Vol 49, No 3 (2011)
Brief communication
Published online: 2011-10-28
Phosphorylated ERK5/BMK1 transiently accumulates within division spindles in mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2011.0074
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(3):528-534.
Abstract
MAP kinases of the ERK family play important roles in oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early
embryo development. The role of the signaling pathway involving ERK5 MAP kinase during meiotic and mitotic
M-phase of the cell cycle is not well known. Here, we studied the localization of the phosphorylated, and thus
potentially activated, form of ERK5 in mouse maturing oocytes and mitotically dividing early embryos. We show
that phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, i.e. likely activation/inactivation of ERK5, correlates with M-phase
progression. Phosphorylated form of ERK5 accumulates in division spindle of both meiotic and mitotic cells,
and precisely co-localizes with spindle microtubules at metaphase. This localization changes drastically in the
anaphase, when phospho-ERK5 completely disappears from microtubules and transits to the cytoplasmic granular,
vesicle-like structures. In telophase oocytes it becomes incorporated into the midbody. Dynamic changes in
the localization of phospho-ERK5 suggests that it may play an important role both in meiotic and mitotic division.
(Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011, Vol. 49, No. 3, 528–534)
Keywords: mouseoocyteembryomeiosismitosisERK5
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