Effect of Hsp27 on early embryonic development in the mouse
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Updated: May 14, 2026
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay for Tissue-specific Genes using Early-stage Mouse Embryos
Published on: April 29, 2011
Shan Liu1, Xiaonan Dai, Lingbo Cai
1State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
Abstract:
Previous studies by this study group have showed that heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), expressed in the oocyte of growing follicles, is down-regulated in polycystic ovary syndrome ovaries and that down-regulation of Hsp27 improves the maturation of mouse oocytes and increases early apoptosis of oocytes. In this study, the effect of Hsp27 on early embryo development in the mouse was observed. Following microinjection of AdCMV-Hsp27 or AdsiRNA-Hsp27 into the cytoplasm of mouse zygotes, blastocyst morphology was observed and cell apoptosis of blastocysts was detected by TUNEL. After culture in vitro for 96h, blastocysts were analysed for Hsp27 expression by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence. The blastocyst formation rate and embryo quality were evaluated. The expression of Hsp27 was significantly increased in embryos with Hsp27 overexpression (AdCMV-Hsp27), while it was significantly suppressed by 75% in embryos with the gene silenced (AdsiRNA-Hsp27; both P<0.05). Cell apoptosis in blastocysts, blastocyst formation rate and embryo quality were unaffected by Hsp27 overexpression or gene silencing. In conclusion, overexpression or down-regulation of Hsp27 in zygotes, as a single factor, does not significantly affect the subsequent embryonic development.
Insights
Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) manipulation in mouse zygotes did not impact early embryo development. Neither Hsp27 overexpression nor silencing significantly altered blastocyst formation, quality, or apoptosis rates.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) is expressed in oocytes and its down-regulation is observed in polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Previous studies suggest Hsp27 down-regulation affects oocyte maturation and apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Hsp27 manipulation on early mouse embryo development.
- To determine if altering Hsp27 levels in zygotes influences blastocyst formation, quality, or apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Mouse zygotes were microinjected with AdCMV-Hsp27 (overexpression) or AdsiRNA-Hsp27 (silencing).
- Embryos were cultured in vitro for 96 hours.
- Blastocyst morphology, cell apoptosis (TUNEL assay), Hsp27 expression (real-time PCR, immunofluorescence), blastocyst formation rate, and embryo quality were assessed.
Main Results:
- Hsp27 expression was significantly increased with AdCMV-Hsp27 and suppressed by 75% with AdsiRNA-Hsp27 (P<0.05).
- No significant differences were observed in cell apoptosis, blastocyst formation rate, or embryo quality between manipulated and control groups.
- Hsp27 overexpression or gene silencing as a single factor did not significantly affect subsequent embryonic development.
Conclusions:
- Modulating Hsp27 levels in mouse zygotes does not appear to be a critical factor for subsequent early embryonic development.
- These findings suggest that Hsp27's role in early embryogenesis may be independent of its direct impact on blastocyst formation and quality.
