Regulation of the oocyte-to-zygote transition

Michael L. Stitzel, Geraldine Seydoux

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

175 Scopus citations

Abstract

Oocytes, the female germ cells, contain all the messenger RNAs necessary to start a new life but typically wait until fertilization to begin development. The transition from oocyte to fertilized egg (zygote) involves many changes, including protein synthesis, protein and RNA degradation, and organelle remodeling. These changes occur concurrently with the meiotic divisions that produce the haploid maternal genome. Accumulating evidence indicates that the cell-cycle regulators that control the meiotic divisions also regulate the many changes that accompany the oocyte-to-zygote transition. We suggest that the meiotic machinery functions as an internal pacemaker that propels oocytes toward embryogenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)407-408
Number of pages2
JournalScience
Volume316
Issue number5823
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 20 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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