Aging alters histone H3 lysine 4 methylation in mouse germinal vesicle stage oocytes

• DOI: 10.1071/rd13293
• Publication Date: 2014-01-03T00:32:57Z
• Authors: Gen-Bao Shao; Jie Wang; Liu-Ping Zhang; Chao-Yang Wu; Jie Jin; Jian-Rong Sang; Hong-Yan Lu; Ai-Hua Gong; Feng-Yi Du; Wan-Xin Peng
• Keywords: Germinal vesicle; Demethylase; Histone Methylation

Decreasing oocyte competence with maternal aging is a major factor in mammalian infertility. One of the factors contributing to this infertility changes chromatin modifications, such as histone acetylation old MII stage oocytes. Recent studies indicate that at arise germinal vesicle (GV) stage. We hypothesised methylation could also change GV To test hypothesis, we examined mono-, di- and trimethylation H3 lysine 4 (H3K4 me1, me2 me3, respectively) young older oocytes from 6-8- 42-44-week-old mice, respectively. found H3K4 me3 decreased compared (100% vs. 81% 100% 87%, respectively; P<0.05). later increased (21% 56%; expression genes encoding demethylases (K)-specific demethylase 1A (Kdm1a) retinol binding protein 2 (Rbp2). Expression Kdm1a both mRNA levels oocytes, but (P<0.05), was negatively correlated levels. Conversely, Rbp2 not Finally, showed inhibition restored those seen 'young' (41% 38%; P>0.05). These results suggest may represent molecular mechanism underlying human caused by aging.