Introduction
Oocytes are errorprone
- As we can visualize in the figure the oocyte is going through meiosis, a asymmetric
division.
- Main reason for these asymmetric divisions is to concentrate all cellular resources into
one single egg cell, rather than dividing them between two equally sized cells.
Spindle positioning in oocytes in essesntial for asymmetric division
- Crucial for determining whether daughter cells undergo symmetric and asymmetric
division, impacting developmental outcomes
Spindle off-centering ensures cytoplasm retention in oocyte
- Ensures asymmetric division and prepares for polar body extrusion
Actin filaments (F-actin) and spindle microtubules interact to position the spindle
- F-actin plays a crucial role in spindle positioning, creating a dynamic network that
supports spindle migration
- Spindle microtubules play a role in orienting the spindle, help stabilize the asymmetric
position and generate polling forces that help move and anchor the spindle within the
cell
MYO10 connect F-actin to spindle microtubules, influencing spindle positioning
- Study investigates MYO10’s role in linking F-actin and microtubules during spindle
positioning.
- MYO10 is present in mouse oocytes but is not critical for actin organization, spindle
positioning or female fertility
Aim
To investigate whether MYO10 directly links F-actin to spindle microtubules in mouse oocytes,
and thus participates in spindle off-centering.
Methods and Results
1. MYO10 does not localise to the spindle
- Immunofluorescence microscopy
Fixed mouse oocytes were stained with antibodies against α-tubulin (to
visualize microtubules) and MYO10 (to detect its localization).
Confocal spinning disk microscopy was used to capture images of the oocytes at
the metaphase stage.
- Figures
1A- after staining we can visualize the spindle and how Myo10 is present in all
around the sample
However in 1G- we can see whow they isolate Myo10 and this is a clear
demonstration of how it’s not present
- Results:
MYO10 is not enriched at the spindle in mouse oocytes during meiosis I.
MYO10 is across the cytoplasm, with no noticeable accumulation on the spindle
or spindle poles.
3. MYO10 is not required for female fertility
- Fertility Test:
Female mice with Myo10−/− oocytes (Myo10flox/flox; Cre+) were mated
with wild-type male mice.
The number of pups per litter produced by Myo10−/− female mice was
recorded and compared with that of control female mice (Myo10flox/flox;
Cre−), which have functional MYO10 in their oocytes.
As it was visualized in prior experiments, we do know that this mice is really
heathy, therefore we know that fertility will be heathy as well
- Results:
No significant difference of the average number of pups per litter between the
two groups.
Conclusion
MYO10 is dispensable in mouse oocytes.
- MYO10 is not required for spindle localisation and morphogenesis
- MYO10 does not affect F-actin organisation and spindle positioning.
- MYO10 does not transmit forces from the actin cage to the meiotic spindle by
crosslinking F-actin and spindle microtubules.
- MYO10 is not required for female fertility.
Negative result to the aim:
- MYO10 does not directly link F-actin to spindle microtubules in mouse oocytes, and thus
not participating in spindle off-centering.
Discussion
Differences between mouse oocytes and other models
- Lack of centrosomes and astral microtubules in oocytes (but MYO10 often interacts with
astral microtubules)
- Absence of spindle oscillation and rotation during metaphase (more linear in mouse)
- Cytoplasmic actin architecture (The actin cage around the spindle in mouse oocytes
consists of linear F-actin, whereas MYO10 may preferentially interact with branched F-
actin in other cells.)
Possible alternatives force transmission mechanisms
- Direct F-actin-chromosome interactions
- Other potential crosslinkers
Myosins (e.g. MYO7a, MYO7b, MYO15a)
Microtubule-based motors (e.g. NabKin, KIF14)
Need further research to fully understand the mechanisms of spindle positioning and
chromosome segregation in mouse oocytes, with broader implications for female reproductive
biology and fertility.
