Txndc9 (thioredoxin domain containing protein 9) has been shown to be involved in mammalian mitosis; however, its function in mammalian oocyte meiosis remains unclear. In this study, we initially found that Txndc9 is expressed during meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes and higher expression of Txndc9 mRNA and protein occurred in germinal vesicle (GV) stage. By using confocal scanning, we observ...

JMY is a transcriptional co-factor of p53. Latest work has revealed that JMY is also an actin nucleation factor that regulates new filament assembly and activates Arp2/3 complex in somatic cells; however, roles of JMY in mouse oocyte are unknown. Here we showed the expression and functions of JMY during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. JMY mRNA is expressed largely from germinal vesicle to meta...

Cortical granules are secretory vesicles poised at the cortex of an egg that, upon stimulation by sperm contact at fertilization, secrete their contents. These contents modify the extracellular environment and block additional sperm from reaching the egg. The role of cortical granules in blocking polyspermy is conserved throughout much of phylogeny. In the sea urchin, cortical granules accumula...