NCBI Summary:
This gene encodes a type I integral membrane protein that is localized to the trans-Golgi network, a major sorting station for secretory and membrane proteins. The encoded protein cycles between early endosomes and the trans-Golgi network, and may play a role in exocytic vesicle formation. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2011]
General function
Cytoskeleton
Comment
Cellular localization
Cytoskeleton
Comment
Ovarian function
Oocyte maturation
, First polar body extrusion
Comment
TGN38 is required for the metaphase I/anaphase I transition and asymmetric cell division during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. Chen L et al. (2014) The cellular functions of the trans-Golgi network protein TGN38 remain unknown. In this research, we studied the expression, localization and functions of TGN38 in the meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes. TGN38 was expressed at every stage of oocyte meiotic maturation and colocalized with γ-tubulin at metaphase I and metaphase II. The spindle microtubule disturbing agents nocodazole and taxol did not affect the colocalization of TGN38 and γ-tubulin. Depletion of TGN38 with specific siRNAs resulted in increased metaphase I arrest, accompanied with spindle assembly checkpoint activation and decreased first polar extrusion (PB1). In the oocytes that had extruded the PB1 after the depletion of TGN38, symmetric division occurred, leading to the production of 2 similarly sized cells. Moreover, the peripheral migration of metaphase I spindle and actin cap formation were impaired in TGN38-depleted oocytes. Our data suggest that TGN38 may regulate the metaphase I/anaphase I transition and asymmetric cell division in mouse oocytes.//////////////////