Global gene expression analysis in fetal mouse ovaries with and without meiosis and comparison of selected genes with meiosis in the testis

Abstract

In order to identify novel genes involved in early meiosis and early ovarian development in the mouse, we used microarray technology to compare transcriptional activity in ovaries without meiotic germ cells at embryonic age 11.5 (E11.5) and E13.5 ovaries with meiosis. Overall, 182 genes were differentially expressed; 134 were known genes and 48 were functionally uncharacterized. A comparison of our data with the literature associated, for the first time, at least eight of the known genes with female meiosis/germ cell differentiation (Aldh1a1, C2pa, Tex12, Stk31, Lig3, Id4, Recql, Piwil2). These genes had previously only been described in spermatogenesis. The microarray also detected an abundance of vesicle-related genes of which four were upregulated (Syngr2, Stxbp1, Ric-8, SytIX) and one (Myo1c) was downregulated in E13.5 ovaries. Detailed analysis showed that the temporal expression of SytIX also coincided with the first meiotic wave in the pubertal testis. This is the first time that SytIX has been reported in non-neuronal tissue. Finally, we examined the expression of one of the uncharacterized genes and found it to be gonad-specific in adulthood. We named this novel transcript "Gonad-expressed transcript 1" (Get-1). In situ hybridization showed that Get-1 was expressed in meiotic germ cells in both fetal ovaries and mature testis. Get-1 is therefore a novel gene in both male and female meiosis.

STK31 Is a Cell-Cycle Regulated Protein That Contributes to the Tumorigenicity of Epithelial Cancer Cells

“…Human STK31 is expressed in spermatogonia and spermatocytes [35], [36], and mouse Stk31 has been shown to be expressed in the meiosis-related genes in the mouse fetal ovary [37]. Our preliminary results show that Stk31 localizes to the centrosomal region in mouse spermatogonial cells (GC-1 cell line, data not shown).…”

Screening of genes involved in chromosome segregation during meiosis I: in vitro gene transfer to mouse fetal oocytes

“…[20][21][22][23] Although gene expression profile data for fetal or neonatal ovaries have been provided in mouse and human, and have enabled the analysis of genes involved in the initiation of meiosis, the sex differentiation of the gonad, early meiosis, and ovarian and follicle development, investigations of meiotic prophase I have been lacking. [24][25][26][27][28] In yeast, it is estimated that B150 genes may be meiosis-specific. 29,30 In our current study, we screened 99 genes that are upregulated during prophase in meiosis I.…”

Identification of the genes regulated by Wnt-4, a critical signal for commitment of the ovary

“…To achieve a more comprehensive view of the molecular mechanisms of mammalian sex determination and early gonad organogenesis, genome-wide technologies such as microarrays have been used [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] . To study the roles of Wnt-4 in the ovarian vasculature [18] and in the differentiation of granulosa cells [19] such method was carried on, although the molecular mechanisms by which Wnt-4 controls early sexual development remain poorly characterized.…”