Abstract
Suv4-20h was initially characterised as a histone methyltransferase (HMTase) that catalyses lysine 20 of histone H4 dimethylation (H4K20me2) and trimethylation (H4K20me3). In the present study, using RNA interference (RNAi), we found that Suv4-20h activity is required for the fidelity of chromosome distribution during meiosis in the mammalian oocyte. Knockdown of Suv4-20h resulted in attenuation of H4K20me3 and the accumulation of H4K20me1. After Suv4-20h knockdown, oocytes exhibited an increasing percentage of aberrant chromosome alignment in MI, together with a decreasing percentage of polar body I extrusion. We conclude that Suv4-20h may be required for normal chromosome behaviour and that it is crucial for proper meiotic progression in mammalian oocytes.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Centromere / metabolism
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Epigenesis, Genetic
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Heterochromatin / metabolism
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Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / antagonists & inhibitors
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Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / genetics
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Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / metabolism*
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Histones / metabolism
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Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
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Isoenzymes / genetics
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Isoenzymes / metabolism
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Lysine / metabolism
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Meiosis*
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Metaphase
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Methylation
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Mice
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Oocytes / cytology
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Oocytes / metabolism*
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Oogenesis*
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Polar Bodies / cytology
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Polar Bodies / metabolism
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Protein Processing, Post-Translational
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RNA Interference
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
Substances
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Heterochromatin
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Histones
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Isoenzymes
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RNA, Messenger
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Suv4-20h protein, mouse
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Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
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Lysine