Actin-capping proteins play essential roles in the asymmetric division of maturing mouse oocytes

Actin polymerization is essential for various stages of mammalian oocyte maturation, including spindle migration, actin cap formation, polar body extrusion and cytokinesis. The heterodimeric actin-capping protein is an essential element of the actin cytoskeleton. It binds to the fast-growing (barbed) ends of actin filaments and plays essential roles in various actin-mediated cellular processes. However, the roles of capping protein in mammalian oocyte maturation are poorly understood. We investigated the roles of capping protein in mouse oocytes and found that it is essential for correct asymmetric spindle migration and polar body extrusion. Capping protein mainly localized in the cytoplasm during maturation. By knocking down or ectopically overexpressing this protein, we revealed that it is crucial for efficient spindle migration and maintenance of the cytoplasmic actin mesh density. Expression of the capping-protein-binding region of CARMIL (also known as LRRC16A) impaired spindle migration and polar body extrusion during oocyte maturation and decreased the density of the cytoplasmic actin mesh. Taken together, these findings show that capping protein is an essential component of the actin cytoskeleton machinery that plays crucial roles in oocyte maturation, presumably by controlling the cytoplasmic actin mesh density.