Role of Mael in early oogenesis and during germ-cell differentiation from embryonic stem cells in mice in vitro. Issue 4 (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bahena, I.; Xu, E.; Betancourt, M.; Casas, E.; Ducolomb, Y.; González, C.; Bonilla, E.
• Is Part Of: Zygote. Volume 22:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 513
• Page End: 520
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: Developmental biology -- Periodicals; Embryology -- Periodicals; Zygotes -- Periodicals; Gametes -- Periodicals; 571.864
• DOI: 10.1017/S0967199412000743
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-1994

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Summary</title> <p>In a previous study, we have identified a set of conserved spermatogenic genes whose expression is restricted to testis and ovary and that are developmentally regulated. One of these genes, the transcription factor <italic>Mael</italic>, has been reported to play an essential role in mouse spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, the role of <italic>Mael</italic> in mouse oogenesis has not been defined. In order to analyse the role of <italic>Mael</italic> in mouse oogenesis, the expression of this gene was blocked during early oogenesis in mouse <italic>in vitro</italic> using RNAi technology. In addition, the role of <italic>Mael</italic> during differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) into germ cells <italic>in vitro</italic> was analysed. Results show that downregulation of <italic>Mael</italic> by a specific short interfering RNA disrupted fetal oocyte growth and differentiation in fetal ovary explants in culture and the expression of several germ-cell markers in ESC during their differentiation. These results suggest that there is an important role for <italic>Mael</italic> in early oogenesis and during germ-cell differentiation from embryonic stem cells in mouse <italic>in vitro</italic>.</p> </abstract>