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General Comment |
NCBI Summary:
Human chromosomal region 11p15.5 contains two clusters of epigenetically-regulated genes that are expressed from only one chromosome in a parent-of-origin manner. Each cluster, or imprinted domain, is regulated by a functionally independent imprinting control region (ICR). The human CDKN1C/KCNQ1OT1 domain is regulated by an ICR located in an intron of KCNQ1, and contains at least eight genes that are expressed exclusively or preferentially from the maternally-inherited allele. The DNA of the ICR is specifically methylated on the maternally-inherited chromosome, and unmethylated on the paternally-inherited chromosome. The ICR contains the promoter of the KCNQ1OT1 gene that is exclusively expressed from the paternal allele. The KCNQ1OT1 transcript is the antisense to the KCNQ1 gene and is a unspliced long non-coding RNA. It interacts with chromatin and regulates transcription of multiple target genes through epigenetic modifications. The transcript is abnormally expressed from both chromosomes in most patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, and the transcript also plays an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2012]
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Comment |
Human in vitro oocyte maturation is not associated with increased imprinting error rates at LIT1, SNRPN, PEG3 and GTL2. Kuhtz J 2014 et al.
STUDY QUESTION
Does in vitro maturation (IVM) of cumulus-enclosed germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes retrieved from small antral follicles in minimally stimulated cycles without an ovulatory hCG dose induce imprinting errors at LIT1, SNRPN, PEG3 and GTL2 in human oocytes?
SUMMARY ANSWER
There is no significant increase in imprinting mutations at LIT1, SNRPN, PEG3 and GTL2 after IVM of cumulus-enclosed GV oocytes from small antral follicles in minimally stimulated cycles without hCG priming.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Animal models have generally demonstrated correct methylation imprint establishment for in vitro grown and matured oocytes. For human IVM, well-designed studies allowing conclusions on imprint establishment are currently not available.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Immature oocyte-cumulus complexes from 2 to 9 mm follicles were retrieved in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) subjects in minimally stimulated cycles without hCG priming and matured in vitro. In vivo grown oocytes were retrieved after conventional ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI or after ovulation induction. Imprinting error rates at three maternally methylated (LIT1, SNRPN and PEG3) and one paternally methylated (GTL2) imprinted genes were compared in 71 in vitro and 38 in vivo matured oocytes.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
The limiting dilution bisulfite sequencing technique was applied, allowing increased sensitivity based on multiplex PCR for the imprinted genes and the inclusion of non-imprinted marker genes for cumulus cell DNA contamination.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
In vitro as well as in vivo matured oocytes showed only a few abnormal alleles, consistent with epimutations. The abnormalities were more frequent in immature than in mature oocytes for both groups, although no significant difference was reached. There was no statistically significant increase in imprinting errors in IVM oocytes.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
This single cell methylation analysis was restricted to a number of well-selected imprinted genes. Genome-wide methylation analysis of single human oocytes is currently not possible.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
IVM is a patient-friendly alternative to conventional ovarian stimulation in PCOS patients and is associated with reduced gonadotrophin costs and avoidance of OHSS. The results of this study show for the first time that optimized human IVM procedures have no significant effects on the establishment of maternal DNA methylation patterns at LIT1, SNRPN, PEG3 and GTL2.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS
This study was supported by research funds from Agentschap voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Technologie (IWT-TBM 110680), Wetenschappelijk Fonds Willy Gepts (WFWG 2011) and German Research Foundation (HA 1374/12-2). There are no competing interests.
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Dynamic CpG methylation of the KCNQ1OT1 gene during maturation of human oocytes. Khoureiry R et al. BACKGROUND: Imprinted genes, many of which are involved in development, are marked during gametogenesis to allow their parent-of-origin specific expression, and DNA methylation at CpG islands is part of this epigenetic mark. Maternal imprint is apposed on oocyte during growth and maturation. Factors interfering with normal oocyte differentiation such as gonadotrophin stimulation and in vitro maturation (IVM) may possibly alter imprint resetting. METHODS: We examined the methylation of the KCNQ1OT1 differentially methylated region (KvDMR1) in human oocytes at different stages of their development: germinal vesicle (GV), metaphase I (MI) or metaphase II (MII). RESULTS: About 60% of alleles were fully methylated in GV oocytes and that full imprint is acquired in most MII oocytes. Similarly to in vivo, de novo methylation of DNA occurred in vitro during oocyte maturation. Following in vitro culture for 28 h, GV and MI oocytes are significantly more methylated when they are obtained from natural cycles than from patients undergoing gonadotrophin stimulation. CONCLUSION: This observation suggests that hyperstimulation likely recruits young follicles that are unable to acquire imprint at KvDMR1 during the course of the maturing process.
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