PABPN1 functions as a hub in the assembly of nuclear poly(A) domains that are essential for mouse oocyte development

Abstract

Growing oocytes store a large amount of maternal mRNA to support the subsequent “maternal-zygotic transition” process. At present, it is not clear how the growing oocytes store and process the newly transcribed mRNA under physiological conditions. In this study, we report non–membrane-bound compartments, nuclear poly(A) domains (NPADs), as the hub for newly transcribed mRNA, in developing mouse oocytes. The RNA binding protein PABPN1 promotes the formation of NPAD through its N-terminal disordered domain and RNA-recognized motif by means of liquid phase separation. Pabpn1 -null growing oocytes cannot form NPAD normally in vivo and have defects in stability of oocyte growing–related transcripts and formation of long 3′ untranslated region isoform transcripts. Ultimately, Pabpn1 fl/fl ;Gdf9-Cre mice are completely sterile with primary ovarian insufficiency. These results demonstrate that NPAD formed by the phase separation properties of PABPN1-mRNA are the hub of the newly transcribed mRNA and essential for the development of oocytes and female reproduction.