Discovery of Oogenesis Biomarkers from Mouse Oocytes Using a Single-Cell Proteomics Approach

We established an efficient and simplified single-cell
proteomics
(ES–SCP) workflow to realize proteomics profiling at the single-oocyte
level. With the ES–SCP workflow, we constructed a deep coverage
proteome library during oocyte maturation, which contained more than
6000 protein groups, and identified and quantified more than 4000
protein groups from a pool of only 15 oocytes at germinal vesicle
(GV), GV breakdown (GVBD), and metaphase II (MII) stages. More than
1500 protein groups can be identified from single oocytes. We found
that marker proteins including maternal factors and mRNA regulators,
such as ZAR1, TLE6, and BTG4, showed significant variations in abundance
during oocyte maturation, and it was discovered that maternal mRNA
degradation was indispensable during oocyte maturation. Proteomics
analysis from single oocytes revealed that changes in antioxidant
factors, maternal factors, mRNA stabilization, and energy metabolism
were the factors that affect the oocyte quality during ovary aging.
Our data laid the foundation for future innovations in assisted reproduction.