Study question: What is the effect of beta-O-linked glycosylation (O-GlcNAcylation) on specific proteins in the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) under hyperglycaemic conditions?
Summary answer: Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) was identified and confirmed as being O-GlcNAcylated in mouse COCs under hyperglycaemic conditions (modelled using glucosamine), causing detrimental outcomes for embryo development.
What is known already: O-GlcNAcylation of proteins occurs as a result of increased activity of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway, which provides substrates for cumulus matrix production during COC maturation, and also for O-GlcNAcylation. COCs matured under hyperglycaemic conditions have decreased developmental competence, mediated at least in part through the mechanism of increased O-GlcNAcylation.
Study design, size, duration: This study was designed to examine the effect of hyperglycaemic conditions (using the hyperglycaemic mimetic, glucosamine) on O-GlcNAc levels in the mouse COC, and furthermore to identify potential candidate proteins which are targets of this modification, and their roles in oocyte maturation.
Participants/materials, setting, methods: COCs from 21-day-old superovulated CBA × C57BL6 F1 hybrid female mice were matured in vitro (IVM). Levels of O-GlcNAcylated proteins, HSP90 and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT, the enzyme responsible for O-GlcNAcylation) in COCs were measured using western blot, and localization observed using immunocytochemistry. For glycosylated HSP90 levels, and to test OGT-HSP90 interaction, immunoprecipitation was performed prior to western blotting. Embryo development was assessed using in vitro fertilization and embryo culture post-maturation.
Main results and the role of chance: Addition of the hyperglycaemic mimetic glucosamine to IVM medium for mouse COCs increased detectable O-GlcNAcylated protein levels (by western blot and immunocytochemistry), and this effect was reversed using an OGT inhibitor (P < 0.05). HSP90 was identified as a target of O-GlcNAcylation in the COC, and inhibition of HSP90 during IVM reversed glucosamine-induced decreases in oocyte developmental competence (P < 0.05). We also demonstrated the novel finding of an association between HSP90 and OGT in COCs, suggesting a possible client-chaperone relationship.
Limitations, reasons for caution: In vitro maturation of COCs was used so that treatment time could be limited to the 17 h of maturation prior to ovulation. Additionally, glucosamine, a hyperglycaemic mimetic, was used because it specifically activates the hexosamine pathway which provides the O-GlcNAc moieties. The results in this study should be confirmed using in vivo models of hyperglycaemia and different HSP90 inhibitors.
Wider implications of the findings: This study leads to a new understanding of how diabetes influences oocyte competence and provides insight into possible therapeutic interventions based on inhibiting HSP90 to improve oocyte quality.
Study funding/competing interest(s): This work was supported by a programme grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia, ID 453556. J.G.T. is a recipient of funding from and a consultant to Cook Medical Pty Ltd. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Keywords: HSP90; O-GlcNAc; hexosamine pathway; hyperglycaemia; oocyte developmental competence.