2024-04-30 理化学研究所,神戸大学,九州大学,科学技術振興機構
父母ゲノム別居による胚発生制御
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.riken.jp/press/2026/20260430_1/index.html
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10417-7
接合子内の別々の親前核間の細胞質競合 Cytoplasmic competition between separate parental pronuclei in zygotes
Hirohisa Kyogoku,Mitsusuke Tarama,Masahiro Matsuwaka,Tappei Mishina,Akihito Harada,Reiko Nakagawa,Mami Kumon,Yoshihiro Shimizu,Yasuyuki Ohkawa,Tatsuo Shibata,Azusa Inoue & Tomoya S. Kitajima
Nature Published:29 April 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10417-7
Abstract
Embryogenesis begins with a zygote—a single cell with two pronuclei that separately enclose maternal and paternal chromosomes. The functional significance of the separation of parental chromosomes into distinct pronuclei remains unexplored, despite the fact that one-pronuclear biparental zygotes are used clinically1,2,3. Here, using a combination of mouse zygote manipulation, quantitative imaging and theoretical approaches, we show a cytoplasm-mediated competition mechanism between separate parental pronuclei that ensures developmental potential. This mechanism limits pronuclear volume and prevents epigenetic mark dysregulation, including loss of trimethylated histones. One-pronuclear biparental zygotes lack this mechanism, resulting in a reduced rate of development to term. This low developmental potential can be partially rescued by competition-based or drug-based restoration of epigenetic marks. This study provides a spatial mechanism linking fertilization to the establishment of the full developmental potential for the next generation, highlighting caveats in clinical use of one-pronuclear biparental zygotes.
