise the minimal chromatin signature for global DNA methylation in mouse oocytes.
- Seiichi Yano
- , Takashi Ishiuchi
- & Hiroyuki Sasaki
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Article
| Open AccessHighly conserved shifts in ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) activity drive mitochondrial remodeling during quiescence
Dynamic regulation of cellular proteostasis is linked to the metabolic state of quiescent cells in vivo. Here, the authors show, in multiple organisms, that shifts in the ubiquitin-proteome system are coupled to mitochondrial metabolic changes and subsequent respiratory quiescence.
- Sibiao Yue
- , Lei Wang
- & Matthew H. Sieber
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| Open AccessDynamic mRNA degradome analyses indicate a role of histone H3K4 trimethylation in association with meiosis-coupled mRNA decay in oocyte aging
Developmental potential of oocytes decreases in women of advanced age. Here the authors observe impaired meiosis-coupled mRNA decay and reduced CXXC1-maintained histone H3K4 trimethylation in old oocytes of mouse and humans.
- Yun-Wen Wu
- , Sen Li
- & Qian-Qian Sha
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Article
| Open AccessEpigenetic changes induced by in utero dietary challenge result in phenotypic variability in successive generations of mice
Here the authors show that a high-fat diet in pregnant mice can release silencing of the imprinted Dlk1 locus in multiple generations of offspring. They found that this occurs via changes in microRNA expression at the locus of interest, as well as transcriptional changes across the genome, in the developing oocytes.
- Mathew Van de Pette
- , Andrew Dimond
- & Amanda G. Fisher
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| Open AccessHuman reproduction is regulated by retrotransposons derived from ancient Hominidae-specific viral infections
The transcription factor network required for primordial germ cell (PGC) specification is known to diverge in mammals. Here the authors show that hominidae-specific transposable element (TE) LTR5Hs becomes transcriptionally active during PGC specification, and LTR5Hs inactivation abrogates human PGC specification
- Xinyu Xiang
- , Yu Tao
- & Amander T. Clark
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Article
| Open AccessDynamic transcriptome and chromatin architecture in granulosa cells during chicken folliculogenesis
The domestic chicken Gallus gallus domesticus is a classic model for the study of folliculogenesis. Here the authors integrate multi-omics analyses characterizing the dynamic transcriptome and chromatin architecture in granulosa cells during chicken folliculogenesis.
- Diyan Li
- , Chunyou Ning
- & Mingzhou Li
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| Open AccessMaintenance of quiescent oocytes by noradrenergic signals
Kim et al. show noradrenergic signaling for stress responses such as flight and fight, also serves as a conserved signal for maintaining oocyte quiescence under unfavorable conditions in worms, flies, and fish.
- Jeongho Kim
- , Moonjung Hyun
- & Young-Jai You
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Article
| Open AccessCENP-V is required for proper chromosome segregation through interaction with spindle microtubules in mouse oocytes
Chromosome segregation is essential to avoid aneuploidy, yet in mammalian oocytes it progressively fails in an age-dependent manner. Here the authors identify CENP-V as a microtubule binding and bundling protein crucial to faithful oocyte meiosis, and present Cenp-V−/− oocytes as revealing age-dependent weakening of the spindle assembly checkpoint.
- Dalileh Nabi
- , Hauke Drechsler
- & Mariola Chacón
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Article
| Open AccessHecw controls oogenesis and neuronal homeostasis by promoting the liquid state of ribonucleoprotein particles
Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are responsible for mRNA transport and local translation required for neuronal and oocyte maturation. Here the authors show that loss of the Drosophila Ub ligase Hecw enlarges RNP granules, leads to a liquid to gel-like transition, and results in defective oogenesis and neuronal loss.
- Valentina Fajner
- , Fabio Giavazzi
- & Simona Polo
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| Open AccessOocyte-derived microvilli control female fertility by optimizing ovarian follicle selection in mice
How structural features on oocytes regulate mammalian female reproduction is unclear. Here, the authors provide imaging and physiological evidence (for example on Radixin knockout) to identify oocyte-derived mushroom-like microvilli that control the female reproductive lifespan by governing the fate of follicles.
- Yan Zhang
- , Ye Wang
- & Hua Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessThe M-phase regulatory phosphatase PP2A-B55δ opposes protein kinase A on Arpp19 to initiate meiotic division
Mechanisms triggering meiotic divisions of oocytes remain unclear. Here, the authors report that meiosis resumption relies on the timely phosphorylation of Arpp19 protein at two distinct sites, which depends on two kinases (PKA and Gwl) and a single phosphatase (PP2A-B55δ).
- Tom Lemonnier
- , Enrico Maria Daldello
- & Aude Dupré
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Article
| Open AccessEpidermal growth factor receptor signaling uncouples germ cells from the somatic follicular compartment at ovulation
Uncoupling of mature oocytes from somatic granulosa cells is required for their fertilization. Here the authors show that activation of EGFR signalling in granulosa cells during ovulation triggers ERK-dependent loss of filopodia oocyte adhesion, and Arp2/3 mediated retraction of granulosa cell filopodia.
- Laleh Abbassi
- , Stephany El-Hayek
- & Hugh J. Clarke
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Article
| Open AccessPRC2 and EHMT1 regulate H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 establishment across the zygote genome
Dynamic arrangement of epigenetic modifications such as repressive H3K27 methylation is essential for zygote development. Here the authors show that establishment of genome-wide H3K27me3 in zygotes requires EZH2, that EZH1 partially compensates for EZH2 loss, and that EHMT1 is involved in H3K27me2 establishment.
- Tie-Gang Meng
- , Qian Zhou
- & Qing-Yuan Sun
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Article
| Open AccessThe BCL-2 pathway preserves mammalian genome integrity by eliminating recombination-defective oocytes
If left unrepaired, meiotic DSBs are toxic to mammalian cells, thus oocytes in which DSBs persist are eliminated by the DNA-damage checkpoint. Here the authors provide insights into the roles of PUMA, NOXA and BAX during DNA damage checkpoint that eliminates Dmc1−/− and Msh5−/− oocytes.
- Elias ElInati
- , Agata P. Zielinska
- & James M. A. Turner
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Article
| Open AccessMaximizing the ovarian reserve in mice by evading LINE-1 genotoxicity
Mammals lose up to 80% of their finite oocyte supply during fetal development. Here the authors interrogate mechanisms of fetal oocyte attrition in mice, driven by the simultaneous upregulation of LINE-1 retrotransposon activity and inhibit these mechanisms to increase the functional ovarian reserve.
- Marla E. Tharp
- , Safia Malki
- & Alex Bortvin
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular basis of egg coat cross-linking sheds light on ZP1-associated female infertility
Glycoprotein ZP1 is a component of the oocyte’s zona pellucida (ZP), and mutations in human ZP1 are linked to female infertility. Here, using structure-function analysis, the authors suggest that filament cross-linking by ZP1 is required to form a stable ZP in human, and infertility mutations interfere with cross-linking.
- Kaoru Nishimura
- , Elisa Dioguardi
- & Luca Jovine
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Article
| Open AccessSyncytial germline architecture is actively maintained by contraction of an internal actomyosin corset
Germline cells in many species are fused to form a syncytium but the mechanics behind the maintenance of these structures are poorly defined. Here, the authors propose an inner contractile actomyosin corset provides a supportive framework to maintain germline architecture in C. elegans.
- Agarwal Priti
- , Hui Ting Ong
- & Ronen Zaidel-Bar
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| Open AccessCaenorhabditis elegans sperm carry a histone-based epigenetic memory of both spermatogenesis and oogenesis
Paternal contributions to epigenetic inheritance via nucleosomes are poorly understood, as sperm in many organisms replace the majority of nucleosomes with protamines. Here the authors provide evidence that Caenorhabditis elegans sperm retain histone packaging of the genome and provide a histone-based epigenetic memory that is important for germ cell development in offspring.
- Tomoko M. Tabuchi
- , Andreas Rechtsteiner
- & Susan Strome
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| Open AccessThe H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 maintains female identity in Drosophila germ cells
Epigenetic regulation is critical for the maintenance of germ cell identity. Here the authors show that H3K9me3-mediated gene silencing is critical for repression of testis-specific transcription in Drosophila female germ cells, indicating H3K9me3 maintains female germ cell sexual identity.
- Anne E. Smolko
- , Laura Shapiro-Kulnane
- & Helen K. Salz
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| Open AccessNuclear lamina dysfunction triggers a germline stem cell checkpoint
Otefin is a nuclear lamina protein required for survival of Drosophila germ stem cells. Here the authors show that nuclear lamina dysfunction resulting from loss of Otefin activates a DNA damage-independent germ stem cell-specific checkpoint, mediated by the ATR and Chk2 kinases, which ensures that healthy gametes are passed on to the next generation.
- Lacy J. Barton
- , Tingting Duan
- & Pamela K. Geyer
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Article
| Open AccessParental haplotype-specific single-cell transcriptomics reveal incomplete epigenetic reprogramming in human female germ cells
In mammalian female germ cells, parent-specific epigenetic marks are erased and the X chromosome reactivated before entry into meiosis. Here, by combining parental haplotype reconstruction with single-cell transcriptomics of human female embryonic germ cells, the authors demonstrate that epigenetic reprogramming occurs in a heterogeneous fashion and during a broad time window up to week 14.
- Ábel Vértesy
- , Wibowo Arindrarto
- & Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes
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Article
| Open AccessSpatiotemporal regulation of Aurora B recruitment ensures release of cohesion during C. elegans oocyte meiosis
During meiosis, step-wise release of sister chromatid cohesion mediated by REC-8 cohesin is required for the formation of haploid gametes. Here, the authors show that in C. elegans oocytes, regulated recruitment of Aurora B kinase ensures the correct distribution of REC-8 phosphorylation, which promotes cohesion release.
- Nuria Ferrandiz
- , Consuelo Barroso
- & Enrique Martinez-Perez
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Article
| Open AccessStress-dependent miR-980 regulation of Rbfox1/A2bp1 promotes ribonucleoprotein granule formation and cell survival
Rbfox1, a pro-survival RNA-binding protein, is expressed in a complex manner and mediates diverse developmental processes. Here, the authors observe alternative splicing of Rbfox1 and stress-dependent regulation by miR-980 in Drosophila ovaries and Rbfox1 localisation in ribonucleoprotein granules in human cells.
- Mariya M. Kucherenko
- & Halyna R. Shcherbata
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Article
| Open AccesspiRNAs and Aubergine cooperate with Wispy poly(A) polymerase to stabilize mRNAs in the germ plasm
In Drosophila embryos, Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) loaded into the PIWI protein Aubergine target and destabilize maternal mRNAs. Here, the authors provide evidence that piRNAs and Aubergine cooperate with the Wispy poly(A) polymerase to stabilize these mRNAs in the germ plasm.
- Jérémy Dufourt
- , Gwénaëlle Bontonou
- & Martine Simonelig
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Article
| Open AccessDIP1 modulates stem cell homeostasis in Drosophila through regulation of sisR-1
Stable intronic sequence RNAs (sisRNAs) are by-products of splicing from introns with roles in embryonic development in Drosophila. Here, the authors show that the RNA binding protein DIP1 regulates sisRNAs in Drosophila, which is necessary for germline stem cell homeostasis.
- Jing Ting Wong
- , Farzanah Akhbar
- & Jun Wei Pek