Effects of PKC ζ on early genome transcription activation in mouse 1‐cell stage fertilized eggs

Abstract

Effects of PKC ζ on the activation of embryonic transcription in 1‐cell stage fertilized mouse eggs were explored. The effects of PKC antagonist calphostin C and PKC ζ specific inhibitor on the activation of embryonic early transcription were observed by Western blotting and cell immunofluorescence. PKC activity increased gradually from G₁ phase to late G₂ phase in mouse 1‐cell stage fertilized eggs, and reached a maximum in G₂ stage. Calphostin C inhibited PKC activity by about 47% in 1‐cell stage fertilized eggs. Calphostin C inhibited early transcription in 1‐cell stage fertilized eggs (p < 0.01). PKC ζ‐Thr410 in G₂ were about 27% and 110% higher than those in G₁ phase of 1‐cell stage fertilized eggs and MII oocytes, respectively. PKC ζ specific inhibitor can also inhibit early transcription in 1‐cell stage fertilized eggs (p < 0.05). The results suggest that PKC ζ participates in early transcription activation in mouse 1‐cell stage fertilized eggs. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.