Localization of centromere proteins and their association with chromosomes and microtubules during meiotic maturation in pig oocytes

Centromere proteins (CENPs) are required for the attachment of microtubules to chromosomes. However, their structure and mechanism of action are not well understood, especially in mammalian meiosis. The present study was conducted to examine (i). whether a human nuclear centromere autoantibody can be used to localize the CENPs in pig oocytes and (ii). the dynamics of CENPs and their association with microtubules and chromosomes during meiosis in pigs. Oocytes at various stages were double-labelled for CENPs, chromosomes or microtubules and examined by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Quantification of tubulin and CENPs in the oocytes was determined by immunoblotting. CENPs were detected in all oocytes from germinal vesicle (GV) to metaphase II (MII) stages. The changes in the location were associated with chromosome movement and spindle formation. Tubulin was detected in the oocytes from GV to MII stages and no differences in content were observed. Two major CENPs at 80 kDa (CENP-B) and 50 kDa (CENP-D) were also found in the oocytes by the autoantibody and its content was significantly lower in the oocytes at GV stage compared with oocytes at other stages. These results indicate that the autoantibody used in this study can be used to detect CENPs in the kinetochores, and the proteins are expressed in pig oocytes at all stages during meiosis. As the localization of CENPs is associated with spindle formation and chromosome movement, CENPs may participate in cell cycle changes during meiosis in mammals.