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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
Loss- and Gain-of-function Approach to Investigate Early Cell Fate Determinants in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos
Published on: June 6, 2016
Arrest of cell cycle progression during first interphase in murine zygotes microinjected with anti-PCM-1 antibodies
R Balczon1, C Simerly, D Takahashi
1The Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, The University of South Alabama, Mobile, USA. balczonr@sungcg.usouthal.edu
Abstract:
To investigate the function of the centrosome protein PCM-1, antibodies against PCM-1 were microinjected into either germinal vesicle stage meiotic oocytes or fertilized mouse eggs, and cell cycle progression events (i.e., microtubule assembly, chromosome and centrosome organization, meiotic maturation) were assayed. These studies determined that microinjected PCM-1 antibodies arrested cell cycle progression, with anti-PCM-1 arresting fertilized eggs at the pronucleate stage when injected during G1. Analysis of the injected eggs determined that centrosome disruption and microtubule cytaster disorganization accompanied the cell cycle arrest. Anti-PCM-1 blocked neither pronuclear centration, completion of mitosis when microinjected into zygotes at G2, nor meiotic maturation when microinjected into immature oocytes. These results identify a novel role for PCM- 1 in cell cycle regulation, and indicate that PCM-1 must fulfill an essential function for cells to complete interphase.
Insights
Antibodies targeting the centrosome protein PCM-1 disrupted cell division in mouse eggs. This identified a vital role for PCM-1 in regulating the cell cycle and completing interphase.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The centrosome is crucial for cell division.
- PCM-1 is a key centrosome protein, but its precise function in cell cycle regulation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the function of the centrosome protein PCM-1 in cell cycle progression.
- To determine PCM-1's role in microtubule assembly, chromosome and centrosome organization, and meiotic maturation.
Main Methods:
- Microinjection of antibodies against PCM-1 into mouse oocytes and fertilized eggs.
- Assay of cell cycle progression, including microtubule organization, chromosome and centrosome organization, and meiotic maturation.
Main Results:
- Microinjection of PCM-1 antibodies arrested cell cycle progression in fertilized eggs at the pronucleate stage when injected during G1.
- Centrosome disruption and microtubule cytaster disorganization were observed in arrested cells.
- PCM-1 antibodies did not block pronuclear centration, mitosis completion (when injected at G2), or meiotic maturation (in immature oocytes).
Conclusions:
- PCM-1 plays an essential role in cell cycle regulation during interphase.
- The protein is critical for the successful completion of interphase in fertilized eggs.
