Differentially Expressed mRNA Profiles between Immature Germinal Vesicle(GV) and Mature Metaphase II(MII) Mouse Oocytes

ABSTRACT: Oocyte maturation refers to the process that prophase I arrested germinal vesicle(GV) drives the progression of meiosis to metaphase II(MII) to have the capacity for fertilization and embryo development. To better understand the molecular mechanism(s) involved in oocyte maturation, we identified differentially expressed genes(DEGs) between GV and MII mouse oocytes using a new innovative annealing control primer (ACP) technology. Using 20 ACPs, we successfully cloned 32 DEGs between GV and MII oocytes, and 26 out of these 32 DEGs were functionally known genes. Four genes including Pscd2 were GV-specific, 10 genes including PKD2 and CSN3 were highly expressed in GV oocytes(GV-selective), and 12 genes including Diva were highly expressed in MII oocytes (MII-selective). All of the genes identified in this study were first reported in the oocyte expression using ACP system and especially, we could characterize the existence of PKD-CSN signaling pathwayin the mouse oocytes. Results of the present study would provid