Effects of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 deficiency on mouse ova

Abstract

Maternal proteins are rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system during oocyte maturation in mice. Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is highly and specifically expressed in mouse ova and is involved in the polyspermy block. However, the role of UCHL1 in the underlying mechanism of polyspermy block is poorly understood. To address this issue, we performed a comprehensive proteomic analysis to identify maternal proteins that were relevant to the role of UCHL1 in mouse ova using UCHL1-deficient gad. Furthermore, we assessed morphological features in gad mouse ova using transmission electron microscopy. NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing (NALP) family proteins and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones were identified by proteomic analysis. We also found that the 'maternal antigen that embryos require' (NLRP5 (MATER)) protein level increased significantly in gad mouse ova compared with that in wild-type mice. In an ultrastructural study, gad mouse ova contained less ER in the cortex than in wild-type mice. These results provide new insights into the role of UCHL1 in the mechanism of polyspermy block in mouse ova.

Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1 Is Expressed in Mouse Pituitary Gonadotropes <i>In Vivo</i> and Gonadotrope Cell Lines <i>In Vitro</i>

“…The HPG-axis is composed of three separate components which interact together to fulfill their assignments and are crucial to reproduction. Previous studies on UCH-L1 have mainly and intensively focused on its roles in neurons and genital organs of both sexes [14, 16, 26, 38, 39]. However, the expression and the role of UCH-L1 in the pituitary gland have remained largely unknown.…”

“…Among the components in the HPG-axis, it has been demonstrated the association of UCH-L1 with monoubiquitin in the neurons, in which UCH-L1 stabilized monoubiquitin, as well as the regulatory function of UCH-L1 in apoptosis in the testicular germ cells [17, 22]. Furthermore, a novel role of UCH-L1 in polyspermy block has also been elucidated in mouse ova [14, 27]. However, the precise distribution of UCH-L1 in the anterior pituitary gland has not yet been demonstrated in detail.…”

Transcriptome and Proteome Analysis Revealed Key Pathways Regulating Final Stage of Oocyte Maturation of the Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

“…Among them, we identified the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1, the ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes E2− and E3−type ubiquitin ligases (E3 HECT and target E3 protein RING) as well as deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), which catalyze the removal of ubiquitin and regulate ubiquitin-mediated pathways ( Figure 1 c). One DUB of particular interest is ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), present in the plasma membrane of oocytes, which is required to block polyspermy in mammals [ 49 ]. UCHL1 is essential for proper functioning of UPS [ 50 ].…”

Ovarian Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Differential Expression Genes Associated with Cell Death Process after Selection for Ovulation Rate in Rabbits

“…Its relevant functions are being anti-apoptotic [ 42 , 43 ], a tumor suppressor by inducing G0/G1cell cycle arrest [ 43 ], and enhancement of cell proliferation [ 44 ]. UCHL1 is highly and specifically expressed in mouse ova and is involved in the polyspermy block [ 45 ]. Moreover, UCHL1 is also involved in oocyte development and maturation [ 46 , 47 ].…”