ARID1A, a component of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes, is required for porcine embryo development

Mammalian embryos undergo dramatic epigenetic remodeling that can have a profound impact on both gene transcription and overall embryo developmental competence. Members of the SWI/SNF (Switch/Sucrose non‐fermentable) family of chromatin‐remodeling complexes reposition nucleosomes and alter transcription factor accessibility. These large, multi‐protein complexes possess an SNF2‐type ATPase (either SMARCA4 or SMARCA2) as their core catalytic subunit, and are directed to specific loci by associated subunits. Little is known about the identity of specific SWI/SNF complexes that serve regulatory roles during cleavage development. ARID1A, one of the SWI/SNF complex subunits, can affect histone methylation in somatic cells; here, we determined the developmental requirements of ARID1A in porcine oocytes and embryos. We found ARID1A transcript levels were significantly reduced in 4‐cell porcine embryos as compared to germinal vesicle‐stage oocytes, suggesting that ARID1A would be required for porcine cleavage‐stage development. Indeed, injecting in vitro‐matured and fertilized porcine oocytes with double‐stranded interfering RNAs that target ARID1A, and evaluating their phenotype after seven days, revealed that the depletion of ARID1A results in significantly fewer cells than their respective control groups (p < 0.001).
Source: Molecular Reproduction and Development - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research