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WHAMM is required for meiotic spindle migration and asymmetric cytokinesis in mouse oocytes

Xin Huang1, Lu Ding, Rui Pan

  • 1Organ Transplantation Institute, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.

Histochemistry and Cell Biology
|November 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

WASP homolog associated with actin, membranes and microtubules (WHAMM) is crucial for mouse oocyte maturation. It ensures proper spindle migration and asymmetric cytokinesis, vital for meiotic progression and polar body extrusion.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Cytoskeletal Dynamics

Background:

  • WASP homolog associated with actin, membranes and microtubules (WHAMM) is a nucleation-promoting factor linking actin and microtubules.
  • WHAMM's role is primarily studied in interphase somatic cells, with limited knowledge in meiosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the localization and function of WHAMM in mouse oocytes during meiosis.
  • To understand WHAMM's contribution to cytoskeletal organization and cell division in oocytes.

Main Methods:

  • Immunostaining to determine WHAMM localization during different meiotic stages (GV, Pro MI, MI, TI, MII).
  • Nocodazole and taxol treatments to analyze WHAMM association with the spindle.
  • Short interfering (si)RNA microinjection to deplete WHAMM and observe functional consequences.

Main Results:

  • WHAMM is not detected in the germinal vesicle (GV) stage but localizes to the spindle from prometaphase I to metaphase II.
  • WHAMM depletion leads to failed spindle migration, disrupted asymmetric cytokinesis, and reduced first polar body extrusion.
  • Actin cap formation is impaired upon WHAMM depletion, corroborating spindle migration failure.

Conclusions:

  • WHAMM plays a critical role in regulating peripheral spindle migration during mouse oocyte maturation.
  • WHAMM is essential for successful asymmetric cytokinesis and first polar body extrusion in oocytes.
  • WHAMM integrates the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton to orchestrate key events in meiotic maturation.

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