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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Using Mouse Oocytes to Assess Human Gene Function During Meiosis I
Published on: April 10, 2018
Intracellular signal transduction in mouse oocytes and irradiated early embryos
Sarah Baatout1, Rolf Jaussi, Arlette Michaux
1Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute for Health, Environment and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Center, SCK-CEN, Mol, Belgium. sbaatout@sckcen.be
Abstract:
In order to determine the effect of X-irradiation on intracellular signal transduction in mouse oocytes and embryos, JNK, ERK and p38 kinase activities were measured by the state of phosphorylation of their respective substrates (c-Jun, Elk-1 and ATF-2, respectively) in two mouse strains differing in radiation sensitivity, namely C57BL and BALB/c. In a first step, control oocytes and embryos were compared for their respective kinase activities at various stages of oocyte maturation (germinal vesicle and metaphases of 1st and 2nd meiosis stages) and early embryonic development (1-, 2-, 4-, 8- and 16-cell, morula and blastula stages). Levels of p38, ERK or JNK kinase activities were shown to vary with the stage of oocyte maturation and embryo development. In a second step, 1- and 2-cell embryos were X-irradiated with 2.5 Gy during the S-phase of the 1st or the 2nd cell-cycle, respectively. There were no significant differences in p38, ERK and JNK kinase activities between control and irradiated embryos, whatever the stage or mouse strain was considered. In conclusion, p38, ERK and JNK kinase activities were shown to vary during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development. Apparently, X-irradiation did not affect these kinase activities at the 1- and 2-cell stages in either mouse strains regardless of their difference in radiation sensitivity.
Insights
X-irradiation does not impact key intracellular signaling pathways, including c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38 kinase, in mouse oocytes and embryos. These kinase activities naturally fluctuate during development but remain unaffected by radiation exposure.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Radiation Biology
Background:
- Intracellular signal transduction pathways, such as JNK, ERK, and p38 kinase, play crucial roles in cellular processes.
- Understanding the impact of radiation on these pathways during early development is essential for reproductive health and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of X-irradiation on JNK, ERK, and p38 kinase activities in mouse oocytes and embryos.
- To compare kinase activities during different developmental stages and in mouse strains with varying radiation sensitivities.
Main Methods:
- Kinase activities were assessed by measuring the phosphorylation of their substrates (c-Jun, Elk-1, ATF-2).
- Control oocytes and embryos were analyzed across various maturation and embryonic development stages.
- 1- and 2-cell embryos were X-irradiated (2.5 Gy) during S-phase, and kinase activities were subsequently measured.
Main Results:
- Basal levels of p38, ERK, and JNK kinase activities exhibited stage-specific variations during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development.
- X-irradiation at the 1- and 2-cell stages did not significantly alter p38, ERK, or JNK kinase activities.
- No significant differences in kinase activities were observed between irradiated and control groups, irrespective of mouse strain or developmental stage.
Conclusions:
- p38, ERK, and JNK kinase activities are dynamic during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development.
- X-irradiation does not appear to affect these critical kinase activities in early mouse embryos.
- Mouse strain differences in radiation sensitivity did not influence the observed lack of effect on these signaling pathways.
