Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-19-2024
Original Citation
Mills M,
Emori C,
Kumar P,
Boucher Z,
George J,
Bolcun-Filas E.
Single-cell and bulk transcriptional profiling of mouse ovaries reveals novel genes and pathways associated with DNA damage response in oocytes. Dev Biol. 2024;517:55-72.
Keywords
JMG, JGM
JAX Source
Dev Biol. 2024;517:55-72.
ISSN
1095-564X
PMID
39306223
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.09.007
Grant
Research reported in this publication was partially supported by V Scholar Award V2017-019 and the National Cancer Institute under award number P30CA034196.
Abstract
Immature oocytes enclosed in primordial follicles stored in female ovaries are under constant threat of DNA damage induced by endogenous and exogenous factors. Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) is a key mediator of the DNA damage response (DDR) in all cells. Genetic studies have shown that CHEK2 and its downstream targets, p53, and TAp63, regulate primordial follicle elimination in response to DNA damage. However, the mechanism leading to their demise is still poorly characterized. Single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing were used to determine the DDR in wild-type and Chek2-deficient ovaries. A low but oocyte-lethal dose of ionizing radiation induces ovarian DDR that is solely dependent on CHEK2. DNA damage activates multiple response pathways related to apoptosis, p53, interferon signaling, inflammation, cell adhesion, and intercellular communication. These pathways are differentially employed by different ovarian cell types, with oocytes disproportionately affected by radiation. Novel genes and pathways are induced by radiation specifically in oocytes, shedding light on their sensitivity to DNA damage, and implicating a coordinated response between oocytes and pregranulosa cells within the follicle. These findings provide a foundation for future studies on the specific mechanisms regulating oocyte survival in the context of aging, therapeutic and environmental genotoxic exposures.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.