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CENP-A regulates chromosome segregation during the first meiosis of mouse oocytes

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Summary

Proper chromosome separation in both mitosis and meiosis depends on the correct connection between kinetochores of chromosomes and spindle microtubules. Kinetochore dysfunction can lead to unequal distribution of chromosomes during cell division and result in aneuploidy, thus kinetochores are critical for faithful segregation of chromosomes. Centromere protein A (CENP-A) is an important component of the inner kinetochore plate. Multiple studies in mitosis have found that deficiencies in CENP-A could result in structural and functional changes of kinetochores, leading to abnormal chromosome segregation, aneuploidy and apoptosis in cells. Here we report the expression and function of CENP-A during mouse oocyte meiosis. Our study found that microinjection of CENP-A blocking antibody resulted in errors of homologous chromosome segregation and caused aneuploidy in eggs. Thus, our findings provide evidence that CENP-A is critical for the faithful chromosome segregation during mammalian oocyte meiosis.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Shi-wen LI and Hua QIN for their technical help with confocal laser microscopy. We also thank the other members in Dr. Sun’s laboratory for their kind discussions and help.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China

    Li Li  (李 莉) & Shi-ling Chen  (陈士岭)

  2. State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Shu-tao Qi  (戚树涛) & Qing-yuan Sun  (孙青原)

Authors
  1. Li Li  (李 莉)
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  2. Shu-tao Qi  (戚树涛)
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  3. Qing-yuan Sun  (孙青原)
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  4. Shi-ling Chen  (陈士岭)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shi-ling Chen  (陈士岭).

Additional information

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30930065 and No. 31271605).

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Li, L., Qi, St., Sun, Qy. et al. CENP-A regulates chromosome segregation during the first meiosis of mouse oocytes. J. Huazhong Univ. Sci. Technol. [Med. Sci.] 37, 313–318 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-017-1733-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-017-1733-9

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