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Fixation of Embryonic Mouse Tissue for Cytoneme Analysis
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Cortactin is implicated in murine zygotic development.

Dan Yu1, Helin Zhang, Thomas A Blanpied

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 800 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.

Experimental Cell Research
|December 17, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cortactin is crucial for asymmetric cell division in mouse oocytes. Disrupting cortactin function leads to defects in oocyte development and prevents homozygous offspring, highlighting its essential role.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cortactin is a protein found in the cell cortex, involved in actin polymerization mediated by the Arp2/3 complex.
  • The precise physiological function of cortactin in mammals is not yet understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physiological role of cortactin in mammalian development, particularly in oocyte maturation and division.
  • To determine the consequences of cortactin disruption on embryonic development and cellular processes.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of a genetically modified mouse model with disrupted cortactin allele using gene trapping.
  • Analysis of heterozygous and homozygous embryonic fibroblasts for defects in cellular functions like membrane ruffling.
  • Examination of oocytes for cortactin localization, its dependence on actin polymerization, and its role in meiotic division.
  • Functional assays involving microinjection of antibodies or mutant RNA into oocytes.

Main Results:

  • Heterozygous mice were viable, but their fibroblasts showed impaired PDGF-induced membrane ruffling.
  • No homozygous offspring or early embryos were detected, indicating embryonic lethality.
  • Homozygous zygotes were progressively lost after fertilization, with a significant decrease observed.
  • Cortactin localized to a polarized actin-rich layer in metaphase II oocytes, which diminished with actin inhibitors.
  • Cortactin accumulated in the second polar body after meiosis II resumption.
  • Disruption of cortactin function in oocytes inhibited the formation of the actin cap and the emission of the second polar body.

Conclusions:

  • Cortactin is essential for the viability of homozygous offspring, suggesting a critical role during early embryogenesis.
  • Cortactin plays a significant role in the asymmetric division of oocytes, particularly in regulating the actin cytoskeleton and polar body extrusion.
  • These findings reveal a novel function for cortactin in the mechanics of female meiosis.