Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
12:11
Analysis of Chromosome Segregation, Histone Acetylation, and Spindle Morphology in Horse Oocytes
Published on: May 11, 2017
Histone modifications during mammalian oocyte maturation: dynamics, regulation and functions
Ling Gu1, Qiang Wang, Qing-Yuan Sun
11State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology; Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)
|May 4, 2010
Summary
Histone modifications are vital for mammalian oocyte development. Dynamic changes in histone acetylation, phosphorylation, and methylation during meiosis ensure proper oocyte maturation and genomic stability.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Epigenetics
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Histone modifications regulate fundamental cellular processes.
- Meiosis stage-dependent histone modifications are increasingly recognized as critical for mammalian oocyte development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review changes, regulation, and functions of histone modifications during mammalian oocyte meiotic maturation.
- To emphasize histone acetylation, phosphorylation, and methylation in this context.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on histone modifications in mammalian oocytes.
- Analysis of dynamic modification patterns during oocyte maturation.
Main Results:
- Dynamic and differential histone modification patterns are observed during oocyte maturation, suggesting functional importance.
- Disruptions in histone modifications result in impaired chromosome dynamics, delayed maturation, and oocyte aging.
Conclusions:
- Histone modifications are essential for successful oocyte maturation and genomic stability in the female germline.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise roles of histone-modifying enzymes in oocyte chromatin regulation.
Related Concept Videos
02:32Histone Modification
The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
02:32Histone Modification
The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
01:22Oogenesis
Oogenesis, the process of developing egg cells (female gametes), occurs within the ovaries and is fundamental to female fertility. This sequence begins during fetal development when diploid oogonia in the developing ovaries undergo mitotic divisions to produce primary oocytes. By birth, these primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but become arrested in this stage, remaining suspended until puberty.
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
02:25Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...