Expression dynamics of microRNA biogenesis during preimplantation mouse development

The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in early development, and particularly in the post-transcriptional regulation of maternal mRNAs remains controversial. Hence, we have assessed how miRNA processing is regulated during preimplantation mouse development, from the fully-grown oocyte to the blastocyst, quantifying the expression of genes whose proteins are involved in miRNAs biogenesis and function. The expression of the Drosha, Dgcr8, Exportin 5, Dicer, Ago1, Ago2, Ago3, Ago4 and Ago5 genes was downregulated from the zygotic cleavage stage, except for the increase of Ago1, Ago3 and Ago4 expression in the 2-cell embryo, and of Ago2 in 4- and 8-cell embryos. These findings suggest that the capacity to process miRNAs, by the considered canonical pathway, diminishes after fertilization, primarily reducing miRNA activity in the later stages of preimplantation development. However, by analyzing the different precursor and mature forms of specific miRNAs that are abundantly expressed in the blastocyst, such as miR-292-3p and miR-292-5p, we identified miRNA-duplexes and/or miRNAs bound to target mRNAs that may serve as potential stockpiles of miRNAs. In response to the demand, such stockpile could directly provide functional and mature miRNAs.

► Genes involved in miRNA biogenesis are downregulated from the oocyte to blastocyst stages. ► However, Ago2 gene was highly upregulated in 4- and 8-cell embryos. ► Mature miRNAs could be recycled from miRNA duplex and miRNA bound to target mRNAs.