Knockdown of Y-box binding protein 1 induces autophagy in early porcine embryos

• Published in: Frontiers in cell and developmental biology 2023-10, Vol.11, p.1238546-1238546
• Main Authors: Jiang, Wen-Jie, Lee, Song-Hee, Heo, Geun, Chung, Hak Jae, Cho, Eun Seok, Sa, Soo Jin, Hochi, Shinichi, Cui, Xiang-Shun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: autophagy; Cell and Developmental Biology; er stress; mitochondria; pig; YBX1
• ISSN: 2296-634X; 2296-634X
• DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1238546

Y-box binding protein 1 ( ) plays important roles in RNA stabilization, translation, transcriptional regulation, and mitophagy. However, its effects on porcine preimplantation embryos remain unclear. In this study, we knocked down in the one-cell (1C) stage embryo via small interfering RNA microinjection to determine its function in porcine embryo development. The mRNA level of was found to be highly expressed at the four-cell (4C) stage in porcine embryos compared with one-cell (1C) and two-cell (2C) stages. The number of blastocysts was reduced following YBX1 knockdown. Notably, knockdown decreased the phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced kinase 1 ( ) and parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase ( ) mRNA levels. knockdown also decreased PINK1, active mitochondria, and sirtuin 1 levels, indicating reduced mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. Furthermore, knockdown increased the levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and calnexin, leading to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Additionally, knockdown increased autophagy and apoptosis. In conclusion, knockdown of decreases mitochondrial function, while increasing ER stress and autophagy during embryonic development.