Nucleic acid binding, DNA binding, Transcription factor
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Cellular localization
Nuclear
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Ovarian function
Early embryo development
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A non-invasive test for assessing embryo potential by gene expression profiles of human cumulus cells: a proof of concept study. Assou S et al. Background Identification of new criteria for embryo quality is required to improve the clinical outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The aim of this study was to determine the gene expression profile of cumulus cells (CC) surrounding the oocyte as biomarkers for embryo potential and to identify genes to be used as prognostic indicators of successful pregnancy. Methods CC from single oocytes were analyzed using DNA microarrays. Gene expression profiles of CC surrounding the oocyte associated with good embryonic quality and pregnancy outcome were computed. Results We observed that CC issued from oocytes that developed into embryos with a good morphology had differing gene expression profile according to the pregnancy outcome of the embryo. We demonstrated that the expression of BCL2L11, PCK1 and NFIB in CC is significantly correlated with embryo potential and successful pregnancy. These results were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. Conclusion The gene expression profiling of human CC correlates with embryo potential and pregnancy outcome. BCL2L11, PCK1 and NFIB genes are proposed as biomarkers for predicting pregnancy. Our findings suggest a non invasive approach, offering a new potential strategy for competent embryo selection. This approach should be validated in single embryo transfer (SET) programs.