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Engineering stress-tolerant mammalian embryos via a functional trehalose transporter
Ikue Shibasaki1,2, Kentaro Yoshimura3, Tsuyoshi Kasai2
1Center for Life Science Research, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|January 23, 2026
Summary
Transient expression of a trehalose transporter (pvTret1) in mouse embryos enabled intracellular trehalose uptake without affecting development. This trehalose accumulation improved embryo survival after cryopreservation, paving the way for low-toxicity preservation methods.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Trehalose protects cells from stress but mammalian cells lack transporters.
- Intracellular trehalose utility is limited in mammals.
- Novel methods are needed to enable trehalose uptake in mammalian embryos.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if transient expression of pvTret1 enables trehalose uptake in mouse embryos.
- To assess the impact of pvTret1 expression on embryo development and viability.
- To evaluate the potential of trehalose for improving cryopreservation outcomes in embryos.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized mRNA encoding pvTret1-eGFP and microinjected into mouse zygotes.
- Confirmed plasma membrane localization via fluorescence microscopy and assessed structural integrity using AlphaFold.
- Analyzed trehalose uptake and clearance using LC-MS and evaluated embryo development and post-warming survival rates.
Main Results:
- Transient pvTret1 expression did not impair mouse embryo development to the blastocyst stage or live offspring production.
- pvTret1-expressing embryos demonstrated concentration-dependent trehalose uptake and rapid intracellular clearance.
- Embryos loaded with trehalose exhibited enhanced survival rates after vitrification using trehalose-based cryoprotectants.
Conclusions:
- pvTret1 can be functionally expressed in mammalian embryos, enabling transient trehalose accumulation without genetic modification.
- Trehalose uptake via pvTret1 shows promise for developing low-toxicity embryo cryopreservation techniques.
- Further optimization of trehalose loading and preservation strategies could advance reproductive and biomedical applications.
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