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Updated: May 9, 2026

Meiotic Spindle Assessment in Mouse Oocytes by siRNA-mediated Silencing
Published on: October 11, 2015
A tudor domain protein SPINDLIN1 interacts with the mRNA-binding protein SERBP1 and is involved in mouse oocyte
Ting Gang Chew1, Anne Peaston, Ai Khim Lim
1Mammalian Development Laboratory, Institute of Medical Biology, A-STAR, Singapore, Singapore. tinggang80@gmail.com
Abstract:
Mammalian oocytes are arrested at prophase I of meiosis, and resume meiosis prior to ovulation. Coordination of meiotic arrest and resumption is partly dependent on the post-transcriptional regulation of maternal transcripts. Here, we report that, SPINDLIN1 (SPIN1), a maternal protein containing Tudor-like domains, interacts with a known mRNA-binding protein SERBP1, and is involved in regulating maternal transcripts to control meiotic resumption. Mouse oocytes deficient for Spin1 undergo normal folliculogenesis, but are defective in resuming meiosis. SPIN1, via its Tudor-like domain, forms a ribonucleoprotein complex with SERBP1, and regulating mRNA stability and/or translation. The mRNA for the cAMP-degrading enzyme, PDE3A, is reduced in Spin1 mutant oocytes, possibly contributing to meiotic arrest. Our study demonstrates that Spin1 regulates maternal transcripts post-transcriptionally and is involved in meiotic resumption.
Insights
SPINDLIN1 (SPIN1) regulates maternal transcripts post-transcriptionally, controlling meiotic resumption in mammalian oocytes. Loss of SPIN1 impairs meiosis resumption by affecting mRNA stability and translation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Molecular and cell biology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Mammalian oocytes arrest at prophase I of meiosis, resuming only before ovulation.
- Meiotic resumption relies on post-transcriptional regulation of maternal transcripts.
- SPINDLIN1 (SPIN1) is a maternal protein with Tudor-like domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of SPINDLIN1 (SPIN1) in regulating maternal transcripts.
- To determine SPIN1's involvement in controlling meiotic resumption in mammalian oocytes.
Main Methods:
- Studied mouse oocytes deficient for Spin1.
- Analyzed folliculogenesis and meiotic resumption.
- Investigated SPIN1's interaction with SERBP1 and its effect on mRNA stability and translation.
Main Results:
- Spin1-deficient mouse oocytes showed normal folliculogenesis but defective meiotic resumption.
- SPIN1 interacts with SERBP1 via its Tudor-like domain, forming a ribonucleoprotein complex.
- Reduced mRNA levels of PDE3A (cAMP-degrading enzyme) were observed in Spin1 mutant oocytes.
Conclusions:
- SPINDLIN1 (SPIN1) plays a crucial role in post-transcriptional regulation of maternal transcripts.
- SPIN1 is essential for controlling meiotic resumption in mammalian oocytes.
- Dysregulation of maternal transcripts, including PDE3A, by SPIN1 may contribute to meiotic arrest.
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