Protein degradation is essential for oogenesis and embryogenesis. The ubiquitin-proteasome system regulates many cellular processes via the rapid degradation of specific proteins. Ubiquitin carboxylterminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) is exclusively expressed in neurons , testis , ovary , and placenta , each of which has unique biological activities. However , the functional role of UCH-L1 in mouse oocytes remains unknown. Here , we report the expression pattern of UCH-L1 and its isozyme UCH-L3 in mouse ovaries and embryos. Using immunocytochemistry , UCH-L1 was selectively detected on the plasma membrane , whereas UCH-L3 was mainly detected in the cytoplasm, suggesting that these isozymes have distinct functions in mouse eggs. To further investigate the functional role of UCH-L1 in mouse eggs, we analyzed the fertilization rate of UCH-L1-deficient ova of gad female mice. Female gad mice had a significantly increased rate of polyspermy in in vitro fertilization assays, although the rate of fertilization did not differ significantly from wild-type mice. In addition, the litter size of gad female mice was significantly reduced compared with wild-type mice. These results may identify UCH-L1 as a candidate for a sperm-oocyte interactive binding or fusion protein on the plasma membrane that functions during the block to polyspermy in mouse oocytes.

A rare case of splenic epidermoid cyst (SEC) of the pancreas discovered in a 32‐year‐old Japanese female is reported. The lesion, 5x6cm in size including caseous material and serous fluid in the lumen, was discovered by ultrasonography and computed tomography at the tail of the pancreas and was easily removed. Histopathologically, the cystic wall consisted of three components: the inside was lined by mature squamous epithelium with keratinization, the middle layer consisted of splenic pulp with a sinus structure, and the peripheral layer was dense fibrous connective tissue in which some involutional pancreatic ducts and islets were recognized. The literature about SEC of the pancreas is discussed in comparison with other types of epidermoid cyst including lymphoepithelial cyst and dermoid cyst in the pancreas. Acta Pathol Jpn 41: 916 921, 1991.

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