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Journal of Biochemistry Advance Access published online on January 22, 2008
Journal of Biochemistry, doi:10.1093/jb/mvn001
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© 2008 The Japanese Biochemical Society

JB Minireview

Capturing Epigenetic Dynamics during Preimplantation Development Using Live Cell Imaging

Kazuo Yamagata*

Laboratory for Genomic Reprogramming, Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN-Kobe, Minatojima-minamimachi 2-2-3, Chuo-ku, Kobe city, 651-0047, Kobe Japan

*To whom correspondence should be addressed: Dr. Kazuo Yamagata: Laboratory for Genomic Reprogramming, Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN-Kobe, Minatojima-minamimachi 2-2-3, Chuo-ku, Kobe city, 651-0047, Kobe Japan. Tel: +81-78-306-3094, Fax: +81-78-306-3095, E-mail: yamagata{at}cdb.riken.jp

Received November 30, 2007; Accepted December 7, 2007


  Abstract

During mammalian fertilization and preimplantation development, the highly differentiated gametes revert to undifferentiated cell types following syngamy and then gradually differentiate into individual cell lineages. These processes involve changes in male and female gamete chromatin structure, in global epigenetic modifications and in nuclear architecture. I and my colleagues have developed a live cell imaging technique for oocytes and early embryos to understand these series of phenomena. Using this technique, we were able to observe dynamic changes in DNA methylation status in living embryos. Furthermore, epigenetic abnormalities were detected in reconstructed embryos generated by round spermatid injection or by somatic cell nuclear transfer. In this review, I will discuss the usefulness and possibilities of this imaging technique in studies on nuclear dynamics during fertilization and preimplantation development.

Key Words: Preimplantation development, Epigenetics, DNA methylation, Live cell imaging, Somatic cell nuclear transfer


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