Smart-seq2 Technology Reveals a Novel Mechanism That Zearalenone Inhibits the In Vitro Maturation of Ovine Oocytes by Influencing TNFAIP6 Expression

Toxins (Basel). 2023 Oct 17;15(10):617. doi: 10.3390/toxins15100617.

Abstract

Zearalenone (ZEN), a non-steroidal estrogenic fungal toxin widely present in forage, food, and their ingredients, poses a serious threat to animal and human reproductive health. ZEN also threatens ovine, a major source of human food and breeding stock. However, the mechanisms underlying the impact of ZEN on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of ovine oocytes remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate these mechanisms using the Smart-seq2 technology. A total of 146 differentially expressed genes were obtained, using Smart-seq2, from sheep oocytes cultured in vitro after ZEN treatment. ZEN treatment inhibited RUNX2 and SPP1 expression in the PI3K signaling pathway, leading to the downregulation of THBS1 and ultimately the downregulation of TNFAIP6; ZEN can also decrease TNFAIP6 by reducing PTPRC and ITGAM. Both inhibit in vitro maturation of ovine oocytes and proliferation of cumulus cells by downregulating TNFAIP6. These findings provide data and a theoretical basis for elucidating ZEN's toxicity mechanisms, screening therapeutic drugs, and reducing ZEN-related losses in the ovine industry.

Keywords: Smart-seq2; TNFAIP6; Zearalenone; ovine oocyte.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cumulus Cells / metabolism
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal* / toxicity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Sheep
  • Zearalenone* / metabolism
  • Zearalenone* / toxicity

Substances

  • Zearalenone
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal
  • TNFAIP6 protein, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the national natural science fund joint fund key project: National Key R&D Program of China (2021YFD1300902) and 13th Five-Year National Key Research and development plan food safety technology research and development major project (2019YFC1605705).