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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Defining the Program of Maternal mRNA Translation during In vitro Maturation using a Single Oocyte Reporter Assay
Published on: June 16, 2021
Identification and expression profiling of microRNAs during bovine oocyte maturation using heterologous approach
Dawit Tesfaye1, Dagnachew Worku, Franca Rings
1Institute of Animal Science, Animal Breeding and Husbandry Group, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, Bonn 53115, Germany. tesfaye@itw.uni-bonn.de
Abstract:
The accumulation of maternal mRNA and protein during oogenesis for supporting oocyte maturation and the newly fertilised zygote marks the beginning of developmental process in mammals. MicroRNAs (approximately 18-22 nt long) which are known for post-transcriptional gene regulation are evidenced for their essential role during animal development. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the expression of miRNAs in immature and in vitro matured bovine oocytes, using heterologous miRNA array platform. To attain this, we used a mercury locked nucleic acids (LNA) array (Exiqon, Vedbaek, Denmark) microarray that consist of 454 capture probes for human, mouse and rat miRNAs as registered and annotated in the miRBase release 8.0 at The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Our result revealed the differential expression of 59 miRNAs, of which 31 and 28 miRNAs were found to be preferentially expressed in immature and matured oocytes, respectively. Here, we also report the identification of 32 orthologous miRNAs using a heterologous approach. Expression profiling of selected miRNAs during preimplantation stage embryos showed a distinct temporal expression pattern. After target prediction for selected candidate miRNAs high ranking target mRNA were quantified in immature and matured oocytes and showed a reciprocal expression pattern between the miRNA and the predicted targets suggesting a cause and effect relationship.
Insights
Maternal microRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial for mammalian development. This study profiled bovine oocyte miRNAs, identifying differentially expressed miRNAs and their targets, revealing their roles in oocyte maturation and early embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Gene Regulation
- Mammalian Reproduction
Background:
- Maternal mRNA and protein accumulation during oogenesis supports early mammalian development.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators essential for animal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate miRNA expression profiles in immature and in vitro matured bovine oocytes.
- To identify differentially expressed miRNAs and their potential targets in bovine oocytes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a heterologous miRNA array platform with mercury locked nucleic acids (LNA) probes.
- Analyzed miRNA expression in immature and matured bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos.
- Performed miRNA target prediction and quantified target mRNA expression.
Main Results:
- Identified differential expression of 59 miRNAs between immature and matured oocytes (31 vs. 28).
- Reported identification of 32 orthologous miRNAs via a heterologous approach.
- Observed distinct temporal expression patterns of selected miRNAs in preimplantation embryos.
- Demonstrated reciprocal expression patterns between candidate miRNAs and their predicted target mRNAs.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNA expression is dynamically regulated during bovine oocyte maturation.
- Identified specific miRNAs and their targets potentially involved in regulating bovine oocyte maturation and early development.
- The findings suggest a cause-and-effect relationship between miRNA and target mRNA expression during oocyte development.
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