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Quantitative Analysis of Protein Expression to Study Lineage Specification in Mouse Preimplantation Embryos
Published on: February 22, 2016
Mater, a maternal effect gene required for early embryonic development in mice
Z B Tong1, L Gold, K E Pfeifer
1Developmental Endocrinology Branch, NICHD, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Nature Genetics
|November 4, 2000
Summary
Maternal effect genes are crucial for early embryonic development. The Mater gene in mice is essential for development beyond the two-cell stage, with females lacking it being sterile.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Maternal effect genes provide essential factors for early embryonic development.
- These factors are synthesized during oogenesis and stored within the egg.
- Understanding these maternal contributions is key to deciphering developmental processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of the mouse oocyte protein Mater.
- To determine the role of Mater in embryonic development.
- To assess the reproductive consequences of Mater deficiency.
Main Methods:
- Generation of knockout mice lacking the Mater gene.
- Phenotypic analysis of reproductive capabilities in null males and females.
- Assessment of embryonic development stages in offspring from heterozygous crosses.
Main Results:
- Maternal Mater protein is indispensable for embryonic development past the two-cell stage.
- Female mice lacking Mater are sterile due to developmental arrest.
- Male mice lacking Mater are fertile, indicating no impact on male fertility.
Conclusions:
- The Mater gene is a critical maternal effect gene in mice.
- Mater is essential for the transition from maternal to zygotic gene expression.
- Disruption of Mater function leads to female infertility.
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