Live-cell imaging of nuclear dynamics in oocyte during follicle culture

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18H02357
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42030:Animal life science-related
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: YAMAGATA Kazuo 近畿大学, 生物理工学部, 教授 (10361312)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 体外卵胞培養 / 再構成卵胞 / クロマチン / ライブセルイメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we established a method for observing nuclear chromatin dynamics during follicle development and maturation, and evaluated it by live-cell imaging. In particular, as a result of observing the nuclear localization of the pericentromeric region existing near the chromosomal centromere, we succeeded in continuously evaluating the dynamics of methylated DNA in the nucleus in three dimensions. We also revealed that nuclear chromatin dynamics during follicle maturation are associated with development of embryos. Moreover, we succeeded in evaluating the nuclear chromatin dynamics during follicle development and oocyte maturation under minimally invasive conditions and linking them to the subsequent development. The methodology established in the present study provided a new methodology for the study of oogenesis.

Free Research Field

発生工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、卵胞発育・卵子成熟過程における核内クロマチン動態を低侵襲な条件で評価し、その後の発生率と結びつけることにはじめて成功した。ここで確立された方法論は、これまで卵巣内でブラックボックスとなっていた卵子形成における研究に新しい方法論を提供したことになった。また、受精直後や初期胚発生におけるクロマチン変換の研究に対しても相乗効果がある。特に本研究で検討を開始した単一胚移植の成功は、本研究に加え生殖補助医療の基礎技術として応用性が高く、特筆すべき成果である。