DNA damage in the oocytes SACs

The DNA damage response in mammalian oocytes

DNA damage is one of the most common insults that challenge all cells. To cope, an elaborate molecular and cellular response has evolved to sense, respond to and correct the damage. This allows the maintenance of DNA fidelity essential for normal cell viability and the prevention of genomic instability that can lead to tumor formation. In the context of oocytes, the impact of DNA damage is not ...

DNA damage responses in mammalian oocytes.

DNA damage acquired during meiosis can lead to infertility and miscarriage. Hence, it should be important for an oocyte to be able to detect and respond to such events in order to make a healthy egg. Here, the strategies taken by oocytes during their stages of growth to respond to DNA damaging events are reviewed. In particular, recent evidence of a novel pathway in fully grown oocytes helps pr...

Oocytes Progress beyond Prophase in the Presence of DNA Damage

In the female germline, DNA damage has the potential to induce infertility and even to lead to genetic abnormalities that may be propagated to the resulting embryo [1, 2]. The protracted arrest in meiotic prophase makes oocytes particularly susceptible to the accumulation of environmental insults, including DNA damage. Despite this significant potential to harm reproductive capacity, surprising...

DNA damage induces a meiotic arrest in mouse oocytes mediated by the spindle assembly checkpoint

Extensive damage to maternal DNA during meiosis causes infertility, birth defects and abortions. However, it is unknown if fully grown oocytes have a mechanism to prevent the creation of DNA-damaged embryos. Here we show that DNA damage activates a pathway involving the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) in response to chemically induced double strand breaks, UVB and ionizing radiation. DNA dama...

Radiation track and DNA damage