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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Manipulation and In Vitro Maturation of Xenopus laevis Oocytes, Followed by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, to Study Embryonic Development
Published on: February 9, 2015
Survey of O-GlcNAc level variations in Xenopus laevis from oogenesis to early development
Vanessa Dehennaut1, Tony Lefebvre, Yves Leroy
1UMR-CNRS 8576, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, IFR 147, USTL, 59655, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
Abstract:
Little is known about the impact of O-linked-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAc) in gametes production and developmental processes. Here we investigated changes in O-GlcNAc, UDP-GlcNAc and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) levels in Xenopus laevis from oogenesis to embryo hatching. We showed that in comparison to stage VI, stages I-V oocytes expressed higher levels of O-GlcNAc correlating changes in OGT expression, but not in UDP-GlcNAc pools. Upon progesterone stimulation, an O-GlcNAc level burst occurred during meiotic resumption long before MPF and Mos-Erk2 pathways activations. Finally, we observed high levels of O-GlcNAc, UDP-GlcNAc and OGT during segmentation that decreased concomitantly at the onset of gastrulation. Nevertheless, no correlation between the glycosylation, the nucleotide-sugar and the glycosyltransferase was observed after neurulation. Our results show that O-GlcNAc is regulated throughout oogenesis and development within a complex pattern and suggest that dysfunctions in the dynamics of this glycosylation could lead to developmental abnormalities.
Insights
O-linked-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAc) plays a complex role in frog oogenesis and development. Its levels change significantly during key stages, suggesting impacts on reproductive and developmental processes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Glycobiology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- O-linked-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAc) is a dynamic post-translational modification.
- Its role in gametogenesis and early embryonic development remains largely unexplored.
- Understanding O-GlcNAc dynamics is crucial for comprehending developmental processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic changes of O-GlcNAc, UDP-GlcNAc, and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) during Xenopus laevis oogenesis and embryonic development.
- To correlate these changes with specific developmental events, including meiotic resumption and gastrulation.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of O-GlcNAc, UDP-GlcNAc, and OGT levels at different developmental stages (oogenesis, meiotic resumption, segmentation, gastrulation, neurulation).
- Hormonal stimulation (progesterone) to induce meiotic resumption.
- Western blotting and other biochemical assays to measure molecular levels.
Main Results:
- O-GlcNAc levels were higher in early oocytes (stages I-V) compared to later stages (VI), correlating with OGT expression.
- A significant O-GlcNAc surge preceded meiotic resumption and MPF/Mos-Erk2 pathway activation.
- High O-GlcNAc, UDP-GlcNAc, and OGT were observed during segmentation, decreasing at gastrulation onset.
- No clear correlation was found post-neurulation.
Conclusions:
- O-GlcNAc is intricately regulated throughout Xenopus oogenesis and early development.
- The observed complex patterns suggest a significant role for O-GlcNAc glycosylation in these processes.
- Disruptions in O-GlcNAc dynamics may contribute to developmental abnormalities.
