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CDC2A (CDK1)-mediated phosphorylation of MSY2 triggers maternal mRNA degradation during mouse oocyte maturation

Sergey Medvedev1, Juxiang Yang, Norman B Hecht

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Developmental Biology
|July 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Maternal messenger RNA (mRNA) stability during oocyte maturation is regulated by MSY2 protein phosphorylation. This phosphorylation, triggered by CDC2A (CDK1), initiates the degradation of maternal mRNA, essential for embryonic development.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Maternal mRNA degradation is crucial for the maternal-to-embryonic transition.
  • MSY2, an RNA-binding protein, maintains mRNA stability during oocyte growth.
  • Oocyte maturation involves a significant degradation of most maternal mRNAs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MSY2 phosphorylation in maternal mRNA degradation during oocyte maturation.
  • To identify the kinase responsible for MSY2 phosphorylation and its role in the maternal-to-embryonic transition.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro oocyte maturation assays.
  • Manipulation of CDC2A (CDK1) activity via mRNA injection and roscovitine inhibition.
  • Expression of dominant-negative and constitutively active MSY2 variants.
  • Analysis of mRNA levels and MSY2 phosphorylation status.

Main Results:

  • CDC2A (CDK1)-mediated phosphorylation of MSY2 triggers the degradation of maternal mRNAs during oocyte maturation.
  • Inhibition of CDC2A prevents MSY2 phosphorylation and subsequent mRNA degradation.
  • Non-phosphorylatable MSY2 inhibits mRNA decrease, while active MSY2 induces degradation independently of maturation.
  • A positive-feedback loop involving MSY2 phosphorylation and Msy2 mRNA degradation ensures an irreversible transition.

Conclusions:

  • MSY2 phosphorylation by CDC2A (CDK1) is the key event initiating maternal mRNA degradation for the maternal-to-embryonic transition.
  • This phosphorylation event is tightly regulated and essential for successful embryonic development.
  • A feedback mechanism involving MSY2 and its own mRNA ensures the completion of this critical developmental transition.

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