Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Multi-Photon Laser Ablation of Cytoplasmic Microtubule Organizing Centers in Mouse Oocytes
08:24

Multi-Photon Laser Ablation of Cytoplasmic Microtubule Organizing Centers in Mouse Oocytes

Published on: November 11, 2022

2.0K

PLK1 is required for chromosome compaction and microtubule organization in mouse oocytes

Tara M Little1, Philip W Jordan1

  • 1Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.

Molecular Biology of the Cell
|April 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is crucial for oocyte meiotic resumption. Conditional knockout of PLK1 in mice causes infertility due to defective chromosome organization and spindle formation during meiosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Meiotic errors in oocytes lead to chromosome missegregation and infertility.
  • Polo-like kinases (PLKs), including PLK1, are implicated in meiotic resumption coordination.
  • Previous studies on PLK1 function were limited by embryonic lethality of null mutations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specific role of PLK1 in oocyte meiotic resumption using a conditional knockout mouse model.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying PLK1-dependent meiotic progression.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a conditional knockout (cKO) mouse model for targeted mutation of Plk1 in oocytes.
  • Analysis of oocyte maturation, chromosome organization, spindle formation, and protein localization during meiotic resumption.
  • Assessment of fertility in Plk1 cKO mice.

Main Results:

  • Plk1 cKO mice exhibited infertility despite normal oocyte numbers and follicle maturation.
  • Plk1 cKO oocytes showed defects in bivalent chromosome formation and cohesin/condensin localization.
  • Abnormalities in α-tubulin organization and bipolar spindle formation were observed in Plk1 cKO oocytes.
  • Aberrant release of C-NAP1 and impaired recruitment of MTOC components and LISD factors were identified.

Conclusions:

  • PLK1 is essential for proper chromosome organization and spindle assembly during oocyte meiotic resumption.
  • PLK1 regulates C-NAP1 release and MTOC/LISD factor recruitment, crucial for meiotic progression.
  • Disruption of PLK1 function leads to meiosis I arrest and infertility.

More Related Videos

Using Mouse Oocytes to Assess Human Gene Function During Meiosis I11:13

Using Mouse Oocytes to Assess Human Gene Function During Meiosis I

Published on: April 10, 2018

9.3K
Evaluation of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Integrity in Mouse Oocytes10:09

Evaluation of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Integrity in Mouse Oocytes

Published on: September 13, 2022

2.5K

Related Concept Videos

Meiosis II02:02

Meiosis II

Meiosis II entails cell division and segregation of the sister chromatids, resulting in the production of four unique haploid gametes. The steps for meiosis II are similar to mitosis, except that meiosis II occurs in haploid cells, whereas mitosis occurs in diploid cells.
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
48.8K
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis02:15

M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis

Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
6.2K
Meiosis vs. Mitosis02:57

Meiosis vs. Mitosis

Cell division is necessary for growth and reproduction in organisms. Mitosis aids cell growth and development by dividing somatic cells. In contrast, meiosis causes the division of germ cells and plays an essential role in sexual reproduction. Due to their unique functional requirements, mitosis and meiosis differ from each other in multiple aspects.
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
69.0K
Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)01:42

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

Microtubule function and architecture are regulated by an array of specialized proteins called microtubule-associated proteins or MAPs. These proteins are widespread across different organisms and have conserved protein motifs, like the multi-TOG domain for tubulin binding found in the CLASP family of MAPs. Some MAPs are lineage-specific based on their conserved domains. Their functions depend upon the cytoskeletal architecture and cell type they are located within. In-plant cells, a specific...
5.6K
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated...
5.9K
Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
3.7K