Expression of HDAC2 in <i>Hdac2</i>^−/− oocytes restores maturation-associated deacetylation of histone H4K16.

<p>(A) Mutant oocytes were injected with a cRNA (0.4 µg/µl) encoding either <i>Egfp</i> (<i>Hdac2^−/−-</i>C) or <i>Hdac2</i> (<i>Hdac2^−/−-</i>OE) and incubated 24 h in CZB containing milrinone to prevent maturation; controls were wild-type oocytes (WT-C). A portion of the cells was removed for immunoctyochemical detection of HDAC2 whereas the other portion was allowed to mature following transfer to milrinone-free medium. The eggs were then processed for immunocytochemical detection of acetylated histone H4K16. At least 8 cells were analyzed in each group. Shown are representative images. DNA was counterstained with propidium iodide. The bars corresponds to 10 µm. (B) Quantification of the relative amount of acetylated histone H4K16. The data are expressed as mean ± SEM. *, p<0.01.