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Published on: July 30, 2020
PI3K inhibitor reduces in vitro maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes
Yafei Jiao1, Jiaojiao Li1, Shaoqian Zhu1
1State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China.
Abstract:
The phosphatidylinositol -3- kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is critical for the cell proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism, DNA repair and protein synthesis. Significant effort has focused on elucidating the relationship between PI3K signaling pathway and other nuclear signal transducers; However, little is known about the connection between PI3K signaling pathway and porcine oocyte meiotic maturation. In this study, we investigated the function of PI3K signaling pathway in porcine oocytes. PI3K signaling pathway was important during oocyte maturation. Furthermore, the PI3K signaling pathway inhibitor LY-294002 blocked porcine oocyte maturation, reducing the percentage of oocytes that first polar body (PBI) extrusion. LY-294002 also decreased the expression of oocyte proliferation-related gene PCNA and reduced the mRNA and protein levels of PI3K. What's more, LY-294002 also decreased other maturation-related genes that are predominantly expressed duringporcine oocyte maturation, including bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BPM15), growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), cell division cycle protein 2 (CDC2), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), CyclinB1, MOS and Akt. LY-294002 treatment decreased the developmental potential of blastocysts following parthenogenetic activation, increased the level of cell apoptosis and reduced the level of cell-cycle. This study revealed that inhibiting the PI3K signaling pathway could reduce in vitro maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes, probably by reducing cell cycle arrest and proliferation, promoting the oocyte apoptosis, and altering the expression of other maternal genes.
Insights
The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is vital for porcine oocyte maturation. Inhibiting PI3K reduces maturation, developmental potential, and alters gene expression, impacting cell cycle and apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway regulates critical cellular processes like proliferation and apoptosis.
- Its role in porcine oocyte meiotic maturation remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of the PI3K signaling pathway in porcine oocyte maturation.
- To determine the effects of PI3K inhibition on oocyte maturation and developmental competence.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of porcine oocytes with the PI3K inhibitor LY-294002.
- Assessment of meiotic maturation (first polar body extrusion).
- Analysis of gene and protein expression (PCNA, PI3K, BMP15, GDF9, CDC2, PTEN, CyclinB1, MOS, Akt).
- Evaluation of blastocyst developmental potential and apoptosis levels.
Main Results:
- LY-294002 significantly blocked porcine oocyte maturation and first polar body extrusion.
- Inhibition decreased proliferation-related gene PCNA and altered expression of key maturation genes (BMP15, GDF9, CDC2, PTEN, CyclinB1, MOS, Akt).
- LY-294002 treatment reduced blastocyst developmental potential, increased apoptosis, and decreased cell-cycle progression.
Conclusions:
- The PI3K signaling pathway is crucial for in vitro maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes.
- Inhibiting PI3K negatively impacts oocyte maturation by affecting cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, and maternal gene expression.
