| First Author | Leader B | Year | 2002 |
| Journal | Nat Cell Biol | Volume | 4 |
| Issue | 12 | Pages | 921-8 |
| PubMed ID | 12447394 | Mgi Jnum | J:81246 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:2448435 | Doi | 10.1038/ncb880 |
| Citation | Leader B, et al. (2002) Formin-2, polyploidy, hypofertility and positioning of the meiotic spindle in mouse oocytes. Nat Cell Biol 4(12):921-8 |
| abstractText | Successful reproduction in mammals requires a competent egg, which is formed during meiosis through two assymetrical cell divisions. Here, we show that a recently identified formin homology (FH) gene, formin-2 (Fmn2), is a maternal-effect gene that is expressed in oocytes and is required for progression through metaphase of meiosis I. Fmn2(-/-) oocytes cannot correctly position the metaphase spindle during meiosis I and form the first polar body. We demonstrate that Fmn2 is required for microtubule-independent chromatin positioning during metaphase I. Fertilization of Fmn2(-/-) oocytes results in polyploid embryo formation, recurrent pregnancy loss and sub-fertility in Fmn2(-/-) females. Injection of Fmn2 mRNA into Fmn2-deficient oocytes rescues the metaphase I block. Given that errors in meiotic maturation result in severe birth defects and are the most common cause of chromosomal aneuploidy and pregnancy loss in humans, studies of Fmn2 may provide a better understanding of infertility and birth defects. |
