Analysis of the mechanism(s) of metaphase I arrest in strain LT mouse oocytes: participation of MOS

Oocytes of almost all vertebrates become arrested at metaphase II to await fertilization. Arrest is achieved with the participation of a protein complex known as cytostatic factor (CSF) that stabilizes histone H1 kinase activity. MOS and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) are important components of CSF. Strain LT/Sv mice, and strains related to LT/Sv, produce a high percentage of atypical oocytes that are arrested at metaphase I when normal oocytes have progressed to metaphase II. The potential role of MOS in metaphase I arrest was investigated using strain LT/Sv and LT-related recombinant inbred strains, LTXBO and CX8-4. MOS and MAPK are produced and functional in maturing LT oocytes. Two experimental paradigms were used to reduce or delete MOS in LT oocytes and assess effects on metaphase I arrest. First, sense and antisense Mos oligonucleotides were microinjected into metaphase I-arrested oocytes. Antisense, but not sense, Mos oligonucleotides promoted the activation of metaphase I-arrested oocytes. Second, mice carrying a Mos null mutation were crossed with LT mice, the null mutation was backcrossed three times to LT mice, and Mos(+/−) N3 mice were intercrossed to produce Mos(−/−), Mos(+/−) and Mos(+/+) N3F1 mice. Oocytes of all three Mos genotypes of N3F1 mice sustained meiotic arrest for 17 hours indicating that metaphase I arrest is not initiated by a MOS-dependent mechanism. However, unlike Mos(+/+) and Mos(+/−) CX8-4 N3F1 oocytes, metaphase I arrest of Mos(−/−) CX8-4 N3F1 oocytes was not sustained after 17 hours and became reversed gradually. These results, like the antisense Mos oligonucleotide microinjection experiments, suggest that MOS participates in sustaining metaphase I arrest in LT oocytes.