Apicobasal RNA asymmetries regulate cell fate in the early mouse embryo

Hawdon, A; Geoghegan, ND; Mohenska, M; Elsenhans, A; Ferguson, C; Polo, JM; Parton, RG; Zenker, J

Author(s): Hawdon, A; Geoghegan, ND; Mohenska, M; Elsenhans, A; Ferguson, C; Polo, JM; Parton, RG; Zenker, J;
Details: Publication Year 2023-05-30,Volume 14,Issue #1,Page 2909
Journal Title: Nature Communications
Abstract: The spatial sorting of RNA transcripts is fundamental for the refinement of gene expression to distinct subcellular regions. Although, in non-mammalian early embryogenesis, differential RNA localisation presages cell fate determination, in mammals it remains unclear. Here, we uncover apical-to-basal RNA asymmetries in outer blastomeres of 16-cell stage mouse preimplantation embryos. Basally directed RNA transport is facilitated in a microtubule- and lysosome-mediated manner. Yet, despite an increased accumulation of RNA transcripts in basal regions, higher translation activity occurs at the more dispersed apical RNA foci, demonstrated by spatial heterogeneities in RNA subtypes, RNA-organelle interactions and translation events. During the transition to the 32-cell stage, the biased inheritance of RNA transcripts, coupled with differential translation capacity, regulates cell fate allocation of trophectoderm and cells destined to form the pluripotent inner cell mass. Our study identifies a paradigm for the spatiotemporal regulation of post-transcriptional gene expression governing mammalian preimplantation embryogenesis and cell fate.
Publisher: NPG
Keywords: Mice; Animals; RNA/metabolism; Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism; Cell Differentiation/genetics; Blastocyst/metabolism; Embryonic Development/genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Mammals/genetics
Research Division(s): Advanced Technology And Biology
PubMed ID: 37253716
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38436-2
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38436-2
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Documents: s41467-023-38436-2.pdf - (32.03MB, application/pdf)

Creation Date: 2023-06-07 03:08:33

Last Modified: 2023-06-15 02:10:45