Pannexin 1 inhibition delays maturation and improves development of Bos taurus oocytes
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RESEARCH
Open Access
Pannexin 1 inhibition delays maturation and improves development of Bos taurus oocytes Zachary Timothy Dye1, Lauren Virginia Rutledge1, Silvia Penuela2 and Paul William Dyce1*
Abstract Background: Intercellular exchange between the oocyte and its surrounding cells within the follicular environment is critical for oocyte maturation and subsequent development. In vertebrates this exchange is facilitated through gap junctions formed by connexin membrane proteins. Another family of membrane proteins called pannexins are able to form single membrane channels that allow cellular exchanges with the extracellular environment. The most ubiquitously expressed and studied member, pannexin 1 (PANX1), has yet to be described thoroughly in female reproductive tissues or functionally studied during oocyte maturation. Here, we look into the expression of pannexin 1 in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), as well as, its potential role in oocyte maturation and development. Results: We show that pannexin 1 is expressed in bovine COCs and that the expression of PANX1 was significantly lower in COCs isolated from large antral follicles (> 5 mm) compared to those isolated from small antral follicles (< 2 mm). Supporting this we also found lower expression of PANX1 in oocytes with higher developmental potential when compared to oocytes with lower developmental potential. We further found that PANX1 channel inhibition during in vitro maturation resulted in temporarily delayed meiotic maturation and improved in vitro developmental outcomes while decreasing intercellular reactive oxygen species. Conclusions: These data suggests PANX1 is differentially expressed at a critical stage of follicular development when oocytes are acquiring developmental competence, and may play a role in the timing of oocyte maturation. Keywords: Cumulus, Developmental biology, Early development, In vitro maturation (IVM), In vitro fertilization (IVF), Oocyte development, Oocyte maturation
Background During folliculogenesis, communication between the oocyte and its surrounding cells is critical for proper maturation of the oocyte following ovulation. Intercellular exchange between the oocyte and follicular cells is facilitated by gap junctional communication [1]. Gap junctions, in mammals, are formed by the family of membrane proteins called connexins [2]. Connexins * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, CASIC Building, 559 Devall Drive, Auburn, AL 36849, USA Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
facilitate the exchange of nutrients, metabolites, and secondary messengers between neighboring cells [3]. Connexins have also been shown to play an important role in oocyte maturation and development, with the loss or reduction of connexin 43 having negative impacts on fertility in multiple species [4–7]. A more recently identified family of membrane proteins named pannexins (PANX), with limited sequence homology to the invertebrate gap junction family of inne
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